Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-26
MAJOR MULFORD'S DUPLICITY
Deserts the Wife Who Won for Him His
Shoulder Straps,
HE MARRIES A SAN FRANCISCO BELLE

Embarrassing Complication in the
Majors Divorce Proceedings In
Omnbn-Dccree Not on Record
in District Clerks omcc.
/ Major Harry b. Mufords romantic mar
riage at Reno, New, last Tuesday, as told
in press dispatches, may be to him re-
/ bounding boomerang that will dim the luster
of his glded shoulder straps.
The day prior to his marriage, Anna Belle
Pope Mulford, the first wife of the major,
appeared before Judge Fawcett in this city
aud obtained a divorce from her husband.
Major Mulford was not represented in court,
although legal notice had been eerved, and
default was entered. But the major has
not paid the costs. so there is no record
in the district clerks Office to show that
he has been legally separated, and siuce
his recent marriage the question of legality
arises. Many lawyers say that under pres
ent conditions the major has two wives.
Major Mulford is we'll known in Omaha
having lived here for ten years prior to
the late war. The announcement OF his mar
riage has caused much adverse criticism
from his erstwhile friends. for it is gen.
| orally accepted fact that Mrs. Milford was
faithfully devoted to her husband. She is
highly cultured and has strong mind. She
was ambitious for the success OF her hus-
| band, and to her more than to any other he
owes his promotion to the rank of major.
She enlisted the influence of prominent men
IN Omaha. among whom were Edward Rose
water and Senator Thurston, on behalf of
her husbands promotion, and supplemented
this effort by personal visit to the White
House, where she pleaded as only woman
can plead, that her husband be given the
place he now holds. Summing it up briefly,
the discarded wife placed the straps upon
the uniform Of Major Mulford. Although
Mrs. Milford was the plaintiff in the divorce
proceedings. it was established in court that
she had been deserted.
Life Burden to Her.
In her petition Mrs. Mulford set forth that
for two years past her husband had treated
her coldly, but she was inclined to forbear in
the hope that sunshine would return to their
household. She did not relax her efforts for
his promotion, but after the triumph was
achieved 1t is alleged that he became more
cruel than ever and heaped numerous indig-
mites upon the trusting woman.
At last she decided it was useless to trust
him further. and on October S, while the
major was in Omaha on furlough, she filed
suit for divorce through her attorney John
Fl. Grossman. The major went back to San
francisco. where he was stationed. and the
case came before Judge Fawcett last Monday.
Mrs. Milford is at present in Washington
City. visiting friends. She will be notified
that the divorce decree is not on record and
II she desires, 1t is within her power to have
the pending decree annulled, and then Major
Milford will find himself in the midst of a
most unpleasant ENHANCEMENT. 1t is said
that he had due notice to pay the costs in the
case, but that he did not attend to it. The
dispatches say that Major Mulford has sailed
from San Francisco for the Philippines, and
he is now well on his way across the water.
At the district clerks office. 1t is regarded
as possible, however, that the major may
have mailed the necessary cost fund from
San Francisco before starting, and that the
letter has been delayed.
When Major Mulford was in Omaha at the |
time of the filing of the divorce suit he
agreed to pay his wife s75 per month alimony
out Of his salary, which is said to be $2OS !!
per month.
What Judge F.wcett Says.
When Judge Fawcett was told of Major
Mulford's marriage, he said: Eyes, granted |
divorce to Mrs. Milford on the allegations
she presented in this court, but If she should |
appear before me and ask to have the decree
SET dslue, ! WOulu 10 SO III tnree minutes |
Friends Of Mrs. Mulford are SO indignant
on account of what they term the fagrant
conduct of the major that she may possibly
be influenced to take action to render void
the decree. 1t is alleged that by reason of
the abuse heaped upon her Mrs Milford is
almost an invalid. To one of her sensitive
disposition, such conduct as is charged
against her husband was trying upon her
nerves. 1t Is stated in her petition that he
had for years absented himself from home
of nights and evinced absolute indifference
as to her feelings. The Mulfords were
married in Washington City October II,
1888. They have one child, years old. The
little one is with the mother.
San Francisco dispatches say that Major
Mulford married Miss Nellie Martland a
member of the San Francisco -four hun
dred." They first met at the Preside when
Major Milford was stationed there with the
Nebraska volunteers That was OF course
before the action for divorce had been
started here, but the major courted and won
The California butterfly, and the marriage
ook place at Reno the next day after he had
been appraised by wire that the divorce had
been granted. 1t Is eaid, however, that he I
lad been previously informed that the de-
cree would not be recorded until cost con-
iitions had been complied with. The new
Mrs. Mulford did not go to Manila with her
husband, but 1t is understood that she is to
DIN him there later. Why they went to !
Reno to have the marriage ceremony per- l
ormed Is not stated.
Time was when Major Mulford was popu-
ar in Omaha. The gracious influence of {
Mrs. Milford was a factor largely in his
avor. thus the current indignation on ac-
cunt OF his matrimonial escapade f.,
SAFEGUARD OF LIFE AND LIMB ..