The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-08

Up in priceburg the commercial in
stinct is evidently very strong among
the residents. The sale of a wife by
one man to another apparently causes
no particular Commotion even when the
price is as low as $2j.
During the trial Of an assault and
battery case before Judge Edwards
yesterday it came out incidentally that
the prosecutriX, Mrs. Phoebe Van Mort,
had been sold by her former husband
William f.. Marcy, to John Van Mort
for S25. The Marcys were never d.
VorCcd but on the strength of the sale
she was married to Van Mort and has
lived with him ever since last Fcbru
airy as his wife.
Mrs. Van Mort is about IS years Of
age and not exceptionally attractive.
Van Mort is a boyish-looking fellow Of
twenty-five, and Marcy has crossed the
forty line. They are all apparently
people of ordinary Intelligence and
average rcspectabiity. In court yes
terday they spoke of the sale as if it
was the most ordinary and common
place transaction in the world.
When Marcy and his wife separated
their little daughter remained in the
| custody of the father and was by him
taken to the house of Mrs. Susan Ep-
plyman, where he had decided to board.
One day Mrs. Marcy wanted to see her
daughter and went to the Epplyman
| residence.
HIT WITH A STONE.
! Her husband refused to grant her
! permission and while they We're quar-
! relling about the matter Mrs Marcy
! Van Mort says that Mrs. Epplyman
came from behind and hit her on the
! head with a stone. That was the cause
Of the assault and battery prosecution.
When the prosecutrix was on the
stand yesterday she said in response to
questions of Hon. John p. Kelly, who
| appeared for the defense, that after
she left Marcy she married John Van
| Mort.
Did you secure divorce from
Marcy?" asked Mr.. Kelly.
mo indeed" replied Mrs. Marcy-Var
Mort.
WAS there a bill of sale or anything
of that kind?" persisted Mr.. Kelly.
20 yes, there was a bill of sale al
right" replied Mrs. MarcyVan Nor
with great composure and no little sat
lsfaction. Marcy sold me to Van Nor
Tor S2o ana got MS receipt.
This reply fairly staggered the cour
and everyone within hearing. 1t wal
thought that possibly Mrs. Marcy-Val
Mort had misunderstood the question
and Marcy was called to the stand. H,
blandly acknowledged having sold hi
wife but denied receiving the $25 re
ferred to by his wife.
THE bill of sale specifies $25 as tn
sum, does it not?" queried Mr.. Kelly.
Il know it does" answered Marcy
but did not get it,"
why was it put in the bill, then?
asked the attorney.
My wife thought it would look bet
ter in the eyes of the neighbors and tn
law if $25 was mentioned. 1t woul
give the bargain better standing, yol
know"
BILL OF SALE PRODUCED.
John Van Mort, the boyish looking
husband No. was then called to tn
stand.
Il suppose you have the bill of sal
for your wife," Mr.. Kelly ventured t
remark.
Sure" was the prompt reply.
Have you got it with you?"
/ Fright here" and the witness tappe
; his vest pocket significantly.
Would you mind producing it?"
Not at ALL" and Van Mort wen
, down into his vest pocket and brough
forth the bill of sale of which the fol
/, lowing is an exact copy:
february IS 1873
; | hear BY William T. marcy give al
came on my wife Phoeby Marcy and Sci
, the same to John van mort for the Sun
of % dollars.
Sined John van mort,
Sam COrriS
Phebe Marcy
VIM E.marcy
The assault and battery phase of tn
. case which had been quite lost sigh
, of during these sensational develop
! ments was resumed and Mrs. Epply
7 man was returned not guilty and tn
, costs placed on the proseCutriX. Sh
| rnuld NOT nav but her attorney w