The times., 1899-04-17
REVOKED DIVORCE
CAUSES SURPRISE
Mrs. Virgins Says She Will
Reopen tht Case.
The Reversed Decision Made known
to Her Yesterday.
She Admits That Her Husband Free
qucntiy Visited Her While the
Matter Was Pending.

III is very likely that there will be some
startling developments in connection with
the Virgins divorce proceedings within
the next few days. Mrs. Margaret Wig
gins, who was on last Wednesday. granted
divorce from her husband by Justice c.
c. Cole, presiding in Equity Court No. 2,
of the Supreme Court of the District and
which was three days later revoked by the
same justice, returned 10 the city last
evening from Maryland, where she vent
on Saturday on visit to her mother. She
knew nothing of the reverse action of the
court in her case, until informed by re-
porter for The Times, who called on her
soon after her arrival.
The circumstances connected with the
divorce proceedings in which Mrs Wig
gins was the petitioner in brief are: On
December so last, she filed petition for
divorce from her husband, John Virgins,
alleging desertion and non support as the
cause for the suit. Testimony was taken
and submitted to the court which. after
reviewing it. granted the petitioner de-
cree of divorce on Wednesday last The
granting of the decree was announced in
the local newspapers and on the day fol-
lowing Dr. J. F. Collins, who resides
next door to Mrs. Virgins, wrote a let
ter TO Justice Cole, who granted the di-
vorce, stating that he had good reason to
know that Mrs. Virgins husband had rot,
as she alleged, deserted her, but on the
contrary, has frequently visited her at
her home, 1903 Third Street before and
since she filed her petition for divorce
Upon receiving this letter Justice Cole
sent for Mr.. ]. j. Dolan, Mrs. Virgins
attorney. on Saturday. and after confer
ence on motion of her counsel the decree of
divorce granted on Wednesday was va
Gated and revoked.
Mrs. Virgins seemed very much sur
prised that the decree of divorce granted
her should have been revoked, especially
as she said, upon the unfounded and un-
supported statement of person who is en-
tireiy Ignorant of the circumstances of the
case. as is DR.. Collins, who wrote the letter
to Justice Cole. She said she had no idea
that there was anyone who wished to do
her such an injustice as has been done her
in this instance. Mrs. Virgins refused 20
make detailed statement of the facts in
the case further than was printed in The
Times yesterday in connection with her
complaint at the time of the filing OF her
petition for divorce from her husband.
John Virgins. In reference to the state
ments of DR.. j. F. Collins, her next door
neighbor, and others, to the effect that
her husband was frequent visitor at her
home at No. 1903 Third Street for long
time before and during the pendency of
her suit for divorce, she said she never de-
In fact, she said she always admitted it.
for there was no reason why she should
deny that Mr. Virgins visited his chill
dren. She also said that she could not
imagine why DR.. Collins interested himself
IN the matter unless he was prompted by
a spirit of vindictive malice About eigh-
teen months ago. she said when she want
ed to speak to him on a matter of busi-
ness he snubbed her. and that she has not
spoken to him since that time
Mrs. Virgins also admitted the truth of
the statement that her husband had fre-
quently remained at her house from Friday
evening until Monday morning Very
often on these occasions she declares she
would be absent from home and whenever
she was at home she and her husband
occupied separate rooms.
Mrs. Virgins said that her husband
deserted her in June, 1896, but as mat
ter of fact ceased to contribute to her sup
port in 1898. She was a teacher in the
city public schools when she married Wig
gins in 1855 and he was employed in the
Patent Office. They soon afterward moved
to Kansas, where she again taught school
in 1883. In 1890. she having won a posi-
ton in the Census Office. through a com
petitive examination before the Civil Ser
vice Commission, returned to Washington
to hill the place. She remained there until
1882, when she was transferred to the
Pension Office. where she has been employ
ed since.
Mrs. Virgins is woman of about forty
years OF age, and seemed TO feel keenIy
the very embarrassing position in which
she has been placed. The news of the re-
vocation of the decree of divorce granted
her was a shocking surprise to her. and
while with a. natural dignity she refused
to discuss the minor details of the case.
she evinced a determination 10 prosecute
the matter TO the bitter end. She stated
that she would call upon her attorney to-
day preparatory to Offering additional evil
dence in support of the charges she has
made