The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-04
DR.. SOPER'S WIFE
GRANTED DIVORCE
Says Husband Called Her Vile Names
and Clicked Her-Usual Grist Of
DEGREES Ground Out.

Mrs. Catherine Bell Soper took the
stand In Judge Rohnert's court, Sat
urday morning, and told OF the UNI
happy life she had led as the wife OF
Or. Grant ID. Soper. OF No. 352 Mich
igan-ave The two have occupied the
same house up 10 the present, but
they have not been on speaking terms
since last October. They were mar
ried In Sandwich In 1897, by the REV.
ID. ii. Hind. Mrs. Soper, handsome
woman and stylishly attired, testined
that her husband had abused her LOT
years, called her vile names, choKeu
her, and struck her frequently. MIS-.
Soper also testified that her husband
drank to excess, and witness VINO
said she visited their home frequently,
declared she had never seen him
sober.
Mrs. Soper's mother was present
last October, she testified, when the
doctor told his wife that he no longer
loved her, and ordered her TO leave
the house and get divorce.
Mrs. Soper was granted a decree
but question OF alimony was LETT I'M
settled.
II Ethel Curtis gets a divorce from
her husband, William c., 1t will be
after being good for year. and show
ing that her reform is genuine. Mrs.
Curtis testified that her husband
abused her and did not support her.
She brought in Detectives Black and
Wilson as witnesses, 10 testify that
Curtis spent most OF his time about
disorderly resorts During the ex-
animation 1t came out that the wife
had at one time been an inmate OF d
resort, but Detective Black said she
had given up that life and was now
working for a living.
Has she lived In resort since her
marriage?' Judge Rohnert asked.
She did for short time" the of
fcer replied. but belive she is now
endeavoring to do right"
"I'll hold the case up for year.
anG If at the end of that time she
can show she has turned over new
leaf, she can have Decree declared
the court
James T. Bortle told of the shock
ne experienced one night on his re-
turn from work. TO find that his wife,
Alice. had sold all their furniture,
UOCkCl6u the iIODtAs anu SNdl ltd Ob
an extended trip about the country.
During her travels she stopped for n
time in Erie. Pa. the husband said.
where she lived with an affinity. Then
she returned 10 Detroit and begged
his forgiveness. This was granted.
and they lived together again, but
once more Mrs. Bortle deserted him.
the plaintiff said, and took up with
another man. With this new affinity
she lived on Second-ave., Porter-st.
and Macomb-st. Decree granted.
Rose Mary Cimino, a picturesque
little italian woman. took great de-
light In telling how her husband.
Thomas, had choked her, twisted her
neck and attempted 10 pull her
tongue out. Then she laughed harder
than ever as she drew from beneath
her apron a piece of wood two inches
equare and two feet long, and describ-
ed how Thomas beat her with IL un-
til she was confined to her bed for
two weeks. The only time she looked
serious was when the Judge told her
she could have divorce.
Ida NJ. Stewart, a stylishly-attired
woman from Saginaw, said that three
weeks after her marriage to James
b. Stewart I'm 1907. he left her, after
promising that he would go to Detroit
and establish a home for her. While
he was away he promised to pay her
board. Since that time he had not
contributed a cent toward her sup
port. Mrs. Stewart said, and had re-
fused many times TO provide for her.
Judge Rohnert questioned his juris-
diction in the case. as the wife lives
in Saginaw, and never lived in De
troit Her attorney. o. b. Cragg,
claimed that wife's residence is
where her husband lives, and cited
the statutes to prove his contention.
The judge took the matter under con-
sideration.
Mabel Selkirk's face didn't look as
If il had been beaten many times.
but she said il had. She testified that
William o. Selllirk blackened her
eyes at least ten times, and had beat
en- her severely about the body at
least Is times. Decree granted.
Fred Doss came into court on
crutches TO fight the request Of his
wife, Alma, that she be granted ali
mony. Doss several months ago frac
tured his hip in the shop where he
was employed, and was given $4,000
in settlement He made no objection
to his wifes suit for divorce. Mrs.
Doss testified that he had never sup
ported her before he was hurt. and
during the time he was laid up she
said she had TO work 10 keep him.
She asked for a share OF the damages
he received, but this was denied her.
She was granted divorce. however.
Other DEGREES granted were 10 Will
liam i. VS. Nina j. Earl, desertion:
Clara vs.. Louis McClintock drunken
ness and non-support; Mabel VS..
Frank Nihrenz, non-support; Goldie
VS.. William Wasserman, cruelty and
nonrsupport; Harriet vs.. Frank
Reske. cruelty and non-suDport: Her.