Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 192, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 August 1915 — ASKS FOR DIVORCE FROM J. A. M’CURTAIN [ARTICLE]

ASKS FOR DIVORCE FROM J. A. M’CURTAIN

Eva L. McCurtain Asks Freedom From Husband Who Has Been Eluding Officers. Eva L. McCurtain, of Union township, has begun suit for divorce in the circuit court from her husband, John A. McCurtain, who has been eluding the officers since his escape from Longcliff asylum. McCurtain has made threats against his wife since he regained his freedom and on account of her fear of him she removed to Rensselaer, where "she felt she would not be in danger. They were married January 19, 1893, and lived together until May 1, 1915, when they parted, as she alleges, on account of his cruel and inhuman treatment, she being driven from home and compelled to take refuge among her friends and relatives. Her complaint is quite lengthy and among other acts of her husband she recites that on the day of their separation her husband became enraged and threw her upon the floor and choked and otherwise injured her and securing a shotgun and loaded shells he threatened to kill her and their children, causing her to seek protection among friends. Later he returned, she alleges, and under cover of night, while in an intoxicated condition, again threatened to kill her and the children, and that he has kept up his persecutions since that time, causing her to move to Rensselaer for protection. She also charges that he has failed to provide for her and their children, and that they have been compelled to put in the crops and attend to them, while he put in his time drinking and gambling, and that when the crops were harvested he insisted on having a part of the proceeds from the sale of them. They have eight Children, ranging in age from two to eight years, all daughters. She asks for a divorce and the custody of the children and S2OO a year for their support.