The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-07
JOHN HENRY AND
WIFE IN TROUBLE
Their Martial Difficulties
Cause Much Palaver at
Court j.

A tense colored argument took
place at police headquarters this morn.
ing when Mayor Bowen appeared to
settle the family troubles of John
Henry and his wife John Henry was
arrested on Jackson street last even
ing for disorderly conduct. John Hen
~ said he hadn't been drinking at all
in fact he hadn't had drink but
two or three times since residing in
Fairmont. John Henry was married
under rather peculiar circumstances
in police court several months ago and
since then his troubles have been fast
and furious. Johns wife, Helen, alias
"Stringbean," came also to court this
morning to get in as many charges as
John. There was tie-John having
the same number OF complaints
against John. Both agreed as to cruel
ty, unfaithfulness and general no-ac-
count habits. Helen, alias Stringbean
said John called her bad name Sat-
urday night and dared her to call the
name back to him which she did. She
then picked up a brick and threw 1t at
John. The scar was plainly visible.
She claims John chases her around
whenever she goes to picture shows
and that If she doesn't hit him occa.
sionally he will kill her. She said a
man by the name of Virges who lives
on Hull alley and who has no hands,
says John sells whiskey on the street.
The mayor ordered one OF his men to
so after Virges and take him to the
prosecuting attorney. He'll not ad-
nit 1t to the prosecuting attorney"
said one of the police.
Helen. alias Stringbean, says she
works as chairbermaid for Mis- Tuck.
or and if she didn't, she'd jest hatcher
ally starve as John Henry is not one
bit OF good. She says, as for herself,
she never does anything which ism
right. John Henry started in with
tale of VOC at this stage of the game
and for about five minutes this couple
talked both at once, firing explana-
tons and remarks at the mayor so fast
that his head swan though he took
the matter quite salmly. II went up
to the IIipDedrum," said John Henry
in great excitement. and this woman
with others started throwing things az
me. She tells mo have TO sport her
and l says, Helen | will if you'll come
and live with me- She says she amt
got no use for me" II done spent my
money feedin' him, and | specks he's
got right TO pay me money when l
needs i'll" said Stringbean at the same
moment.
There didn't seem to be solution
TO the problem so the mayor told John
Henry he should have week to work
and use his money toward paying fare
to his home in Cincinnati where John
promised 10 so. Stringbean was re.
quested to keep away from John and
mind her own business. I'll let him
alone il he lets me alone" was all the
lady would promise.
Mrs. John Pulfer and Nettie Ross,
colored, figured prominently at wit
nesses in the case this morning though
evidence given by them was rather
pointless. Mrs. John Pulfer lives at
204 Water street and John Henry.
claims his wife stays there much too
often for her own good. Nettie sat
shyly, never saying word. Don't
you know who that is, mayor?" re-
marked one OF the police. The mayor
recognized the face but couldn't place
the lady for a moment. why that's
the girl lost in the weeds" smiled
Chief Harr. Nettie, it appears, has
figured prominently in many an affair
in this city and has had her fare paid
cut of the city a number of times.
Nettie, however, always takes the next
train back 20 Fairmont again and can't
be lost. Netie said, Yes, sir" at the
proper places this morning. Not long
ago Nettie stole watch with neither
hands nor feet, and Chief Harr went
after her She got away from him and
ran between two houses on Water
street where he lost her in the weeds.
She is very small with short hair
said to be rather cute" She doesn't
look over 10 though she claims to be
10. Both she and Mrs. John Pelfer
were dismissed.