The Bigamy Suit in Green River
A farmer is sued by his first wife after he moves West, remarries, and establishes a new family, triggering a complex property dispute in superior court.
The case of Lena Dubois against Cornelius Dubois, which began yesterday before Judge Lichtenberg, is a remarkable one. Lena Dubois sues to be declared the joint owner of valuable property, currently titled to her husband and his second wife. In 1876, Cornelius Dubois married Lena Marshall in Ulster County, N.Y. Less than three months later, he left for the West, settling in Seattle. In 1880, believing Lena had obtained a divorce, he married Katy Walker. They lived together and have four children. In 1890, Lena discovered her husband’s whereabouts and initiated the suit. The defense argues that Lena had deserted him and acted improperly, while the second wife, Katy, claims she was unaware of his prior marriage. The court heard testimony from Lena regarding their early life in Pennsylvania and the subsequent abandonment. The defense moved for a non-suit at the end of the day.
“Husband and wife appear against each other in court, but it is not a suit for divorce or even alimony. The wife sues to have the court declare her the joint owner.”
This case underscores the social volatility of the 'frontier' era, where geographic distance allowed people to escape past lives and identities. It remains a fascinating look at the limitations of legal and social record-keeping in 19th-century Washington.
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