Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-11-14
Sensational Divorce Complaint Filed
By Mrs. Charles f. Porter For
merly of PhiIbrook.
DEMANDS BIG SUM OF MONEY
Prominent Young Ferrous Comfy
RanChman the Oefeudent---Mar-
rled but Two Years ago.

Mr.. Charles T.. Porter a prominent
young ranchman of Philbrook, has
been made the defendant in a sensa-
tional divorce proceeding, the com.
plant Of which was filed in the dist
rict court Of Cascade county last Sat
urday. Mr.. Porter was married In
Kansas City last March. the wedding
having followed short acquaintance
with young lady Of the Kaw town.
The friends of Mr.. Porter In
this city assert that the young man is
being made the victim Of blackmail-
ing scheme and that when his side OF
the case Is heard, it will be found that
the charges Of extreme cruelty, alleg-
ed by his wife, will be proven princi-
pally fictitious. The account OF the
complaint as given in the Great Falls
Tribune Of yesterday Is as follows:
According to the divorce complaint
filed In the suit Of Mayme Il. Porter
against Charles e. Porter, the honey
moon Of the couple was rather o
strenuous one. The defendant in tie
case is well known business man
and stockgrower of Fergus county. 1t
is alleged in the complaint that he is
the owner Of valuable ranch, that he
has an interest in hardware store at
Moore, and also is the owner of a liv-
cry stable at the same place. The
plaintiff also alleges that he has large
holdings in cattle. horses and sheep.
has money In the bank and is worth
more than $25,O0O
According to the complaint Mr.. and
Mrs. Porter were married in Kansas
City March 49, 1905, and went to the
ranch Of Mr.. Porter at Philbrook to
live. In little less than four months
or on July II last. the allegation is the
defendant drove the plaintiff from his
home and by repeated acts of cruelty
made 1t impossible foe her to live with
him.
The complaint also sets forth a long
list of alleged acts Of cruelty. The
plaintiff AYERS that before the honey
moon was two weeks old the defend
ant forced her to work in the field as
a farm hand, and while she was work.
ing her husband forced her to go with
out food. Then there is an allegation
That on divers and sundry days the
defendant struck her and made her
nose bleed and blacked her eyes.
'inched her and maltreated her In
many ways"
Then follows an allegation that Nav
10 last the defendant drove the plain |
.iff from home and shut the door in |
ler face. She says she went to her
leighbors for shelter and protection,
md she was forced to return to the
home of her parents in Kansas City.
After she had been there six months
she alleged she received $50 from her
with a request that she re-
urn home, and a promise that things |
would be different and more pleasant |
or her. The plaintiff Immediately re-
urned, but according to the com
'laint her treatment was worse than
he alleges it had been previously.
She alleges that the defendant said
le did not intend she should return.
nd he sent the money under the ad-
ice of lawyer and he thought she
you'd not return, and then he could
ct divorce upon the grounds of de-
ertion.
Then the allegation is that June q
he defendant forced the plaintiff to
0 out into the cold in her bare feet
n the ground to a spring for water,
nd the trip made her sick. The next
ay while she was washing some
lothes. the allegation is that the de-
endant threw pail of water on the
laintiff. July /, while at the supper
able, the defendant is alleged to have
CURED hot tea upon her shoulders and
Iistered them. On another occasion
e Is alleged to have pulled a chair
'om under her. SO she fell with great
'rce upon the floor
Then the allegation is that July
he defendant attempted to drown the
aintiff in fish pond on his premises .
nd actually pushed the plaintiff into ]
le pond and told one of his hired {
an to push her into the pond so she
ould drown.
July II it is alleged the defendant ]
abbed the plaintiff in the hand with .
pair of scissors, and repeatedly ,
reatened to kill her
Then 1t is alleged that plaintiff was {
reed by the defendant to go to Lew ]
town with him. and while there he
We her $50, ostensibly to buy a dress,
1t he told her to take the money and /
ave Lewistown and go by the next {
ain to Denver and stay there for S