Evening journal., 1914-05-27
Across THE ocean
TO SEEK SUPPORT
Mrs. Black, OF Ireland, Again
Accuses Husband, Dis
missed Yesterday
HIS STATEMENT He
THOUGHT HER DEAD

In City Court today, William Black
pleaded not guilty to a charge Of nom
support of his wife and child.
Black is alleged to have left his
wife. Mrs. Margaret Black, in
Ireland, eleven years ago, and was
located by Mrs. Black here several
weeks ago. A charge of higamy
against Black was dropped in City
Court yesterday because Assistant
City Solicitor Lynn said he could not
prove Blacks marriage to his al
legged second wife in this city. Mrs.
Black, the first wife. then caused
Blacks arrest on a charge of nom
support. After hearing testimony
Judge Churchman deferred his de-
eision until Saturday.
Mrs. Black, in court today, testified
hat she and Black were married in
he York Street Presbyterian Church,
Belfast, Ireland, in 1903. She pro-
iuced a certified copy of the marriage
certificate but Philip l.. Garrett, who
appeared for Black, objected to its
she sent to Belfast for it over two
years ago. The stamp on the certifi-
cate bears the date, September Is,
1913. Mr.. Garrett contended that on
y the original marriage certificate
could be offered as evidence. Judge
Churchman, however, ruled that the
paper is record of the marriage rec
lrds of the church.
Mr.. Garrett again objected to the
admission of this certified copy of the
marriage record as he had not had a
,hance to examine w. A. Watson, the
'egister. The paper was finally ad-
nitted in evidence.
Mrs. Black then testified that after
,eing married she worked as a weav-
ar. Their house was damaged by
ire. she said, and for a time after
ward she and her husband lived with
Blacks mother. Later she went TO
her mothers house, where their baby
WAS born. Mrs. Black said her hus-
band did not go to her mothers home
With her. and never visited her at the
house. Mrs. Black said her husband
sent her word that he was going to
America. She had not seen him in
zen years until he was arrested here
The child is now over ten years of
age. Mrs. Black said she had made
several efforts to find Black, going 10
Canada, to Rochester, n Y, to Chi
eagO, H., and then to Virginia. From
Virginia she came TO Wilmington, she
said
In cross-examination, Mrs. Black
saic that two years ago. while in
Chicago. she learned that her hus-
band had been in Newport News
Three weeks ago she came to VIII
mington and Black was arrested. The
child is in Chicago. Mrs. Black
said she has no means of support, ex.
sept the $40 she earns monthly.
Mrs. Mary Neeson testified that she
has known Black for nine wears. She
said he is the father of five children by
her daughter. Witness said Black is a
maehinist at the jackson and Sharp
Company plant of the American Car
and Foundry Company.
Chief of Police Black testified that
he caused Blacks arrest.
Charles McCool testified he is a ma
rhinist and the average salary of a ma
ehinist is Sl5 a week
William Black, the defendant. was
called to the stand and recounted his
experiences after being married, includ-
ing the fire and his wife leaving him
and going TO her mothers home. He
said he left Ireland in April, 1904, and
went to Glasgow. While there he said
he heard from "A iournevman named Nc
Claim that his wife had died in Canada.
He said his wife had never made de-
mand ON him for support. He admitted
that he had made no efforts to corrobo-
rate AcClain's letter telling about his
wife's death. He said he had not seen
his child before he left Belfast
Mr.. Garrett then brought up the
question of presumption that Black be-
iieved his wife was dead. He claimed
that diligence was not used by the wife
to find Black. In reviewing the case
Judge Churchman remarked that the
testimony of the husband and the wife
did not agree on some points at issue.
The Court remarked that Black had
evidently made no inquiry regarding
his wife and child and that the wife
with her energy and intelligence,
had searched for her husband and
now asks for support. The hard
ships in such cases, the Court re-
marked. fall on other people. The
Court then continued the case until
Saturday morning. Black being held
under bond for his appearance at that
time. Judge Chui Gilman remarked
that to release Black on probation
until Saturday might raise a serious
question. The Court remarked that
not only has Black a wife and child
but he also has five other children
whom he is bound to support. The
Court felt that as the defendant had
run away from ireland, he might
leave here, too, then both women
would be deserted and the children
left TO charity. The wife, the Court
said, is the only lawful wife of the
defendant, and she and her child are
entitled to primary consideration
The Court then ordered Black to
furnish bond for lis appearance on
Saturday.
Assistant City Solicitor Lynn and
Chief Of Police Black are having
made search OF records in New
York City to try to establish the mar
riage of Black 10 the woman alleged
to be wife No. 2, who is a Whining
tOnian.