Rossman v. Rossman

29 N.W. 33, 62 Mich. 429, 1886 Mich. LEXIS 821
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 15, 1886
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 29 N.W. 33 (Rossman v. Rossman) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rossman v. Rossman, 29 N.W. 33, 62 Mich. 429, 1886 Mich. LEXIS 821 (Mich. 1886).

Opinions

Champlin, J.

On the twelfth day of October, 1885, complainant filed her bill of complaint against defendant for a divorce from the bonds of matrimony, and for permanent alimony.2 She alleged that she was 28 years of age; that she was married to defendant in January, 1873; that they have onre child, aged eight years, named Grace J.; that defendant has, since their marriage, become an habitual drunkard; and that he has been guilty of treating- her with extreme cruelty. Several specific acts of cruelty are alleged, consisting of personal violence, abusive language, and threats to kill her.

She states that he owns 54 acres of very choice farming lands, free and clear from incumbrances, which she valued at $4,000, and personal property, which she valued at $1,000; and she says that, by their joint labor, she helped to earn the most of it; and the defendant is free and clear from indebtedness, and has money besides, and has an annual income from said property, as she is informed and believes, of $500.

She prayed for an injunction, until the further order of the court, enjoining him from conveying away, mortgaging, or otherwise disposing of or incumbering his property, real or personal, or .any part thereof, and from interfering with [431]*431■complainant, and her taking a sewing-machine and household furniture from the house.

The bill further alleges that, from fear of personal violence, she left defendant’s house, with her child, on the tenth •day of October, 1885.

An injunction was granted by the circuit judge, enjoining ■defendant in accordance with the prayer of the bill.

October 26, 1885, a petition was filed by the complainant for temporary alimony, in Which she set forth the fact of the filing of her bill praying for a divorce, and that defendant had entered an appearance therein ; that at the time she was compelled to leave the defendant she had but $40 in money, which constituted all the means she then had, or has •since had ; that she was wholly destitute of means of supporting herself and t-heir infant child, and of carrying on the prosecution of the suit, and paying the cost and expenses attending the same; that she had secured board for her child with Nelson Rossman, a brother of defendant; and restating the property and means of defendant.

This application was opposed by defendant upon his own and the affidavit of Wilber H. Rossman.

A hearing was had on the sixth day of November, 1885, and- the court made an order allowing temporary alimony and expenses, and ordered defendant to pay complainant $10 ■every four weeks, commencing on the second day of November, 1885, the first payment to be made five days after service of the order, and thereafter every four weeks, dating from November 2; also that he pay $30 solicitor’s fees in twenty days from service of a copy of the order, and $15 at least five days prior to the time fixed for taking proofs for expenses ; and such further sums for expenses in taking proofs after the $15 shall have been exhausted, upon presentation of a taxed bill of costs' of the same.

It was further ordered that the injunction be so modified as that defendant may sell the grain, roots, vegetables, and apples raised on his farm the present season, and also his fat hogs and young cattle, to enable him to raise money with which to comply with this order. Under this order defend[432]*432ant paid to complainant’s solicitor $30, and to complainant $20.

On November 28 defendant filed' his answer, denying the charges of drunkenness and cruelty ; and charging complainant with unseemly deportment with other men ; in persistent and stubborn conduct in keeping up and maintaining unseemly social relations with other men,'being out at unreasonable hours at night, leaving defendant at home to care for their child alone.

On November 28 replication was filed, and on December 15 a motion was made for an increase of alimony. This motion was based upon the affidavit of complainant, and the affidavits of Isaac P. Mosley, M. S. Miller, Stephen E. Miller, and Grove H. Wolcott. The motion was resisted, and defendant filed his own affidavit in opposition thereto.

A hearing was had on the twenty-first day of December, 1885, and the circuit judge made an order increasing the-allowance for temporary alimony to five dollars a week, to-be computed from the thirtieth of November, 1885, to be-paid on the twenty-eighth day of December, 1885, and every four weeks thereafter, in advance, during the pendency of the suit, until the further order of the court; and defendant was further ordered to pay to complainant the sum of $20' on the twenty-eighth day of December, 1885, with which to procure clothing for their infant child, Grace.

This order was served on defendant the twenty-first day of December, 1885.

On March 6, 1886, Messrs. Hewett & Freeman, solicitors-for complainant, drew a written notice of which the following is a copy:

“ THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF INGHAM, IN CHANCERY.
Frances Bossmam, Complainant, v. Carl Bossman, Defendant.
Dated March 6, 1886.
“ Sir : In this cause you will please to take notice that on-•the twenty-second day of February, A. D. 1886, there was-[433]*433«due to Frances Eossman, the above-named complainant, from you, Oarl Eossman, the above-named defendant, the sum of sixty dollars, as and for temporary alimony, and also the further sum of twenty dollars with which to furnish clothing for said complainant and the infant child of yourself and complainant, under and by the terms of an order of said court made in this cause on the twenty-first day of December, A. D. 1885, with a copy of which you have been served; and that the whole or no part of either sum has been paid by you, or for you, to said complainant, or to any one for her, each of which amounts are due to said complainant by virtue of said order; and that, for the reason that said several amounts are now due and unpaid, you are hereby requested to pay the same, and we hereby demand the payment of the same.
“Tours, etc., Hewett & Freeman,
“ Complainant’s Solicitors.
To Carl Eossman, Defendant.”
They also indorsed upon the back thereof the following :
“To Carl Eossman, the within-nmied Defendant: Please pay the moneys claimed within to be due to Frances Eossman, the within-named complainant, to F. Gf. Fifield, who is the bearer of this, and who is hereby authorized to demand and receive said moneys, and to receipt to you for the same.
“Tours, etc., Hewett & Freeman,
“ Complainant’s Solicitors.
Dated March 6, 1886.”

Fifield, on the sixth of March, 1886, served upon defendant the foregoing notice and indorsement, and at the same time demanded of defendant the payment to him of the sum of $80 for Frances Eossman, which payment defendant refused to make. Upon application based upon the above demand the court issued an order to the defendant to show cause why he should not be committed for contempt. Defendant showed cause by affidavits of himself and others.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
29 N.W. 33, 62 Mich. 429, 1886 Mich. LEXIS 821, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rossman-v-rossman-mich-1886.