The Washington times., 1901-12-27
DIVORCE RUSH
RECOMMENDS.
Five New Cases Filed Here
Yesterday.
DBSBRTION THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE.
Abandonment Alleged in Majority
of Recent Petitions-When the
New Code Goes Into Effect Sepa-
rations May Be Granted Only
Upon Biblical Conceptions.

Five petitions for divorce we're filed
yesterday in the Supreme Court Of the
District. in three of which the complain
ants are the wives. and desertion and
cruelty are the grounds upon which the
separations are asked.
Mrs Elizabeth Checks declares in her
petition for separation that her husband.
Thomas Cheeks. has practically deserted
her since their wedding day. They we're
married at Alexandria, Va, July 6. 1899.
and as they turned from the altar Mrs.
Cheeks says her husband informed her
that he had not provided any home for
her. She then returned to this city to her
home
Wife Alleges Inconsistency.
About two weeks later she states her
husband came to her and lived with her
ior three or four days, and then left her.
and has since remained away. She SAYS
that he is now residing in Philadelphia.
Since this marriage Mrs. Cheeks declares
that her husband has contributed only
about S25 toward her support and main
tenanee. Blackstone & Flora are named
as her counsel.
A Matrimonial Gordinn Knot.
The District courts are now engaged in
unraveling the matrimonial tangIe woven
by Albert E. Dueil, Mrs. Phoebe A. Duell.
and Mrs. Fannie II. Duen lfr. Duelrs
position is rather unique. Ii believed at
one time that he had securel a divorce
from Mrs. Phoebe a. Duell in the Chicago
courts. and, later. did obtain one from
her in the District of Columbia. After
having been advised that he had been
granted divorce in Chicago he married
FANNIE II. Seeley. So 1t is that he was
married to two women, both OF whom are
living and from one Of whom he believes
he was twice divorced.
Proceedings for divorce were instituted
by Mr.. Duell against Mrs. Phoebe A.
DueIi' VINO Is wife No. /, and proceed
decree granted her husband annulled.
On December Il. 1900 Mr.. DuelI was
granted divorce in the local courts from
his wife, Mrs. Phoebe A. BUELL., on the
ground of desertion. and in July last she
filed bill asking that it be set aside.
because she was not given an oppor-
tunity TO make a defence and also alleges
that there were irregularities In tie pro-
ceedings- Because of these mistakes. she
says. her hG.sSand was granted a divorce.
willing to Fight Suit Again.
Mr.. Duell states that he does not claim
his divorce on account of this mistake.
does not stand on the decree already
granted him, but is willing to fight the
matter over again before the courts. and
/ hp n
the ground Of desertion.
Seventeen years ago Mr. Duel1 sought di-
vorce from his vie in the courts Of Chi
cago. and employed counsel, who, he says.
informed him that he had zen granted
a decree of separation from his wife.
On the strength OF this statement Mr
I Duell says that in 1885 he was married
/ to Fannie II. Seeley at Auburn. ". Y. It
was not until then, Mr.. DueII declares.
1 that he discovered he tad been defrauded
/ by the Chicago lawyers.
Upon learning his mistake he declares
: that he applied for divorce from Mrs.
| Duell No. l. in the local courts. which
was granted him on December H. 1900.
J Immediately after this he says he and
Mrs Duell No. went to Rockville. Nd.
and we're remarked. Then, when wife No
Z l filed a petition to have the decree grant
ed him in the local court annulled. h, filed
I his answer and also a cross-bilI asking
again for divorce.
Is Afraid of Her Spouse.
Mrs. Lucy Simms says her husband
Jacob Simms, always slept with a razor
and a pistol under his pillow. and that
she is in constant fear that be Will kill
her. Yesterday she asked for a divorce
| If h.. aF nd
| desertion
J Mrs. simms also declares that The de-
fendant often ieat and kicked her in
1 such manner as to endanger her health.
| She is represented by Edward G. Niles as
counsel.
Alleged Cruelty of Husband.
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Ennis filed petition
for divorce against John E. Ennis on the
grounds of cruelty and non-support Chase
Rcys is NAMED as counsel for the
petitioner.
william B. LYDIA filed a petition for dl-
| yorce against May c. LYDIA on the ground
OF desertion. They were married in 1887
and lived together until 1899 r. L. JEFF
| fords is named as counsel for the petit
| toner.
Papers Not to he Published.
( william l.. Masterson instituted pro-
ceedings for divorce against Claudia F.
/ Masterson. and Justice Barnard, at the
request Of Attorney Niles. ordered that
the papers in the case be placed in the
safe in the office of the clerk OF court.
Justice Bradley yesterday granted
! James H. Cross a divorce from Catherine
J. Cross on the ground OF desertion. sam
,sz' .. Truitt appeared as counsel for the
complainant.
wouId Resume Maiden Name.
Mrs. Martha d. schlosser FLED a bill for
| divorce against her soldier husband. Rob
ert +. Schlosser. stating that the defend
ant deserted her in April %, 1898. and
| went to Manila r. l., where she believes
! he now resides.
| Since leaving her. Mrs. Schlosser de-
/ clares, her husband his failed to con-
| tribute to her support and maintenance.
| and she asks permission OF the court 10
resume her maiden name. Martha D.
~. 80. asal