Mary E King (plaintive) vs James E King (defendent) 4 MAR 1899 #750 Reel 14 Stevens Point Courthouse

(These documents appear to me to be in reverse chronological order)

James submitted a document withdrawing his testimony, so as to appear to default, on condition that no "costs or alimony" be granted.

A deposition about the sale of a "span of horses" upon which partial payment was made but then horses were reclaimed due to non-payment of debts. He states King is in ill health and is unable to work to pay his debts. That King owns nothing of value.

Adelbert King, his nephew, deposes: James is in ill health His only income is a pension and some work using horses - that being stopped when the horses were reclaimed. James is living with Adelbert on furlough from the Veterans Home in Waupaca. therefore, he could never pay any divorce costs or penalties

Dr F A Walters deposes that James is very disabled and very destitute

James King deposes: they only lived together from 4 MAR 1897 to 2 NOV 1897 - at which time she deserted she brought nothing to the union he has nothing he lives in the Soldiers Home he can pay nothing to anyone depends totally on his pension he explains why he missed a deadline to respond and asks for time

She deposes: she has a piece of land, fully mortgaged, that is keeping her alive, but she cannot even pay her lawyers he violated a restraining order during the delay in the proceedings that he is able bodied that he has property that he has a pension and should be able to pay some alimony

He deposes: denies all charges of cruelty and abuse lots of details about name calling denies she is frail or in any way damaged by him denies failure to support states that she was a widow and three times married before that she has extraordinary good health and vigor that she has 2 children from prior marriages that he took care of them as well as he could and loved them states his disability states $6 pension and some "teaming income" explains the mortgage on the "team" states that shortly after the marriage she took up with a married man named Jordan who had had left his family in the vacinity of Berlin, WI. believes this to be an adulterous relationship [between 16 JUN 1897 and 17 NOV 1897] believes Jordan is trying to get her to make him leave her believes Jordan is now living with her at the house of Will Martin in Stevens Point that during this time they have been seen together and he has gifted her more details about Jordan she refused to stop seeing him when confronted reiterates unable to pay wants to try again (still loves her) hoping she will love him asks that complaint be dismissed

A restraining order was issued

She deposes: cruel treatment from the start details as reflected in his denial asks that marriage be disolved or annulled and that she be authorized to take the name Mary E Smith asks for such alimony as the court finds just

(I saw no "finding", but assume that she won "by default" and with no money damages - per his conditional retraction)