A Domestic Dispute Involving a Flat Iron
A husband and wife near the Walla Walla garrison settle their marital grievances in court after a heated altercation.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
John H. Dickson, colored, was arrested this morning, charged by his wife, Mabel, with slapping her face yesterday afternoon. The Dickson family reside near the garrison, and in a family row Mabel hurled a flat iron at the head of her liege lord. In return Dickson shook her a bit. In the rage a warrant was sworn out by the woman. Dickson was arrested, and the case came up before Justice Huffman this forenoon. After hearing the evidence the case was dismissed by the court, with the admonition to kiss and make up.
“In a family row Mabel hurled a flat iron at the head of her liege lord. In return Dickson shook her a bit.”
This account uses the language of the period to describe a private domestic dispute that would likely be handled through contemporary social services or mediation today. The mention of the 'garrison' roots the story in the specific military presence that defined Walla Walla’s early social geography.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.