DIVORCE

As genealogists we when we see second or third marriages among ancestors, we usually believe there was a death of one of the spouses.  However, even in days of old, married couples couldn’t get along.  Seven divorces were found in the January 29, 1892, Rural Republican paper. The reporter apparently had nothing better to write about that day so he walked over to the courthouse to see if he could find a story. He then gave a unique spin to the seven applications for relief from the married misery that he found.   

Col Greenberry Cundiff vs Nancy Ann Cundiff.  The parties were married at this place on October 21, 1888, and lived together until December 14, 1891, when he was compelled to cease living with her after abusing him and using obscene language on divers occasions.  She clapped the climax by attempting to cut his head off with an axe in the woods about the 12th day of November 1891, and that on account of her size he did feel disposed to resent her insults but when he got into close quarters took to his heels.  Greenberry wants all the relief that a Judge of a Circuit Court can give him and has retained Foster and McGaughey, Attorneys to assist him in getting it.

Martha E Akers in her complaint states that she was married to James Akers in Allison town about August 1889. On or about the 1st day of August 1891, Martha E says that James deserted her, refuses to return to her, and has been guilty of extreme and repeated cruelty on divers days and times since their marriage, and has used vile and abusive language toward her.  She asks for a divorce and appeals to Judge Youngblood for it.  Attys Gee and Barnes looketh after the affair.

Maj James Skaggs vs Minnie B Skaggs  The gallant Major evidently does not regard his wife, like Caesar’s, above suspicion, but intimates that her favors were in the market and that an amorous Chrystylite stood solid with her.  She is also charged with divers and other sundry acts.

Mary A Goins and Pleasant Goins began trotting in double harness in the “state of Knox” the 16th day of July 1890, but Pleasant was not as pleasant as he should be and soon kicked over the traces and is charged with repeated acts of cruelty and other acts which go to make Mary’s life miserable, wherefore she prays a dissolution of the tie that binds.  Mary also wants something upon which to subsist and pay her attorneys and for a living after the divorce is granted.

Armer don’t want to buy a dog, that is to say Presley Armer don’t, but we have every reason to believe that Armer thinks a good dog a far more valuable article of furniture than his wife Nancy whom he married at this place in September 1885.  In less than two years she “lit out” and the last heard of her she was in Mt Carmel.

William J Walters and Emma Walters were married in February 1890.  They lived together for about one month when Emma’s love for forbidden fruit caused William J to give her the dirty shake and leave her to hoe her own row.  He alleged that he caught Emma in flagrant delicto with one Pargin of the tribe of Benjamin in the state of Bond.  Thereupon William asks for such relief as the Court of Chancery only can give.  Atty Charles H Martin will look after his interest.

Joseph A Lackey and Mary J Lackey were lawfully joined in wedlock February 18, 1885, and they lived together as man and wife should until July 25, 1887, since which time in sundry places and at times to him unknown, she did commit adultery.  To the said Mary J Lackey, a child was born on the 24th day of October 1891, the paternity of which is unknown.  Since July 25th 1887, Joseph alleges he has left her to paddle her own canoe in the broad river of this wicked world and now wants redress at the hands of the law.