Mexborough and Swinton Times June 18, 1892
Barnsley Police Court.
Marriage a Failure
Mexborough Woman and Ardsley Man
Barnsley Police Court afforded many arguments in support of the marriage a failure theory on Wednesday morning, case after case of dispute coming up.
A peculiar one was that in which Alfred Ellis, platelayer, of Stairfoot, was charged with having deserted his wife Caroline Ellis.
Mr. Rideal was for the complainant, and Mr. Raley for the defendant.
Complainant, a good-looking young woman said she was married to the defendant at the Mexborough Parish Church on Easter Monday, the 18th April. They went to reside with her sister, and on the 31st May he deserted her, and had not contributed one farthing to her maintenance from that time till now.
On June 7th he wrote to her, asking her to come by the seven o’clock train to Stairfoot station, as he wanted to see her before he went away for good.
He told her also to bring its close, and added: “If you don’t come you will never see me again, as I twigged something that Monday night before I came. I am willing to allow you so much a week when I get where I am going. I shall pay your sister what I owe. I shall not forget what she has done for me and my wife.”
Mr Raley submitted that the defendant had not deserted his wife. He was living with his grandmother, and she could go and live with him.
Mr Kaye: She can say she will not.
Mr Raley: But she cannot accuse him of desertion.
The woman said if she went to his grandmother’s door they insulted her. His relations were not fit to live with.
The Bench told her she should have thought of that before. She was only making it worse.
Mr Kaye: Are you prepared to live with him you find you a home?
Complainant: It will have to be a right one.
The Bench ordered defendant to allow his wife 10s week till he found her a home.