Year: 1870

hcmurknDe Narrative oil Loves FruNtys


EIopement and Petition for Divorce.


From the Memphis Avalanche, August 27.1


bill OF complaint praying for a divorce was fled
In the Second Cnancery Court yesterday, showing
that on or about the 22d OF June 1859. John Huber
Elizabeth Cox, the defendant herein," and that she
was an interesting, beautiful and innocent girl OF


The bill also shows that these, then made one IN
the molly bonds OF matrimony, lived happily together
and had become the parents OF two children, now
respectively hve ana three years Old. This happl-
ness continued until about eight months ago, when
the defendant herein" took 1t into her head to
lord was weary and much ndsposed. and when
IA certain person by the name Of Cornelius Sparks
volunteered his services rs an escort, which v0lun-
tarv Oner was freely accepted. On several occa-
sOns thereafter the said Sparks did solicit to be and
was accepted as an escort to Margaret Elizabeth to
balls and parties, and picnics aud theatres Tue
whom he had deemed so emincny discreet and
pure could 40 anything wrong; NOR for an instant
doubt the wife OF his bosom was anything else than
what she had been In the days OF her innocence.
He was pushed with the cares and business OF life
and at the same time was unwilling tnat anything
should prove a bar 10 The enjoyment Of his
wife. He therefore suffered this intercourse
between the said Sparks and his wife
to continue for month after month without suspt
cion, ne feeling IN the love and fidelity OF bis
wife Gil the Tune, alnough she went with Sparks TO
balls and theatres ana remained out TO very laie
hour OF the night.


About twelve weeks ago. however, the complain.
ant became suspicious, owing to the remarks and
nsinuatlOns OF his friends TO the effect that the
duct OF his wife was calculated TO bring scandal on
MIN and his children; besides this. outside rumors
OF improper cOnduct between SPARKS and his wife
were common. These things led him to demonstrate
with his WIFE, whereup0n sne new into towering
passion and struck him such severe blow In the
face AS to make the blood How freely. lie did not
resent the attack cOnsong himself with the thought
that 1t was the natural expression OF injured inno-
cence.


Since then, however, there has been no peace or
harmony or comfort IN the family the lady having
been cross. lll-natured and petulant often absent
xy,sr horao fro nf
nights, and refusing upon ner return to give any
account OF herself or who had been ner compan-
Ions.


The defendant continued In this manner until
about the 10Th inst, when she ned from home going
Sne took with ner her children ana all the hard
earned money that she could lind unsquanderet
during her past degradation, and every thing else
value that could be conveniently carried away
evidence OF in6delity and depraytty thai
he could do nothing until friends OF his who
volunteered to act for him had telegraph
sent to Grand Junction which halted the fu-
gitives at that point whence they were shortly af-
restored To their father but the once virtuous
and pure wife of John Huber had ceased to exist.


Since then many persons have informed him OF
certain sinful dsgraceful and adulterous acts OF his
wife, running back through many months, and he
has doubt but that she has been gully OF adultery
with said Sparks on various occasions In and about
the city OF Memphis


The bill OF complaint fu ther showeth that when
"the said Sparks first began to whisper honeyed
words OF love in her ear aud 10Y with her curs 1t
was her duty at once to spurn the serpent, 70 LEI
him know that he was trampling upon the sacred
rights Of cOnnding friend, upon virtue ana m0rall-
ty. How easy she could have repused the first ad-
vanc6s of the sedpceTp,


The complainant further shows that there Is no.
thing wrong, per Sc, in husband permitting MS
wife to accompany young gentleman TO places OF
amusement; 'yet, was not the duty OF defendant.
by words and Deeds TO so speak and conduct herself
that not brave man even, much less the cOwardly
seducer, dare make the first approaches Could not
the defendant have repulsed The seducer with one
tvx<ltf yhnn Arcf
hands and tOyed with her cursY'


The Dill further shows that the defendant has will


ingy permitted the improper relations with the
said Sparks; that she has descended from pure
and virtuous wife. And further that when captured
and returned, she openly and publicly declared that
she preferred to be the mistress OF Sparks rather
than ne the wife of John Huber. Further, IT. shows
that Sparks occupied the same chamber with de-
iendant while at Grand Junction that night.


Therefore the complainant prays that the bonds
OF matrimony be al once and forever dssolved be-
tween him and Margaret Elizabeth. which was once
Cox and that she shall not be allowed any dover
out OF, nor nave any distributive portion out OF the
estate OF complainant, nor shall be entitled to any
aimOny, nor nave control OF the children