The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-10-12
That is Report Emanating From the
District Court Circles Today
For It is Said Petition
VIII be Filed.
DROP ADULTERY CHARGE
Understood that Witch VIII Waive
Service and Accept Jurisdiction
Of Court, Thus Fastening
Decree.

With the probable filing of a suit
for divorce by Mrs. Witch in the
district court it is said that the grand
fury will discontinue it's probe into
the adultery charge against George
Witch. 1t is understood that a petit
ton has been drawn for Mrs. Witch
by her attorney in the matter, and
that the defendant will waive service
and notice and submit to the iuris-
diction of the court. The grounds for
divorce will be cruel and in human
treatment and adultery, it is said.
Mr.. and Mrs. Witch have a seven
year-old daughter, Florence Marie,
the custody of whom the mother will
ask. Certain property owned by Mr..
Witch will be asked for in whole or
in part, also money for the support
of the child until of age and $4,000,
alimony. The prosecuting attorney
may, If he sees fit, continue the prose
cution on an adultery charge after it
is instituted in lower court, even if
the wife declines to do so and seeks a
divorce as will likely result, but it
is reported that no prosecution will
follow in the present case.
Indictment of Davis.
The Indictment of Sam Davis. col
ored, by the grand jury, in partial re-
port made late yesterday afternoon,
will lead to the prosecution in a case
that is probably unparalleled in local
criminal matters, because of it's
length. Davis is indicted for wife de-
sertion and will enter plea on Sat
urday Davis was arrested several
years ago for desertion and non-sup-
port of his wife. He spent several
months in the city Jail and later ap-
peared for trial before judge Bur-
rows, who bound him over to the
grand jury. That body Investigated
his case and he was permitted to go
free II he paid SO much each week to
the maintenance of his wife and child
He failed to comply with this prom
ise. Later his wife obtained a divorce
and court ordered Davis to pay So a
week for the support of his child
This he also failed to do and several
subsequent grand juries Investigated
his case but did not return an indict-
ment Davis making more promises,
which he failed to live up to. One of
the grand jurors promised him work,
but Davis failed to show up for duty.
Tired of the case the county attorney
resolved to dispose of it. His indict-
ment yesterday will necessitate him
standing trial and will probably re-
suit In a year in the penitentiary,
which is the maximum penalty.
Trial of the case of Martin Murphy
vs. W. w. Thomas was resumed in
the district court this afternoon at 2
O'Clock. The petit jury hearing the
case was excused during the morning
session of court, owing to the enforc-
ed absence of Arthur Knight, one OF
the witnesses, who was in Quincy at.
tending the sick bed of his aged moth
er, who is near death.
The will of Gust Milen, deceased,
was admitted to probate.
Final report in Louis Garth estate
approved
Attorney R. N. Johnson of Fort Mad
lson has business at the district court
today c. G.. Weber, deputy county
attorney of Fort Madison. assisted in
the grand jury room during the day.
Unless the grand jury brings in
true bill that will require jury trials
lor the indicted persons, the Murphy
ihomas case will be the last work for
.he petit jurors during the present
Term OF court, which will be conclua,
ed next week.