The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-09
Wife Seeks Divorce From AL
legged Ginger "Jagger."
Three Times He Has ssMade
Her Try to Kill Herself"
MRS. 7. J. BROWN WORKS HARD
She Hangs Paper to Provide for
Children; Father Won't Help.
His Principal Pastime Is That
of ssBeating Up" Wife.

After failing in her third attempt to
of her husband, a typical Kansas
Brown, mother of four children. has
decided to free herself from the
strings of matrimony. For fourteen
years. county and city officials have
watched the unequal struggle of a
brave, capable woman, against a nus
band addicted to the Jamaica ginger
habit.
That struggle ended Thursday night
and Jamaica ginger anne out victor
when Mrs. Brown, wild-eyed and
county court house, closely pursued
by a drunken husband, apparently
bent on further physical cruelties on
the person of his wife. Bob Miller,
undersheriff, arrested Brown instantly
and an exciting chase from the Brown
home on North Jackson street to the
court house was ended.
Today. Mrs. Brown in company with
Miss Kate King. welfare worker, APP
peared at the court house. ready to
husband with assault ond battery.
Furthermore, she avowed her intention
CT suing for divorce.
Fell in Front of Car.
Time after time county and city
officials have been called to the Brown
covered and bleeding from beatings
given her by a husband under the IN
flusnce of Jamaica ginger. Three
times following such assaults, Mrs
Brown has attempted to kill herself.
Once she rushed to the street car
tracks and placed her head on the rail
as a Shorey car approacher. Only the
quick action of mOtOrman IN stop
ping the car saved her.
At another time an effort to end It
all, equally as desperate, was made by
Mrs. Brown. On November IA, follow
ing a beating, she drank carbolic aci1-
Prompt action on the part or phySl-
clans saved her then.
Mrs Brown was hysterical when led
to the court house this morning. Since
the house to eat excepting molass IS
and bread and salt pork.
This despite the fact that her huS-
band is capable of. being an excellent
meal ticket. He is paperhanger
and plasterer of ability, who can make
$40 and S25 week. Mrs. Brown is
capable of doing the same work and
has for years worked with her hus-
band. County officials vouch for her
as a good, capable woman, who is
equal to the task of supporting her
four children.
He wouldn't work unless the boss
would pay him." said Mrs. Brown,
land he always took the money for
Jamaica ginger, which he mixed with
whisky
Chased Her to Court House.
On Tuesday night, Mrs Brown de-
clares, he choked and beat her over
the head. Thursday night he started
out to pursue similar tactics but Mrs.
Brown fled from the house and
jumped on a street car, Brown mount
ed the same car and stood reeling on
the rear end.
At Fifth street, Mrs. Brown jump
ed off in front while Brown staggered
from the rear of the car An exciting
chase to the court house followed.
Mrs Brown is well known in North
Topeka. She accompanies her chill
dren TO Sunday school every Sunday,
works diligently, can paper and plas-
ter as well as her husband and is
raising her four children remarkably
we'll under the circumstances, accord
ing to county officials.
Miss King hopes to have Brown
paroled after a heavy fine is assessed
on him. Efforts will be made to have
the proceeds of the fine turned over
to Mrs. Brown for the support Of her
children.