Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-18
EADED IN Vain.
-,yICT,s PATHETIC LETTER TO
WIFE WHO OUGHT DIVORCE.
SHE SPURNED HIS PRAYER.
LOVE OF MAGGIE OvERBECK FOR
HER HUSBAND WAS DEAD.
Mnrien r. Curtis, Daughter of Colonel
j. G. stowe, Given Separation
Papers From Her Husband
Charley Purvis Civ
en- 81 Decree.
SHE sPURNED HIS PRAYER.

Maggie +. Overlook, the young ahu
good looking cashier of the cafe at the
Midland hotel. was divorced yesterday in
the circuit court by Judge Gates. 1t was
a strange case of divorce, with a great
deal of the pathetic in it. The husband
A. Price Overlook, was not in court, but
lad sent the Judge Il most peculiar plea
in which he said that his wife was a wom-
TN of exemplary character, he ioVed her
very much and wished she would ABANDON
her intention of getting a divorce. He
asked the judge to try to persuade her
10 live with him again, but If she refused
and was granted q divorce, he requested
the Judge TO give him the privilege OF
seeing their child as often as he wished.
Mrs. Overbeck's reason for asking a di-
vorce was that her husband had been sent
to the penitentiary in August, 1886, Tor
stealing. She was married to him IN
Tullis court, this city, in April, 1885.
Her attorney, 7. T. Witten, read to
Judge Gates yesterday the petition for di-
yorce and a communication from Mr.. Over
beck TO the court in which he admitted
all things set out in his wife's petition.
and went on TO say:
MY wife has faithfully demeaned her
self and discharged all her duties as my
wife. She was at all times a kind and
affectionate wife.
Admits He Was q Felon.
IT admit that in August. 1886, in the
county of Platte, 1 pleaded guilty to the
crime of grand larceny and was sentenced
TO the penitentiary for a term of four
years. But in october, 1897, Governor
stephens granted me a full and absolute
pardon. L am now endeayoring to lead
an honorable life, free from crime or
wrong, repenting my past offenses and
thoroughly determined to devote the re-
mainder of my life to pursuits honorable
and straightforward. unobstructive to the
the penitentiary I have been working by
the day for the ST. Joseph Gas Company,
earning an honest livelihood. Aside from
the offense of which l was convicted on
my own plea of guilty, 1 have done no
wrong and have at all times borne for
my wife and child all the love and affec.
ton which a husband and father could
bear for his wife and child. and I now
bear for each of them such love and af-
lection. 1 greatly deplore the fact that
my wife has sought a divorce, but 1 must
admit the above facts because they are
true. i ask the court to use its influence
TO try to persuade my darling wife from
pursuing her intention of getting a divorce
If she still persists. / ask the court tc
grant me the privilege of seeing my child
a reasonable number of times annually.
do not ask for the custody of the child
believe that, on account of its tender
age, its mothers fondness and affection
for II, her undisputed ability and desire t
give it proper care, raising and education
II would be to the best interests of tn,
child to remain in her custody"
Three Parties to n Divorce.
While this extraordinary plea was bein,
read. Mrs. Overlook sat on a chair nea
her lawyer. her child on her knee. Afte
reading 1t, Mr.. Witten said:
1T seems to me, your honor, that Mrs
Overlook ought to have a divorce on thi
admission that her husband has been Il
foe d Pfnileefii ia this T stntd Is statutory ground
1T is" answered Judge Gates. but Their
are always three parties 10 a divorce: IN
husband, the wife and the people Of tn
Mrs. Overlook was sworn, and took tn
witness chair. She told the story outlines
in Ter petition. Then the judge asked her
Don't you think that. after the plea h
has made here. you could live with hin
again?" civ 7 ,ever will said Mrs Over
Mrs. Overbeck's mother was next sworn
and said her daughter lived with her. an
she would care for the child. The divorc
Overlook that Mr.. Overlook would be al
lowed to see his child when he wished to.
Colonel Stoves Daughter Divorced.
Marien r. Curtis, the daughter of Colo
mel J. G. Stowe. who was recently appoint
ed United States consul to Cape Town
Africa, was given a divorce yesterday b
Judge Henry from Willard c. Curtis, tn
defaulting cashier of the American Ma
tional bank of this city. who is alleged
Ayres, Argentine. Mrs. Curtis was give
the custody of her child. She will go wit
her father soon to Cape Town.
wore n sealskin sacque in court. and SHOVE
not the least nervousness. She told a hal