William D. Watson Divorce Action
Obtained from the District Clerk of Panola Co TXby 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.)