This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wg.2ADE/1648.1 Message Board Post: Barbara, "Morris Reformer", Morris, IL, Thurs. Oct 17, 1878. Mrs. Elizabeth A'Hern died in this city on Tuesday, aged 85 years. She was the mother of Matt A'Hern. Elizabeth is probably buried in Mt. Carmel Cem, Morris, IL, but there is no stone. James A'Hern owned lot 1 in section 9 in Mt. Carmel. The cemetery does not list any burials on the lot. Elizabeth A'Hern had sons James, Timothy, John, Matthew, Garret. Circuit Court Record of Grundy Co, Bk H, p. 62 dated 20 Nov 1871 Bill for Divorce Adaline A'Hern is now living with her said husband Mathew A'Hern as his wife--she no longer wishes to prosecute. Adaline was the daughter of Heber & Keziah Pitcher. She was born about 1852 in Ohio. She married Matthew A'Hern 17 Nov 1870 in Grundy County, IL "Morris Reformer", 5 Oct 1876, p. 5, col 1. A little centennial at Mat Ahern's last week. It's a boy. "Morris Herald", Apr 13, 1877 Depraved.--We are no longer a doubter on the subject of total depravity. Morris affords an example which will remove from the mind of every enquirer all doubt on this subject. The person to whom we alude in this article is Mathew Ahern. At the recent term of the Circuit Court the Grand Jury returned four counts against this individual charging him with having sold liquor on the Sabbath day. He plead guilty and was fined by the court $50 in each of the several counts, and in default was sent to jail until fine and costs were paid. The law of the state provides that, "whenever it shall be made satisfactorily to appear to the court, after all legal means have been exhausted, that any person who is confined in jail for any fine or costs of prosecution for any criminal offense, hath no estate wherewith to pay such fine and costs or costs only, it shall be the duty of the said court to discharge such person from further imprisionment for such fine and costs, which discharge shall ! operate as a complete release of such fine and costs." Under this clause many offenders of the law are set at liberty and justice to all intents and purposes is robbed of her reward. Under this clause Ahern was given his freedom. And here commences a tale of horror. For a long time Ahern's wife has been a victim of consumption. Her husband, who had first escaped from the clutches of the law, goes to his home, after imbibing frequently on the way, and charges her with his many misfortunes and commences an attack upon her, pulling her out of bed, beating her over the head, and otherwise maltreating her. She, as soon as possible, notifies the authorities, and Police Magistrate McBride, visited the scene, when Mrs. Ahern made affidavit to the extent that she had been most shamefully abused, and that she stood in fear of her husband lest he should carry out his threats to kill her. Ahern was arrested and brought before the court, where, after examination, Justice McBride committe! d him to jail in default of bonds to the amount of $1,000 to keep the peace for the term of one year. To this penalty there is no leniency clause, and there is but little doubt but that Ahern will stand committed for the full term of one year. "Morris Herald", Fri, Jan 11, 1878 About half past seven o'clock on last Sabbath evening fire was discovered in a building on Canal street, occupied by Matt A'Hern, as a saloon. The fire department was promptly on hand and the building completely drenched with water. The fire seemingly was in an old bed in the second story of the building, no great damage was done to the building other than by the great amount of water thrown upon it. Matt had been badly "off" all day, and no doubt accidentally set fire to the bed. At the time the alarm was sounded a large number of our citizens were at the M. E. Church, attending the union service of the commencement of the week of prayer. The Rev. Marshall at the time was engaged in prayer but the men in the house, at the first stroke of the bell, stopped not to consider the order of their going, but went at once to the scene of the impending conflagration. Morris Herald", Jan 18, 1878 The application of Matthew A'Hern, for license, was laid upon the table. (City Council Meeting of Jan 14). "Morris Herald", June 22, 1888 Matt A'Hern who left here about nine years ago, spent Sunday in Morris. Matt. is now doing business at Miller, Dak. He with his brothers are settling up his brother, James' estate, who died in Chicago, two months ago. There is no gravestone for Adaline Pitcher in Grundy Co. Lea