A Seattle Wife's Plea for Freedom: 'He Beat Me and Drenched Me'
Maria Berg files for divorce from Eric B. Berg, alleging years of cruelty culminating in a brutal attack over his ill-treatment of a horse.
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.
HE GAVE HER AN UNTIMELY BATH. A Wife Wants Liberty From an Uncongenial Husband. Maria Berg commenced proceedings in the superior court yesterday to obtain a divorce from her husband, Eric B. Berg, on the ground of cruelty. She states that she married the defendant in Norway in 1871, has resided in King county for the last seven years, and that for the last three years she has been treated in a cruel and outrageous manner by her husband. Mrs. Berg claims that her husband threatened her life in the winter of 1891, and at various times during the following spring treated her in a brutal manner, and that in May, 1891, she expostulated with him for ill-treating a horse, whereupon he knocked her down, beat her, threw dirt in her face, and finally drenched her with a pail of water that was standing near. All this occurred in the presence of witnesses and was exceedingly humiliating to her. The plaintiff, finding that she was unable to bear such treatment any longer, prays that the marriage be dissolved and that she be allowed to resume her maiden name. There are no children.
“he knocked her down, beat her, threw dirt in her face, and finally drenched her with a pail of water that was standing near.”
In 1893, domestic violence was rarely reported, and divorce was difficult to obtain. Today, domestic violence is recognized as a serious issue, and victims have more legal recourse. This story shows the persistence of domestic abuse and the courage of women seeking freedom.
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