The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-01


There is more than ordinary
pathos in the charge of abandonment
preferred against William Birtch by
his wife. AS a rule, the runaway
husbands who appear in the local
courts are young men, who tire OF
their wives after a short period OF
married life. In the case of Birtch,
conditions are much. different. In
stead of the usual youthful offender.
he is a man of SO, with 46 years OF
married life. Physically he appears
none too robust and he says his age
Is preventing him from holding posi-
tions. He is said to be an expert
finisher and general handy man
around furniture store.
Mrs. Birtch, the complaining wit
ness, Is SO years old and the mother
OF Ave children. She was born on a
farm near Strathroy, Ont. When six
years old her mother died. Her father
broke up housekeeping and she went
to live with an aunt.
Meets Her Fate.
At the age OF 10 she went to Port
Huron, Mich, and learned the millin-
cry business. After a year in Port
Huron, she secured a position in
millinery store In Port Sanilac, Mich.
Here she met her fate" While at
a party she was introduced to Billy"
Birtch. She was then 16 years old.
A year later she married Birtch.
Their life was a happy one for 40
years. 1hey raised their little family
of five and saw them all happily mar
ried. Four or five years ago, when
they were comfortable and happy in
Port Huron, where Birtch was en-
ployed in furniture store, the first
rumblings Of their domestic storm
were heard. Birtch suddenly got out
of work and came to Detroit, where
he soon secured another position.
From the time her husband got out
of work In Port Huron he has not
provided for her as a husband should,
Mrs. Birtch vows. She sets forth that
she has been obliged to live with her
daughter in Toledo much of the time;
that her husband declined to provide
accommodations for her when he had
work on different occasions, and that
she had to go to work herself to make
a living. Moreover, she declares that
when he did take care of her for
short periods while he had work in
Detroit, he would absent himself
from home on Sundays, remaining
away until early Monday morning.
She suspected that he was spending
his leisure time with a widow, who
formerly lived In Port Huron, and
when she accused him Of such con-
duct she says he abused her with his
tongue. An adopted boy, whom she
was raising, can bear her out in this
and other things, she says.
Wife independent Now.
In the past four or Ave years Mrs.
Birtch has worked in different places.
She was in charge OF the linen room
In the Morgan house, Detroit, on two
occasions, and was employed as
cook in the home of Mr.. Dillon. to-
bacco manufacturer, last winter. This
summer she was with a family at
summer resort. She has been able
to save a little money and is indie
pendent, 80 far as her husband is
concerned, she says. Her independ-
ence is not going TO prevent her from
trying to punish her husband, she
AYERS.
Il found that my husband was in
Detroit when l returned to the city
short time ago." said Mrs. Birtch to
The Times, "and l determined to
swear out a warrant for his arrest
am strong and Independent now, hav-
ing recovered from severe illness
and breakdown of a couple Of years
ago, and I will now try to get along
without my husbands support /
could not have had hih arrested a
few years ago, because of my love
for him, but he has killed that love,
and l now feel bitter toward him. He
begged for leniency when | saw him
on Saturday in court. but I stunned
his proffered hand. I told him | was
through with him. Time has changed
me entirely toward him.
wouFF Punish other Woman.
II am disappointed that cannot
get after that woman. too. She Is the
serpent who has broken up my home,
and / think Athe law ought to be able
TO reach hek. but the police justice
says she is kree from prosecution"
l Mrs. BirtchA a white-haired woman