The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-12
Sensational Divorce Suit of an
Illinois Couple.
WIFE CONFINED IN AN ASYLUM.
William II. Parlin, Richest Man In
Eastern Illinois, Wants n separa-
tion on Ground That His Wife Is
JncurabIy Insane-Brother says
the Woman May He Cured-Hus-
band Insists on Her Being Held.

The suit of william H. Parlin against
Mary V. Pariin, now pending in the su-
perior court, in which the husband seeks
n divorce on the ground OF the fncurapie
insanity OF the wife, promises to abound
in sensational features and 10 be one OF
the most bitterly contested cases ever tired
In King county.
The great wealth and prominence Of the
plaintiff. who Ia reputed TO be the rich
est man in Eastern Illinois, and the TACT
that the defendant, who is now confined
in an insane asylum at Batavia ILL.,, IS
q member of one of the best families IN
Chicago, and a sister-in-law Of Congress
man Abner Taylor, OF Illinois. makes the
case ono Of interest. The array Of legal
talent, consisting OF three laws firms in
Seattle and two in. Chicago, retained by
the iitigants. Indicates that the courts OF
last resort In both Washington and Him
OILS will probably be appealed to before
the case is finally disposed Of.
In n petition filed in the superior
court yesterday by Margaret A. Bah
cock. OF Chicago. through the law firm
OF McNeny g. Stern, attorneys for the
petitioner. II IL represented to the court
that Mrs. Babcock is the mother of the
defendant, Mrs. Parlin. and desires to con-
duct and control the defense in the d.
vorce suit. The petition sets up that some
three months ago, at the Instance of the
conservator OF the estate OF Mrs. Parlin
In Illinois, and that Wade retained a local
firm OF lawyers to file an answer In the SUI
perior court on behalf Of Mrs. Parlin, TO
the complaint for divorce
The petitioner alleges that the appoint
ment OF Wade as conservator in Illinois
was procured by Parlin for the express
purpose OF furthering his efforts TO secure
divorce in this state, and that the inter-
ests and welfare of the defendant are not
safe In the hands Of Wade. the latter be-
ing under the influence OF Parlin. The
petitioner prays that the answer OF Wade
he stricken from the files and that she,
as tho mother. be allowed TO file an answer
IN the divorce suit on behalf Of her daugh-
ter, and to take complete charge of her
defense.
Wife Sent to nm Asylum.
Af9davlts made In Chicago by the mother
and brother of the defendant are attached
10 the petition. From these II appears that
Mary v. Babcock was married to Parlin
In 1878, ut Canton. Ill. In 1850, a result
Of maternity Mrs. Parlin became dement,
ed and was placed In an asylum at Bata-
via by her husband, in which asylum she
has been confined ever since. The claim
Of Parlin that the insanity OF his wife
Is inourahle is denied by her relatives.
According to their afndavits Parlin has
neglected to place her under treatment
likely to effect n cure For twenty years,
they say. she has been confined in the
Institution In which Pariin first placed her
"A private asylum for profit and gain. This
asylum. II is claimed receives an income
OF 81 800 year from Parlin for the care
Of his wife. and therefore Is interested
that she remain there and not be dis
charged
The afndavits go on to relate the story
Of a brothers. devotion TO an unfortunate
and afflicted sister, In 1897. II Ii alleged,
Charles ID, Babcock. brother of the de-
PENDANT and prosperous merchant I'm
Chicago, withdrew himself from his bust
ness and took a minor position In the
Illinois state asylum for the insane. at JEFF
fereon. for the solo purpose of studying
the various forms of insanity and their
cure. 30 that he might better serve the
cause of his sister.
After a year OF study among the 100
inmates OF that institution and after con-
sultation with the leading specialists on
insanity In tho state. with whoIa he came
In contact In the course OF his employ
ment. he left the asylum convinced he
alleges, that with a change OF location
treatment and surroundings his sister
could ultimately be- restored 20 reason
When. however, tho family requested Par
Inns permission TO remove his wife from
tho institution which had failed TO effect
"a cure after thirteen years OF treatment. in