The Detroit times., 1910-10-22
MARRIED FILIPINO
G|Rt TO sAvELIFE,
SOLDIER SAYS
spaniard Who Fought Against
Dewey At Manila, Then Joined
American Army, Tsns Dramatic
Story Of Wedding.
Never Lived With Bride and Court
After Hearing Tale Grants An
Annulment.

An intensely interesting tale OF the
courtship and marriage OF Thomas
Morales. spaniard who fought In
the Spanish navy against Dewey nj
Manila bay. and later joined ;he
American army and helped drive the
Spanish ont Of the Philippines, was
told In Judge Rohnerts court, Satur.
day morning, when he appeared to
have his marriage with Julia Lorenzo
annulled.
Morales was born In Malaga, Spain,
and at an early age joined the Span.
ish navy. He was assigned to yes.
sci In the fleet at Manila, and was on
one of the ilLfated vessels anchored
In the harbor when Dewey sailed in.
Morales was captured, and held as q
prisoner Of war. On his promise TO
join the American army he was re-
leased, and fought throughout the bal
ance of the war against his fellow
countrymen, he says. He was trans
ferred to Fort Wayne with his regi-
ment, the 26th Infantry. In July, 1909,
and has been In Detroit stree that
time.
Morales says that, In common with
the rest of the soldiers. he paid at
tention to Filipino girl, ami spent a
great deal OF his spare time In her
home. This. he said. was known and
permitted by her mother without re.
monstrance, but he says nothing was
ever said about marriage. He went
to see the girl as usual one beautiful
evening In June, 1908, and along ahont
midnight, when he was entertaining
her with tales of his prowess on the
battlefield, the door was burst open,
and In rushed the girls mother armed
with q club, her brother carrying a
bolo. and her brother-in-law flashing
a large pair Of shears. The bolo, Mo-
tales explained, Is a long-bladed knife
with which the natives do 9rsnt exc
cation IN battle.
The men seized me-" Morales ie-
clared dramatically. "and told me that
unless I married the girl mt daybreaH
they would kill me. was sick with
fear because knew they would do It.
Fiiipinos think nothing OF plungtng
those knives into q mans back, and
to save my life promised 70 niarry
her at daybreAk. Th6 next morning
we were taken to the church and were
married, but never lived with her
afterward. They also made me sign q
paper giving to my wife part OF my
wages from the government. but after
the officers had investigated the case
they took II away from her"
"I understand those Filipinos are
pretty girls" Judge Rohnert said ban
teringly.
"Oh. no. they are not" the little
soldier exclaimed excitedly. They
are not as nice as our Detroit girls.
intend to make this my home and
get married here"
II suppose you Spanish soldiers
cheered when Dewey came into
Manila?"
mo we didn't, we fought as hard
as we could. but 1t did no good"
Two companions OF Morales told
what they knew OF the marriage.
They were not present at the cere-
mony, but both remembered that on
the morning following the threats.
Morales came. into the barracks
trembling with fear, and told what
had happened.
Judge Rohnet granted the petition
and annulled the marriage on the
ground that II was brought about by
threats.
Other DEGREES granted were to Ber-
tram vs. George Johnston, cruelty;
Antoinette vs. William d. Rumsey, de-
sertion; Lillian vs. Emil Hirt, deser-
ton: Mary vs.. James Ash, drunken
ness and nonsupport; William Vs.
Violet K. Chapman, desertion; Almira
vs. Fred Wickham, drunkenness;
Clarine w. vs.. Elbridge Bacon. cruel
ty.