Gilpin observer., 1905-05-04
KEY VS.. KEY.
Interesting Divorce Case in
County Court.

Sourt Was Cdiou OeIoro Judge ASH.
baugh last Friday morning. The divor.
cans we're Harry Key and his wife, Callie
Key, both former residents OF Black
Hawk. The divorce was sought by the
wife on the grounds of non-support and
cruelty. A jury Of six, namely Bert
Seymour. Marcus Leahy, j. Borzagc, s.
A. Rank, Fred Dillon and Murdoch Nc.
Kenzie. was called. j. NJ. Seright rep.
resented the plaintiff and H. A. Hicks
the defendant.
Both the young people involved in the
suit are we'll known in the vicinity and
consequently large number of specta-
tors we're present at each session OF the
court. The testimony of Callie Key was
quite sensational and il her allegations
Of cruelty administered by the defend
ant were true she had sufficient grounds
for divorce. She was splendid wit
ness and told what seemed to be a
straight story Of her side Of the case and
the rigid cross examination OF the coun.
sci for the defendant failed to confuse
the young lady or cause her to contra.
dict the testimony adduced on direct ex-
animation in the least. According to
the statements made by Mrs. Key on the
stand her husband was about the worst
character that ever transgressed the
sacred vows Of matrimony. She assert
ed that on numerous occasions he had
struck her with his fist and these acts Of
cruelty were accompanied by profanity
OF the most vulgar kind, all of which
would throw the plaintiff in paroxysm
of fear, causing her to run hurriedly over
to the residence Of her parents and seek
protection. AT another time the young
lady alleged that Harry Key after having
struck her a severe blow had made
threats Of cutting her throat and insti
tuted vigorous seaUh for couple Of
razors which we're supposed to be in the
house, and which, had they been found
would have served as instruments with
which the defendant was going to per-
form the aforesaid surgical operation on
the jugular of the much abused plaintiff.
This threat and the murderous inteu-
tions OF the husband caused the wife un-
told misery, according to her statements,
Notwithstanding the fact that she knew
all the time that the razors we're in Den.
yer and far out Of the reach OF the en-
ragged Harry Key. The young lady also
accused defendant Of having several
guns concealed about the household
within easy range 30 that in case he ever
wanted to put his threat OF shooting her
into execution it wouldn't Inconvenience
him much to procure the weapons. To
all this abuse the plaintiff said she will
ingly submitted; that she never became
angry to such an extent she would COM
bat the cruel treatment inflicted or re-
sent the abuse; that her temper was al
ways mild and even, and Furthermore,
she always maintained quiet and peace.
full demeanor-ever loving, obedient and
faithful to her husband. Judging from
her testimony one would think her al
most infallible and her husband the most
ungrateful and inappreciative person
ever presiding at the head OF a house.
hold.
Harry Key when testifying denied all
the alleged acts Of cruelty made by the
plaintiff and said at all times he had en-
deavored to be a model, dutiful and
affectionate husband. He said he never
threatened to shoot or cut the throat Of
his wife, nor did he ever strike her with
his fist. He expressed the profoundest
love for the little four-year-old girl who
was born of the unhappy union and en-
phatically contradicted the assertions Of
his wife to the effect that he had also at
times threatend the life of the child. The
defendant attempted to justify his neg
ligence in not providing for the support
Of his family since the separation Of
himself and wife, by stating that he had
agreed to keep the woman and child
providing she would have nothing to do
with her parents and would live with
him. This the plaintiff refused to do.
The parents of Mrs. Key, according to
the testimony OF Mr.. Key, were the bono
Of contention in the marital life Of HIM
self and wife. They were everlastingly
interfering in the domestic affairs Of
their daughter and son-in-law, and
large portion OF the time Mrs. Key was
at the home Of her mother instead OF at.
tending to her home and looking after
the wants Of her family. 1t developed
during the trial that tho plaintiff on be.
coming angry at her husband over
some trivial matter had left her house
and gone to the home OF her mother.
The husband attempted to persuade her
to return home but she refused. This
together with other repeated acts OF
similar nature 80 enraged him he came
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