Some Divorce Extracts

Transcribed by Sue Jones.

Crawford County Divorce Extracts
from several issues of
The Robinson Constitution and The Robinson Argus

The Robinson Constitution December 5, 1883

At the recent term of our circuit court Sarah A. McCrory was divorced from John McCrory, both of Hutsonville tp. A short time ago they kissed and shook hands, set the day to be married. John in the mean time borrowed some $40.00 of her to arrange for the wedding. He straightway came to Robinson and obtained license and married a Miss Andrews, whereupon Mrs. McCrory No. 1 caused him to be arrested on a captious for debt. He was brought to Robinson where he gave bail for his appearance on Saturday last and not appearing at proper time a forfeiture was taken on his land. G. W. Henderson was his bondsman.

The Robinson Constitution - January 30, 1884 Issue

The following divorces cases are docketed for the March term of the circuit court:

Martha Ross, in her bill for divorce from Matthew Ross, says that after three months of their married life the defendant commenced threatening abusing and insulting her and perpetrating acts of extreme and repeated cruelty towards her, by beating her and threatening her life, after which he deserted her.

Thomas Turner, in his bill for divorce from Martha Turner, says he was married to defendant in September, 1882, and that since the 1st day of October, 1882, the defendant has given herself up to adulterous practice with one Herbert Alexander and others.

Millie Correll, in her petition for a divorce from Milton W. Correll, says that Milton Correll has for more than two years failed to furnish for her and has been guilty of extreme and repeated cruelty with his fists, striking her in the eyes and mouth, and one occasion assaulted her with a corn knife.

Mary A. Snider, in her bill for divorce from Napoleon R. Snider, says that she lived with the defendant as a dutiful wife until he deserted her, and on the 6th day of November, 1882, he attempted her life by shooting at her with a rifle gun.

Oral Lamerson, in her bill for divorce from Lucius Lamerson, says that the defendant deserted her without cause and has failed to provide for her and her children in any way whatever.

Francis Slagle, in her bill for divorce from Frederic Slagle, says the defendant deserted her some five years ago and has since absented himself from her and has failed in any way to provide for her.

The Robinson Constitution - January 1886 Issue

Divorces granted were to the following:

Ambert Wesner represents that she was married to John Wesner in Jan. 1882, in Crawford county, and in the month of Oct. Following, John cruelly deserted her. Her prayer was also, for maintenance and custody of child.

Joseph Kopta, of Hutsonville, led to the hymeneal alter Lucinda Evans Oct. 29, 1881, and continued to live, act and be a true and good husband until April '85. He avers that all duties toward his said wife were faithfully discharged. She, having an uncontrollable temper, which was made manifest in a few short years, unwifely conduct and neglect of her duties, was the causation of Joseph asking a divorce and custody of their two children.

Nancy A. Galloway was on the 12th day of Aug. 1879, joined in marriage to Wm. Galloway, in the county of Crawford, and lived and cohabited with him until the 17th of July, 1882, when he "took a walk" without just cause or provocation and continued to absent himself, hence her appeal to the courts for a divorce and maintenance.

Lucinda Bottoms took Newton Bottoms for a "Christmas Present" in 1881, and for exactly three years a good, true and loving wife. She learned that naughty Newton had, at the time of their nuptials, a wife living in Texas. Therefore, on Christmas day, 1884, Lucinda left him, which circumstance caused the seeking of the divorce granted.

Andrew Swiss married Sarah Holden, in Richland county, May 23d '83, thinking her a chaste and virtuous woman. Lived and cohabited with her for the short space of ten days, when he discovered Sarah was guilty of adultery and abandoned her. For which Andy asked and received the severing of the nuptial vows.

Nancy H. Hilbrant was joined in matrimony with Bindar Hilbrant Nov. 7th 1883 and Nancy represents that her lawful wedded spouse did at divers times commit adultery for which she prayed a divorce.

Catherine McIntosh represents that she was married to J. W. McIntosh Jan. 15th 1885 and that after committing adultery he cruelly deserted her, therefore she likewise asked a divorce.

Elner Cravens now comes and says she was married to one Jesse P. Cravens Oct. 29, 1881 and that sometime thereafter he deserted and left her contrary to his marital vows and the courts was her only recourse to which she came for justice.

Casander Williams states in her bill that she was married to E_za Williams in Crawford County, Ills., on the 27th day of Feb, 1879, and lived with him until Sept. 1st, 1879, when he left her and has since married again in Arkansas, and asks that a decree be granted requiring him to pay her sufficient money to support her and her child.

Lucy Vance states in her bill that, she was married to Henry L. Vance at Hutsonville, Ills., on Oct. 16th, 1881, and lived with him until Nov. 21st, 1881, when she left him, having ascertained that he had at the time of her marriage with him a living wife, and asks a decree of divorce and that she may resume her maiden name - Lucy Plough.

Sarah B. James states in her bill that she was married to Wm. T. James on the 23d day of Aug. 1879, and continued to live with him until the 25th day of Dec. 1880 when he deserted her, and as he continues to absent himself from her she prays a divorce and relief.

The Robinson Argus "Mismated People" - Feb. 27, 1901 Issue

There are pending in our circuit court, which convenes on Monday next, sixteen applied for divorce. They are:

Saline vs James Griswold
Henrietta vs Alexander Brown
Wm. E. vs Margie A McClure
Miranda vs Johnson Conrad
Nellie vs Charles Pyle
Donnie vs Frank McCollum
Luella vs Jason Ferguson
George E. vs Viney Rich
Elijah vs Eliza J. Clouse
Wm. vs Annie Bishop
Ida M. vs Stephen Handy
Mattie vs Arthur Eastman
Nancy C. vs David F. Hick
Moses vs Jennie Mullens
Allen M. vs Laura E. Bracken
Lucias vs Melcina Barlow

The Robinson Argus - Feb. 28, 1917 Issue

Twenty-two divorce cases to be heard:
Etta vs. Francis M. Doyle
Fannie R. vs. George L. Skidmore
Carrie vs. Irvin Charley
Lilie vs. Edward L. Chism
Lawrence vs. Minie Bartmess
Luella vs. True S. Barker
Leallie vs. William O. Ford
John S. vs. Bertha Collins
Lucretia vs. Jos. A. MacHatton
Mae vs. James Downs
Arvilla vs. Quincy Polk
Gladys M. vs. Harry A. Saudefer
Emma vs. Richard M. White
Floid vs. Preston Bryant
Anna L. vs. William F. Scott
David vs. May Denind
Manerva vs. Jasper N. Burch
Leona vs. Thomas W. Anderson
Perlina vs. Elijah W. Ford
Fannie E. vs. William H. Couging
Hattie vs. John Martindale
Martha vs. Clarence A. Murdock

The Robinson Argus - November 7, 1935 Issue

Five divorces were granted by Judge Blaine Huffman in a one day session of circuit court here Thursday.

John Bergman was divorced from his wife Carrie Bergman on a charge of desertion. Bergman told the court that this was the second divorce he had obtained from his wife.

Marie L. Yocum was granted a decree divorcing her from Everett A. Yocum and was given leave to resume her maiden name of Leggitt. The charge was desertion.

Kenneth Turnipseed was granted a decree divorcing him from Ruth Turnipseed on a desertion charge.

Thomas W. Pifer was divorced from Mary E. Pifer on his charge of cruelty.

Violet Stewart was granted a decree divorcing her from Loran Stewart on a charge of adultery. The court ordered the defendant to pay $7.50 each month for the support of the plaintiff and a minor child named in the bill.

 

This page last updated on March 18, 2022.