The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-02
HE GAVE his WIFE Up.
Carrying Out socishstic Ideas as to
the Mari age Contract.
From the S. Louis Republic.


From the 81 Louis Republic.
NEW YORK, June 2S,-Henry Gaylord
Wiltshire, who is a rich socialist-surely q
curious auomaly-and who, moreover, is
uuquestionably one of the most skillful ex-
Founders of sociallstic doctrines in this
country, is at present sojourning in the
Adirondacks, accompanied by his wife, and
is seeking rest and recreation and
paying board TO summer landlords
after the conventional fashion OBJ
served by the ordinary, every day human
contingent. But Mr.. Wiltshire is en- inter-
esting personality outside Of the fact that
he offers in himself the uncommon union
Of a bloated bondholder and an enthsi-
astic champion Of socIalistic theories. de
illustrates in notably, direct and startling
fashion the most "adyancedn Nineteenth
century ideas respecting the marriage rela-
ton, and yet at the same time offers the
illutratiOn without raising any issue be-
tween himself and the state.
Mr.. Wilshires wife, who Is an unc0m-
monty beautiful and accomplished English
woman, was, up to q comparatively short
time ago, the wife Of Mr.. Wilshire's fellow
socialist, his most intimate and we'll beloved
friend and his business aud Journalistic as
soolate, William c. Owen. Mr.. Owen is an
Englishman, a man of birth, breeding and
varied accomplishments. During his brief
career he has established and conducted
number OF magazines and periodicals., de-
voted to illuminating and enforcing social
istic arguments, and has been an industri-
GUS writer OF books designed to advance the
cause Of socialism.
The transformation of Mrs. William C.
Owen into Mrs. Henry Gaylord W ilshire. it
may be remarked, has not been attended
by any disturbance Of the Damon-Pythias
relations that have existed for 50 many
years between the men who are now her
first and second husbands. The transfer of
the woman in the case from one socialist
orator and writer to the other one has been
accomplished without any OF the unpleasant
friction that would undoubtedly have
marked the proceeding had it been gone
through with under the more staid and
conventional notions that were the
intellectual stock and trade of our
unemancipated grandfathers Wiltshire,
who in addition to being the only
millionaire socialist in the country, is
an eloquent speaker and very fascinating
man, met the Owen family in San Fran
CISCO They we're poor and he was rich, but
as Owen sympathized with his views he b.
came visitor at their house, where the
somewhat dissatisfied wife gave him genu-
inc welcome. Like her husband, she was a
used to a manner of living which their de-
pleted income made impossible for her. o wen
recognized the fact that he could not sup
port his wife in the style that she desired,
| and that Wiltshire could so support her, and
he agreed that she should apply for a dis
vorce and he would not defend No charge
OF lnt1delty on either side was possible
The only reason given to the California
courts was incompatibility of temper. 1t
was no unusual plea in that state and the
decree OF divorce was made
mo one knows says a socialist friend.
and none will ever know, what il cost
Owen freely to give up to his friend the
woman he had loved. 1t was better for
her, however, and he argued that if she
could not love him he had no right TO hold
her. He found no fault with W ilshire for
his part in the matter, and declared that he
would continue their friend after the mar
riage Shortly after the campaign last
year, just when they we're most prominent
ly before the public, Mrs. Owen became
Mrs. Wiltshire by civil contract The bride
and bridegroom left Los Angeles for the
east Immediately afterward and Owen and
his l0-year-old daughter Nora remained be-
hind. They followed east in a few DAYS.
and after further conferences the daugh.e r
was put in the care of the mother Before
the Wilshires left town for the summer
owen went to see them regularly, teaching
the little girl French and German and look
ing after her education generally. The in
duStrial question and the marriage question
are closely allied argued Mr.. owen. and
no woman should be kept in bondage by
any man, either as a wageearner or as a
wife. When for any reason husband and
wife cannot agree, they should separate
openly and honestly. Women should have
equal rights with men, but the men TO-DAY
do not agree on this proposition. A time
will come when they will"