The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-01
A STRANGE Story
ofan Agreement Between Twoso
oialists. One of Them Wealthy.
ONE TAXES THE OTHERS WIFE.
The Men Were Intimate Friends and
Had a Thorough Understanding.
Husband No. Two was millionaire
and Could Best Provide for tho
wife.

NEW 1Ohht Juub Ou.--4luity Nul AOAu
Wiltshire, who is rich Socialist--surely
q curious anomaly-and who, moreover,
is unquestionably one OF the most skill
full expounders Of socialistic 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 the summer land
lords after the conventional fashion
abseryed by the ordinary everyday
human contingent. But Mr. Wiltshire
is an interesting personality outside OF
the fact that he offers in himself the UNI
common union OF bloated bondholder
and an enthusiastic champion Of Social
istic theories. Ho illustrates in a not
ably direct and startling fashion the
most advanced nineteenth century
ideas respecting tho marriage re-
lation, and yet at the same
time offers the illustration without
raising any issue between himself and
the State. Mr.. Wilshire's wife, who is
an uncommonly beautiful and accom-
plishcd Englishwoman, was, up to q
comparntivGly short time ago, the wife
of Mr.. Wilshire's fellow Socialist, his
most intimate and well beloved friend
mid his business and journalistic Rssoci-
ate, William q. Owens. Mr.. Owen isan
Englishman, man OF birth, breeding
and varied accomplishments. During
his brief career he has established and
conducted q number OF magazines and
periodicals, devoted to Illuminating and
enforcing Socialistic arguments, and has
been an industrious writer OF books de-
signed to advance the cause OF Socialism.
The transformation OF Mrs. William
G. Owen into Mrs. Henry Gaylord Will
shire, it may be remarked, has not been
attended by any disturbance OF the
Damon-Pythias relations that have OK
listed for many years between the men
who are now her first and second hus-
bands. Tho transfer OF the woman in
the case from one Socialist orator and
writer to the other one has been accom-
plished 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 tho in
tellectual stock in trade of our unemNn-
cipated grandiathers. Wiltshire, who,
in addition to being the only million
afro Socialist in the country, is an elo-
ouent speaker and very fascinating
man, met the Owen fanilyin San Fran
cisco.
They were poor and he was rich, but
as Owen sympathized with his views he
became visitor at their house, where
the somewhat dissatisfied wife gave
him genuine welcome. Like her hus-
band, she was finely educated woman,
and had become used to q manner OF
living which their depleted income made
impossible for her. Owen recognized
The fact that he could not support his
wife in the style that she desired, and
that Wiltshire could so support her, and
he agreed that she should apply for n
divorce, and he would not defend. No
charge of infidelity on either side was
possible. The only reason given to
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 Socialist
tr1cnu, ana none ever VIII kIOWy Wilut
il cost Owen freely to give up to his
friend the woman he had loved. TWAS
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 Wiltshire for his part in the
matter, and declared that he would
continue their friend after the mar
riage. Shortly after the campaign last
wear, Just when they were most promi'
ilently before the public, Mrs Owen
became Mrs. Wiltshire by civil contract.
The bride and bridegroom left Los
Angeles for the East Immediately alter.
ward, and Owen and his ten-year-old
daughter, Nora, remained behind.
mfhey followed to New York in few
DAYS, and after further conferences the
daughter was put in the care OF the
mother. Before the Nilshires left New
York for the summer Owen went to see
them regularly, teaching the little girl
French and German and looking after
her education generally. The indus
trial 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 wogeworker oil
as a wife. When for any reason hus.
band 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 wher
thcy will"