Jacqueline's Findings

“I’ve been mostly focused on civil divorce cases from the 1920's and 1930's. An interesting pattern I’ve found in these cases is that the defendant is almost always filing for extreme cruelty and neglect. Part of my research has been looking into what that phrase really means.” - Jacqueline

The photos to the left corelate with the case summary Jacqueline provided:

“George L Simmons vs Gertrude Simmons (June 7, 1924) Married on January 15, 1920
One child named Robert Louis Simmons (3 years old at the time of divorce). Gene filing against Gertrude.
No property owned at this point. Started with $2,000 worth of property. 'Said property has been spent by the defendant and that there is no property now owned jointly.' Gertrude found guilty of gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty. Gertrude has to pay $20 a month in child support.

Ever since the marriage of plaintiff and defendant, defendant has become lazy, indolent, has refused to keep house and do any housework, and has not cared for the son of the plaintiff and defendant but has allowed him to become filthy and dirty around the house.

Defendant has further been guilty of threatening to kill plaintiff at various and sundry times, calling him vile names, all of which was done with the purpose of injuring and wounding plaintiff’s feelings. Gertrude fights back saying that George would hit her and use vile and indecent language towards her. He made her do yard work, 'Men’s work.' She claims he is also guilty of extreme cruelty. George gets custody of the child."

Andrew's Findings

Andrew’s work started primarily with the first documented Douglas county criminal court case, “David Logan’s horse theft case.” When all was said and done, Logan was sentenced to two years of hard labor in the state penitentiary.

After concluding with that case, Andrew began his extensive research into the coroner’s reports. Below is just one of the many cases he analyzed.

Andrew provided the following information about a coroners' reports he researched:

Date of Birth: 2/12/1944
Date of Death: 9/17/1963
Time of Death: 3:00 p.m.

Michael Williams was 19-years old and found dead on his couch by his neighbor, Kathryn Elston. No foul play was suspected, however, I must quote the witness statement:

"This 19 year old male was a creaton. He was approximately 2 1/2 feet long and had been that way since obtaining that size. He had stayed with his grandmother over the years and she had noted he acting strangely at noon and he wouldn't eat, however he took a nap and about 4:45 in the afternoon a neighbor, Mrs. Kathryn Elston, noticed that he was cold and not breathing. There is no indication of anything other than death due to natural causes."

I find this witness statement bizarre and unconvincing due to the deceased living with his grandmother, and being identified by her as well, but Mrs. Elston found Michael Williams dead on the couch. It is also unclear of who recorded the witness statement, and no autopsy was performed. I suspect foul play. No officers were present, and no diagnosis was listed for Michael Williams' death.

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