The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-07
DIVORCE SEEKERS MECCA.
Oklahoma the Point of Interest to Mis-
mated Couples-Society People from the
East Avail Themselves of Its OppOr
tunities.

mated Conples-Society People from the
East Avail Themselves of Its OppOr
tunities.
oklahoma City, Okla, June COX
lahoma is fast outstripping South Da-
kota as a place where divorces may be
obtained quickly and with complete
privacy. The laws are not only liberal.
but very flexible, and are so construct
ed that the most calling matrimonial
bonds can be sundered with neatness
and dispatch.
1ll-mated couples are beginning to
learn of the advantages offered them
by this territory, and they are flocking
here in large numbers from all parts
Of the Union to rid themselves of un-
congenial partners in wedlock. Di-
vorce-getting has come to be consid-
cred by the bona fide residents Of Okla
homa as one Of the firmly established
industries.
In this city alone there Is a colony Of
200 people who have come here in
search Of marital freedom, and in the
territory there are at least 1000 per-
sons who are seeking to establish legal
residence preliminary to applying for
divorce. Oklahoma City has the larg-
est divorce colony in the territory, be-
cause 1t has better hotel accommoda-
tions than any rival town and offers
more facilities for amusement to those
who elect to make the territory their
home for ninety days, the time required
by law to establish legal residence.
On the ninety-first day after arriving
in the territory papers may be filed
with the clerk of any district court, it
not being necessary to begin the suit
In the county in which the plaintiff is
supposed to reside.
The majority of those living in the d.
vorce colony in this city are society
people from the larger cities, who either
have trivial causes on which to base
their complaints or shrink from the
publicity to which a suit would subject
them at their own homes. There are
fashionable boarding houses established
here that cater to the divorce colony
exclusively. Excursion parties to
neighboring Indian reservations are of
daily occurrence, and many pleasant
days are spent on the banks Of the
rivers amid the trees that abound there.
Travelling companies Of players always
receive liberal patronage from the
colonists. and fashionable box parties
are the rule whenever the little opera
house Is opened to the amusement seek
ers.
Usually the members of the Okla
homa City colony do not file their suits
in Oklahoma county. but go to some re-
mote district where the local newspa-
per is known to have the most limited
circulation. Through the advertising
columns Of this paper service on the
defendant In the case Is obtained, which
Is all that Is necessary under the law,
and when the case Is set for hearing
but one witness is required to establish
the allegations made In the complaint.
If desired, the hearing may be had In
the Judges private chambers, with no
one present save the plaintiff, his attor-
ney and the Judge. The court officers
are always willing and anxious to
please their patrons, and when ver-
dict is rendered they gladly secrete
all papers that refer to the case.
1t Is even possible for persons to
come here. live for ninety days under
an assumed name, then go to the neigh
boring county, quietly file their COM
plants against husband or wife, as the
case may be, using their real names.
and leave the territory without any
one. except the lawyer and the Judge,
knowing who they really are. or what
their mission In Oklahoma has been.
This Is often done, and there are many
DeOple in this clty some OF whom n re
prominent in the financial and society
world, whose identity Is not known
and whose business here is not sus-
pected. As might be supposed, many
Of those in the divorce colony spend
money lavishly, and their custom is
much sought after by business men.