McGuire v. McGuire

Facts

Plaintiff, Lydia McGuire, married Defendant, Charles McGuire, on August 11, 1919. At the time of marriage Defendant was a bachelor of 46 or 47 years of age and had a reputation of extreme frugality, of which Plaintiff was aware. Plaintiff had been previously married and had inherited a one-third interest in 80 acres of land from her previous husband. Plaintiff brought an action against Defendant to recover suitable maintenance and support money. Plaintiff testified that defendant was a poor companion and that he would give her only small amounts of money on request. Plaintiff worked the fields and did chores. For several years she had raised chickens and sold poultry and eggs to buy clothing, things she wanted, and groceries. The house was not equipped with a bathroom, bathing facilities, or an inside toilet. Plaintiff was privileged to use all the rent money she wanted from the 80 acres of land. She used this money to visit her daughters, and Defendant provided no fu nds for such use. Plaintiff had three abdominal operations for which Defendant paid, but Plaintiff was no longer able to raise chickens. Defendant had land in the value of $83,960, bank deposits in the sum of $12,786.81, and income of $8,000 or $9,000 a year. Defendant appealed the trial court’s ruling in favor of Plaintiff, alleging that the decree was not supported by sufficient evidence, and is contrary to law.