The record-union., 1898-07-11
NORTH DAKOTA DIVORCES.
THE TRIALS THEY UNDERGO
WHILE AT FARGO.
Charged Double Prices for Every
thing and Ostracised by
the Natives.

the Natives.
Especial Correspondence Record-Unionj
The uninitiated visitor to the city OF
Fargo, N. D., is at once amazed at the
scrutiny which he has to undergo upon
his arrival in this land of expeditions
divorces. He cannot understand the
cause of the eager gaze concentrated
upon him as he alights from the traln'
but he soon learns the reason why.
AT the arrival of nearly every train
the railway stations Of both the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific are
thronged with natives, and divorces
as we'll, some who have only arrived
few days before, and others VINO are
already "bonafide" residents almost
within grasp Of their decree" all Curl
Gus to see who the next unfortunate
husband or wife may be that is to So
journ among them for period of three
months.
Scarcely a train arrives without
bringing some new applicant for the
dissolution of the martial status. Ihey
are met at the train by their respective
attorneys who pilot them to law OF
flee, where a deposit Of $50 is made by
abused husband or WIFE recite their
tale Of woe, notes of which are taken
by the attorney and the correspond
ence ct al. filed away for future refer
ence.
This forInality over the selection Oh
boarding house is the next thing on
the tapis. Nearly every one takes
boarders in Fargo. In fact, were it
~,
called, this little city Of 10000 would
not be in the fourishing condition in
which it is to-day.
However, there are three principal
domiciles which contain the major
portion of the divorces, one hotel and
two large boarding houses. One of the
latter has always at least sixty and it is
here that one is familiarized better
with the life of those unhappy hus-
bands and wives.
Many of them, when first arriving,
are anxious to locate in a quiet out-of-
the-way place where they will not come
in contact with the outside world, and
where they can commune quietly with
their own thoughts. A room in a small
private boarding house is obtained, but
the divorce" be it man or woman.
abode where reside any Of the native
women. AS soon as it is ascertained
that the "new boarder" is a ninety day
soiourner, not only is he ostracised, but
life is made so unpleasant for him or
her. as it chances to be, that a. change
of abode is necessitated to make life
bearable This generally eventuates in
! the newcomer hieing to the large board
ing-house referred to, where the dl-
yorcees are vastly in the majority, and
these, too, of the feminine gender.
Having become installed here and the
general introduction completed. the
stranger, especially If a woman, is
hardly given time to unpack her be-
| longings It is useless to try. First
she receives a visit from several of the
| long timers those who have nearly
| completed their residence. Weary and
almost exhausted, perhaps, after long
| and fatiguing journey Of a thousand
miles or more the "novitiate" is piled
with innumerable interrogations OF ev-
! cry conceivable nature-former abode.
cause of action, residence of hubby, .
name of attorney and a thousand and
one other queries that only women
know how to ask without offending.
| If the woman is clever and is strate-
gle in her movements, she may be able
to unpack her trunk apd get her room
arranged within twenty-four hours af-
| ter her arrival.
Having related her grievances 10 the
| select few" she is compelled to repeat
| her story to the other fifty or sixty
divorces. Nor does her trouble end
here. AS soon as her tale has gone the
rounds of the entire household, she is
additionally bewildered by being COM
PEELED to listen to each individual griev-
ance of all the others. Morning, noon
and night they are comparing notes,
and the similarity of two cases is gen
orally instrumental in making bosom
friends and boon companions Of those
who have found their grievances and
causes of action identical.
| The dining-room at meal times Is a
favorite place for such discussions. AT
times it is a veritable bedlann.
My time expired to-day" a petite
blonde of the vivacious type will call
out to a friend at one Of the other
tables.
Il wish were in your place. replies
the accosted one. II have thirty days
more
And so it goes on from day to day.
| new life being inStilled by the arrival
of some new applicant.
At first the newcomer" are little
timid and with reluctance engage in
conversation about matters pertaining
| to their personal affairs, and the object
of their mission there, but within two
weeks they become as bold as the bold
| est. Meeting On the street it is COM
mon occurrence to hear one Of the la
dies call out to friend nearly block
away.
] Did you hear the news? Mary got
hers to-day"
| Did she?" is generally the response,
land so did Lizzie. My, how l wish
was in their place. Hope I'll be as
lucky, don't you? Just think Of it,
| thirty long days more"
| You can tell a divorce" almost as
| far as you can see them. that is after
they have lived in Fargo a few weeks.
Incensed by the attempt of the natives
| to ostracize them they wear bold and
/ defiant look that is unmistakable when
! passing stranger. One of their chief
! pastimes is to go to the mail morning
and evening, and it is, indeed, an anus
| ing sight to observe their facial express
| sions, evidencing elation or disappoint-
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