A Plea for Safety: Katharine Mackey’s Divorce Filing
A woman sues for divorce on grounds of cruelty, alleging her life is in danger from her husband, Timothy.
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.
One of the new cases filed in the county clerk's office yesterday was that of Katharine Mackey vs. Timothy Mackey for divorce, alimony, and the custody of the children. Mrs. Mackey seeks to have the marriage dissolved on the grounds of personal indignities and cruel treatment. She claims that Mackey's temper and disposition are such that not only is life unendurable in his company, but that she considers even her life to be in danger. She also claims that Mackey has property valued at $25,000. Timothy Mackey had been examined by Judge Lichtenberg on Saturday on a charge of insanity, but was dismissed.
“She claims that Mackey's temper and disposition is such that not only is life unendurable in his company, but that she considers that even her life is in danger.”
Domestic violence and divorce cases often appeared in the back pages of 19th-century papers, treated as mere 'suits filed.' Today, we recognize these as vital records of the struggle for bodily autonomy and safety within the institution of marriage.
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