John H. Blackwell, vs. Eliza Jane Blackwell, Divorce Petition, Monroe County Civil Court Records, Box 981, Research Library, Monroe County History Center, Bloomington, Indiana. NOTE: The item below is the divorce petition and it is most likely NOT the only item in this file related to the divorce. According to a Monroe County (IN) marriage record index, John Blackwell married Eliza Deckard on February 22, 1900. There is no record in Monroe County they John was granted a divorce from Eliza. John H. Blackwell vs. Eliza Jane Blackwell September 1920 Plaintiff of the above-entitled cause complains of the defendant and alleges that plaintiff and defendant are husband and wife, that they were duly married on or about the (blank) day of February 1899, that they separated on or about the (blank) day of April 1920 and have not since lived or cohabited together and that they are now separated, and plaintiff further alleges that during almost all of their married life the defendant has been guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment of the plaintiff in this, to wit: there was constantly ragging at plaintiff and calling him vile names, cursing plaintiff, calling him a dog and a son of a b____; that in great anger she has often struck the plaintiff with dishes or missiles of every kind in her reach and has often threatened the plaintiff with great bodily injury and has often accused the plaintiff of illicit intercourse with other women and all until life with her became intolerable and impossible, and on account of which plaintiff separated himself from the defendant as aforesaid. Plaintiff further alleges that he has been a dutiful and faithful husband to said defendant at all times and that the failure of the plaintiff to longer live with the defendant is and was brought about solely by the defendant as alleged herein. Plaintiff further alleges that there were born and now living to the plaintiff and this defendant eleven children, eight of which are yet entitled to care and support and whose names and ages are as follows: Nellie, age 14 years; Walter, age 12 years; Delbert, age 10 years; Marie, age 8 years; Carrie, age 7 years; Vasel, age 4 years; Ruth, age 3 years; and Roy, age one year. Plaintiff alleges that the defendant is not a fit person to have the care and custody of said children, but that the plaintiff is a fit person to have such care and custody. And plaintiff alleges that he is now and for more than two years last past has been a bona fide resident of the County of Monroe and State of Indiana. Wherefore plaintiff prays the court that the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing between the plaintiff and the defendant be dissolved and that the plaintiff be granted a divorce and the custody of said children and for all other proper relief. James B. Wilson, Attorney for the Plaintiff