William
D. Watson Divorce Action
Obtained
from the District Clerk of Panola Co TX
By
Marylee Watson Knight 1978
October
Term 1897 - TO THE HONORABLE W.J. GRAHAM, Judge of Said Court, William D.
Watson, plaintiff, complaining of Emma Watson
Defendant
respectfully represents that plaintiff now an actual bona fide inhabitant and
resident citizen of the State of Texas has been for more than 12 months next
preceding the filing of this suit - that Plaintiff is also now an actual bona
fide inhabitant and resident citizen of Panola County and has resided in this
for more than six months next preceding the filing of this petition and that the
Defendant now resides in Rusk County Texas.
That
on or about the 10th day of October 1894, Plaintiff was legally married to
Defendant in Panola County Texas and continued to live with her as her husband
until on or about the 16th day of October 1894.
That
the Plaintiff, during the time he lived and cohabited with the Defendant,
conducted himself as a kind, affectionate and indulgent husband.
That he treated his said wife at all times with the greatest kindness and
forebearance. That Plaintiff
provided everything in the way of food and clothing that his said wife could
desire.
That
on the day after said marriage of Plaintiff and Defendant, the Defendant
expressed a desire to take music lessons. That
the Plaintiff assented and told his said wife that he would employ a music
teacher to come to their home and teach her music. That the Defendant refused to
take music lessons at their home, but insisted on going to the house of one Dr.
Lyles about six miles distant from the Plaintiff's home. That Plaintiff protested against his said wife leaving his
home, but Defendant continued to insist and finally, on or about the 14th day of
October 1894, she obtained a conveyance and went to the house of the said Dr.
Lyles.
That
on the day after the removal of his wife as aforesaid from his home, Plaintiff
went to see her and remained over night with her.
That Plaintiff, during said visit last aforementioned, invited Defendant
to return home and offered to get a conveyance for her.
She said, "You need not put yourself to any trouble. I will not go
home with you." Plaintiff
thereupon asked his said wife if she was going to quit him, and she said,
"Yes." Plaintiff asked
her what she meant by that and Defendant again replied that she meant to quit
him. Plaintiff then inquired of his
said wife why she wanted to quit him, to which she replied that the only reason
is that she did not love him well enough to live with him.
That
on the day following the date last mentioned, Plaintiff got two of his
neighbors, viz Jack Lockwood and James Stegers to go and see the Defendant and
invite her to come home, and tell her that if she would come back, Plaintiff
would willingly take her back. That
Defendant in response to said parties and said invitation said that she could
not return to Plaintiff, that she did not love plaintiff and would never live
with him.
Plaintiff
charges that disregarding the solemnity of her marriage vow and her obligation
to live with the Plaintiff as his wife, the Defendant on said 16th day of
October 1894 abandoned this Plaintiff with no intention to return to him, and
since which time she has always refused and still refuses to live and cohabit
with the Plaintiff as his wife.
That
there is no community estate, and no issue of said marriage of Plaintiff and
Defendant. Whereupon the Plaintiff
prays that the Defendant be cited to appear and answer this petition, that he
have Judgement, that the marriage between him and the Defendant be dissolved and
for such other and further relief as he may be entitled, with cost of suit.
Hazelwood & Brooks
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Comes the Plaintiff, W.D. Watson, and files this his first
supplemental petition amending his original petition filed herein on the 2nd day
of Sept 1897 and again adopting the allegations set forth in his original
petition filed in this County on the 2nd day of September 1897 and Plaintiff
charging that the Defendant Emma Watson has remained away from him ever since
she abandoned him and went away as stated in his original petition and that the
said Defendant still refuses to live with this Plaintiff as his wife and
Plaintiff has invited her to return home to him and she still refuses to live
with the Plaintiff as his wife. Wherefore he prays Judgement of Divorce and for
general relief.
W.D. Watson
by J.G. Hazelwood
Atty for Plaintiff
(NOTE: Emma (Singletary) Watson married Richard Garland Dec. 21, 1899 in Panola County. They had been married 63 years at the time of his death on July 22, 1963. William was married at least twice more after Emma and died a bachelor in 1950.)