Miscellany: Wives

In Chicago's Stockyards Court, Judge Robert Jerome Dunne passed final judgment on 56 drunkards who had been on probation in charge of their wives or other kin since Sept. 1. When Bill McNulty said, "I haven't touched a drop," his wife cried, "Oh, judge, he's lying to you." Sentence: 60 days. Of John Cpywiak, his wife Anna said, "He's been out of work for nine years. He spent my $500 savings on booze. Then he came home and robbed the baby's bank. I don't want him, judge. He won't lay off it." Sentence: three months. When Frank Fenlon asked for clemency, his sister vetoed it. Sentence: 110 days.

Of the others, five cases were continued for later hearing, 48 were discharged on the wives' recommendations. Of Elmer Diedrich his wife said, "I allow him to have one drink a day but he takes so long getting that drink I have to go to the tavern after him." Because Diedrich's baby son has the judge's middle name, Jerome, he was discharged. Of himself, Louie Sarna said, "I suffered more than I ever expect, judge, your honor, the shame. My ambition it has always been not to beat my wife. I no do it again." Of Felix Stanley who is usually arrested for throwing his wife out the window, she said, "He's a nice man now. I want him home."