The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-05
THE DIVORCE COURTS
OVER TWO HUNDRED SUITS NOW
ON THE TRIAL pocKETs.
Many Causes Alleged Drunkenness,
Cruelty, Abandonment and lnfideli,y
Predoninating.

lie Sage says. 'eThe reason why SO few
marriages are happy Is because young
ladies spend their time In making nets. not
IA making cagea." However this may be, it
IS very evident that 10 Harris county the
way out Of marital infelicity IS all too fire.
qucntlg through the divorce courts An
examination OF divorce statistics In this
county affords matter FOR Interesting re-
Election.
At the beginning Of the September term
Of the Flfty-ffth district civil court, over
which Judge " Il. Wilson presiies there
had been hled for hearing in this court los
divorce suits An examination OF the docket
dIscloses the fact that sIxty-seyen Of these
suits were nled by the wife while In thir-
ty.elght cases the husband is the plhlnt,ft
In the Eleventh district civil court, over
which Judge c. E. Ashe presides, ninety six
divorce suits have been aled Flfty.nine
OF these suits were aied iy the wife and
thlrty-seven by the husband.
The total number Of suits Of every de-
scription docketed IN Judge Wilson's count
is 5a3. On Judge Ashes docket there are
s4s.
It viii thus be seen that about one-fourth
OF all the cases docketed IN both courts
are divorce suits.
About four-hfths Of the divorce suits hled
were by negroes and one.ffth by whites.
An examination OF the record OF maria D
license. however. discloses the fact that
fully four.hftha OF those who obtain license
10 marry are also negroes
A large proportion of the women petit
TONERS allege drunkenness. cruelty and
abandonment as the grounds upon which
they rely FOR the dissolution of the mar
riaee relation, while the men, as 9 rule
on the part Of those whom they formerly
led to the marriage altar.
One complainant husband represents that
he and defendant lived together only two
weeks. when defendant became restless
and dissatisfied and abandoned plaintiff,
and they have never since lived together
as mai and wife. and IN truth plaintiff
has never since seen defendant although
several years have since elapsed
/ One wife, after euumerating some 81 the
I erueltles Bhe had suffered at the hands Of
her husband continues; And your petit
tioner further SAYS that for more than
seven years there has not been "A happy day
IN domestic life owing TO her husband be.
Ing so III tempered toward her; he would
! quarrel and would not permit her TO leave
/ home, 20 that she could enjoy the liberty
/ that all others enjoyed. and when she
/ other part OF the city on business or social
/ life be would make false accusations
( against her" The same party winds up
her petition 70 the honorable Judge OF the
court with the following appeal: "Peti
TONER prays the spirit Of your soul and
I further asks that the lot in 49, be given
her as hom Sstead"
Another petitioner prays Judge Wilson
the spirit ~ his soul and further asks FOR
tho two children"
One husband accuses his wife OF "cruel
inhunan and outrageo conduct to and to.
ward plniutiT so as 10 render the further
sustaining Of the marital relations between
them nnhearahle and lnsupportahle, she be-
Ing addicted 10 drink and having an nm
governahle and exceedingly bad temper"
Ana SUI another hushnnd represents that
times, calling him in puhllc MI manner OF
hard names, and hnally threatening TO hcve
her big brother come aud XIII him, which
threat plaintiff believes will be executed