The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-04-10
The increase Of widowhood.

presented in the statement that the
village of Augusta, KY, with popu-
lation of only 500 souls, includes six
ty-five widows. Probably no other
village of the same size in America
contains SO many women in weeds.
The study Of the conditions most fa-
vorable to the increase of widowhood
has been neglected by our scientists
in their efforts to discover the cause
of the growing frequency of divorces.
In times of war the most unscientific
observer has noted an increase in the
number of new widows, but this has
been attributed to the theory that
very many Of those reported lost in
battles were married men. If the
number Of widows is found to be in
creasing in time of peace and ac-
knowledged prosperity new theory
must be sought. There are those who
lament the frequency of divorce upon
the supposition that it leaves women
without protection and support, while
every woman attractive enough to
secure first husband is supposed, as
widow, to be able to secure at least
twice as many eligible offers of mar
riage as before. Recent observations,
however, show that in divorce cases
there is growing tendency for the
separating parties to quickly contract
another alliance. [See Tabor, Col.
Sprague, r. l., and numerous theat-
rical cases.] If, as seems to be war;
ranted by the state of affairs in Au-
gusta, widows are becoming less pop
ular as wives, the problem is indeed
q serious one. Heretofore but little
sympathy has been bestowed upon
this class ofwomen, since it has been
supposed that they were often unable
to remember their lamentcd husbands
as long as etiquet required on account
of the offers Of marriage forced upon
them.
1t cannot be that the widows of
Augusta are unattractive, since the
young ladies of that village justly
claim to be among the most beautiful
in Kentucky, and by common consent
the charms of widows are increased
in proportion to their former attract
iveness as maidens. That so many
persons should remain widows in this
village, therefore, must argue that
the ranks of widowhood are recruit
ed more rapidly than is needed to
supply the ordinary demand for wild
ows in marriage. Whence, then, this
great rate of mortality among hus-
bands? The women of Augusta do
not affect strong mindedness. They
do not assert "women's rights to
such an extent as to drive their liege
lords to drink or madness, from
which death is pleasant relief. 1t
must be that the women of Augusta
have been too careless in the selection
Of husbands. Relyingupon the usual
popularity of widows they have not
rejected any offer of marriage merely
because the would-be husband SEEM
ed near the grave. If it shall be prov
ell that divorced wives arc to take the
place in the matrimonial market
hitherto filled by widows there will
be less willingness on the part of
wives to bury their husbands, and
the census returns will show q con-
slant decrease in the number of Wild
ows. In time men offering for mat.
rimony need not be surprised to find
themselves required to present a cer-
tificate from a medical examiner as is
now required by insurance compa-
nies. 1t may be depended upon, that
SO soon as widows cease to be sought
for as wives, it will become unfash-
ionable for women to wear weeds
Louisville Commercial.