The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-04
County Clerk Farrell
Refuses to Prosecute
Mrs. Laurisch
HAD TRIED TO
DESTROY RECORDS
w ante d knowledge
OF Former Marriage
Kept From Husband

The stork lowered near the prose
cutors Office, Thursday morning
II ancient tradition is 10 be be-
lieved, he carried In his bill the
first born OF a family and III this
case, il was a family torn with dis
sensicn and petty Jealousy.
Mrs. Ernestine Iauris h had
spent the night in the womer's de-
tention station. on Canheld-ave., be-
cause. in a desperate desire to keep
her mate by her side when their
first child came, she had gone TO
the office OF County Clerk Thomas
Farrell. Thursday afternoon. and
had ripped from a record book the
page that told OF an earlier mar
riage.
On this page. she believed. rested
the fate OF her home and her child.
for lawyers had come 10 Detroit
from Lansing, 20 gain evidence
against her. The evidence was to
be used, they said. as foundation
for a proceeding to annul her mar
riage to Otto Laurisch. She planes
the parents OF her husband. who
live in Lansing. for the attempt TO
tear him from her.
She had lived through what is
known in books as past"
IL was only 10 years old" she
said. MY mother wanted me to
marry a man. because it would
mean one less 10 feed. | did not
know knew nothing OF what IL
means to be married. They said
was IL. and on that they drove me
from my home to be the wife OF
man ! did not like. When grew
old enough 10 learn what life is. I
got a divorce. wanted 10 forget
II. | married Oscar Laurisch, and
we were happy. until others came
in and made trouble. II was case
OF relatives interfering with us.
81 knew the lawyers had cone to
look at that book What would my
life be-and what would the life OF
my baby be-if they took the writ
ing on that one page. and because
OF that writing. took my husband
from me? II they would let him
alone. we could get along all right.
No, they must try TO take him away.
got the record. and while ! pre-
tended 10 read it. stuck holes into
the paper just below II. With a
pencil. When had made holes all
the way across the page, | tore II
out and ran. | got out OF the coun-
" building. bu. the detectives came
later TO my house at No. ~ VIII
kins-st., and they arrested not only
me but my husband.
Laurisch was held as a witness.
Assistant Prosecutor Speed. who
heard the young wIfe's story, sum-
moned County Clerk Farrell to his
Office. II would be necessary for
the county clerk 70 sign the COM
Mutila ting a public record is a fen.
only punishable by IA years i'm
prisonment.
PETER bring the husband over
too" said Speed.
Farrell and Laurisch came in al
most at the same time.
a hysterical cry came from the
lips OF the woman. who had stood
back in the corner She swayed for
ward as her husband entered, and
fell into his arms. Pitifully, she
mumbled words OF endearment. as
she laid her head on his. shoulder.
Laurisch held her close 20 him.
"You'll have TO sign this COM
plant. II we prosecute her" said Mr..
Speed.
The silver.beaded county clerk
looked up a. the ceiling Perhaps
he had a vision Of Tapping white
wings and precious little bundle.
He shook his head. and as he
walked out, he said, no. not IL
wouIdn lend my name TO PROPOSE
zion 10 send either one OF them TO
a cell"
IL YOU want to know the truth,
the assistant prosecutor was quite
clated over this technical. yet merci'
ful neglect OF duty. He smil' al
the husband who held his wife 10
him. and told both 10 go home, keep
prying relatives ont Of their personal
family affairs, and live In happiness
for the sake Of the home they have
builded for themselves and for the
/ little enc, who car be thanked fol
their freedom when he comes "a
| gladden. that home.