Monday, October 19, 2015

Potter Insanity Case, 1888, Washington

Our wonderful Washington State Digital Archives (www.digitalarchives.wa.gov) is a free and wonderful source for those researching in the Evergeen State.

One of the databases on the Washington Digital Archives site is Frontier Justice. Spokane case #133 was in 1886 for one Reuben B. Potter, insanity. My interest piqued, I did some further looking.

The 1883 census of Garfield County, shows R.B. Potter, age 42, b. NY, a mechanic;  Viola Potter, age 32, b. NY; A. H. Potter (son), age 15, b. IL;  G.H. Potter (son), age 13, b. IL; and Minnie E. Potter, age 12, b. IL.

The 6 Apr 1885 census for Pomeroy, Garfield County, shows R.B. Potter, age 44, b. NY, farmer; Viola E. Potter, age 38, b. NY; Albert H. Potter, age 18 and Minne E. Potter, age 12.

The 1887 census adds confusing evidence:  H.C. Potter, age 55, b. NY, Viola E. Potter, age 38, b. NY; R.B. Potter, age 45, b. NY;  George Potter, age 18, b. NY; and Minnie Potter, age 14, b. NY.

So why, in 1888, did Viola E. Potter, plaintiff, divorce Reuben B. Potter in Garfield County? 

And why is their case listed as "probate" with case type as "insanity" in case #133?? 

Guess it's up to descendants to solve this mystery.

I can add that I did find that in 1910, Albert E. Potter, age 43, b. IL, was living in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington.

And Minnie E. Potter m. George T. PICKETT on 9 Mar 1904 in Clark County.

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