The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-04-04
NEGLECTED
HER CHILD.
Mrs. Mary Durham Drank
Heavily and Neglected
Her Duty.

! Before Judge Bail in the city
court this morning Margaret Rod
gers pleaded not guilty to the
charge of disorderly conduct. Ed
ward Jordan was the prosecuting
witness. The case was continued
until this evening in order to Sc.
cure witnesses as the defendant de-
MED that she had been on the
street.
During the course of the hearing
of the Mrs. Durham case it dcvel-
oped that there were witnesses in
the court room who were witnesses
to the disorder. Accordingly the
court ordered the case to be taken
| up at this time. John Ripperger
and Mrs. Bell testified they heard
her use badslanguaee on the street
and fine of $40 and costs was I'M
posed.
Three men who were charged
with drunkenness were fined 81 and
costs each
George Durham pleaded not
guilty to the charge of keeping a
disorderly house at No 1lSJustison
street. The Testimony was to the
effect that very bad language has
been used by Durham's wife. She
has been seen to pick up bricks
and chase her husband for several
squares. The general disorder
takes place on the street. The
neighbors are greatly disturbed
by the disorder. John Ripperger
testified that his mother who is 81
years old and his sister who is an
invalid, are disturbed by the disor-
der emanating from the house and
on the street.
Mrs. Lillian NJ. Bell of No. 1913
Justison street, testified that within
the past three months she has
heard very proLare language COM
ing from the Durham house. The
disorder occurs both day and Sht.
Mrs. Durham chased her husband
yesterday and sent bricks flying at
lively rate. The witnesses stated
that they never heard Durham's
voice in the house. The disorder
has continued off and on fUr the
past year.
Durham stated that he has been
hard working man and tries to
support his family. He has done
his part by his wife and children.
The court said that the man is the
head of the house and is therefore
accountable for what goes on in the
house. A fine of $50 and costs was
imposed upon Durham and the
court said that it would prefer to
impose fine for disordcrly conduct
on his wife.
Mary Durham was then charged
with placing the lie of Earl Wal
burnc in jeopardy. Agent Stout
testified that the child's mother
was brought in drunk. He went |
into the house this morning and
found that the rooms upstairs were
filthy. The bed clothes were in
terrible condition. She has been
arrested OH a former occasion.
Durham is her second husband.
She has been under the care of the
S. p. c. G. since she was Is years
Of age.
Sergeant Kelleher testified that
when he went to her house he found
it in very filthy condition. He has
known the defendant for eight
years. John Rippergcr repeated
the testimony given in the previous
case. He does not consider that
she is proper person TO take care
Of the child. Matron Wogan tcsti-
fed that the little boys body was
filthy and his clothes were black
with filth.
The court imposed fined of $50
and costs and committed the child
to the S. p. c. c.
Dr. Harris testified that AlcXan-
der Boyer, colored, was man who
is very much in love. In his opion-
ion Boyer's mind was all right.
Boyer was held in peace bond Of
sl6O.