David, Delia & promises made but not kept

Back in the day --- before so many other forms of entertainment developed to divert us --- a good drama played out before a judge in the courtroom of the Lucas County Courthouse was sure to draw a capacity crowd. Especially if it had been well publicized beforehand, as was the case thanks to Henry Gittinger and his Chariton Leader during early March of 1909 when Delia Herman's breach of promise suit against David Bell was on the docket.

The following appeared in prime position on the front page of The Leader of March 4 under the headline, "David and Delia."

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One of the sensational cases at the coming March term of court will be that of Delia Herman vs. David Bell, in the sum of $10,000 damages for breach of promise. The plaintiff claims that the defendant talked endearingly to her on many and diverse occasions, thus gaining her affection and confidences, accompanied by a promise of marriage; that after this the sun seemed to shine brighter, the birds sang more sweetly, the days were more cheerful and the anticipation of bliss caused her life to ripple along like the brook --- forever and forever --- with David by her side, oh so tranquilly. One night they sat in the parlor billing and cooing to each other when trustfully she leaned her head over onto his manly bosom (or words to that effect) and she looked into his eyes where love was fondly written and said:

"David, how loudly your watch ticks."

"Watch," he replied, with subdued emotion, "that ain't my watch dear, that's my heart beating," and then he planted the seal (several times) on her red lips.

But he afterwards grew less constant and denies the allegations and now she proposes to bring him to time and test whether it was his heart or his watch which trifled with her affections, for it is a well known fact that David has the wherewithal to heal lacerated hearts, although his lobe of life may have petrified within his breast.

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One thing to remember here is that Henry never would have tried a stunt like this in print had either Adelia Herman or David Bell been people of consequence in Chariton. But since they weren't, their pending courtroom confrontation was fair game as the butt of a joke.

Adelia, age about 53 at the time, was somewhat challenged in the marital department after having divorced three husbands --- Albert H. Parker, John Dismore and a Mr. Herman. She had lived in Chariton since the 1880s and her two adult children, Ina and Walter, also lived here.

David, age about 75, was a prosperous Columbia-area farmer who had retired to Chariton a few years before after parting from his wife, Sarah, who had remained in Smith County, Kansas, where the couple had moved to be near their sons. He was now beginning to be afflicted by what was called  at the time "softening of the brain" and would be dead less than a year after Adelia filed her suit.

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Those anticipating courtroom drama, however, were denied. In his edition of March 11, Henry reported, "In the breach of promise case of Adelia Herman vs. David Bell. Settled among the parties themselves with satisfactory stipulation and dismissed. Thus a good morsel has been taken away from the spectators."

In a later edition, Henry reported that Adelia had reached the settlement without consulting her attorney, who then sued her to collect his fee. The outcome of that suit was not reported.

David continued to live independently in Chariton, but hopped aboard a train to Knoxville during January of 1910 and while staying overnight there slipped loose from his moorings and wandered outside partially dressed. After nearly freezing to death, he was retrieved by his sons and taken to Kansas, where he died on March 7. His remains were returned to Iowa for burial in the Columbia Cemetery.

Adelia left Chariton for time, but eventually reconciled with her second husband, John Dismore, and they spent the remainder of his life together. She died in Chariton at the age of 81 in 1937 and was buried with John in the Chariton Cemetery.