Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-24
GRINDING OF DIVORCE MILL
Some Queer 0apers Ont by Bstranged
Husbands and Wives,
NUMEROUS CASES NEVER PROSECUTED
Judge Fnwcctt starts n Cleansing
Crusade on His Dockct-The Re
markable Case of the Conards
-Bignmy is Easy.

In Judge Fawcett's division OF the equity
court, eleven divorce cases which had been
pending until the papers had become musty
were recently stricken from the docket for
want of prosecution. Many plaintiffs, women
especially, seem to have the idea that the
filing OF petition for divorce ends the pro.
ceedinge, and that the mere fact OF filing is
equivalent to the issuance of decree, a
glance into the records reveals a large vol.
ume of divorce business cases. 1t is stated
by the authorities that divorce seems to be
gradually on the increase, the ratio over
balancing the ber OF marriage licenses.
1t is believed that a strict inquiry into
divorce conditions would disclose several
unlawful marriages; instances where un-
sophisticated women believed themselves di-
vorced simply by reason OF the filing OF a
petition. Believing themselves thus di-
vorced, some of these women have entered
upon second matrimonial ventures. No at
tempt at criminal prosecution has been
made; in fact, there has been no investiga-
tion.
There are at present 1872 divorce cases
pending. For the year beginning October
13, 1898, and ending October 10, 1899, there
were 259 cases started. There are instances
where the original petition, the answer Of
the defendant and the decree have all been
recorded within one day. One interesting
case is that OF George and Ida Conard In
July, 1893, Mrs. Conard instituted divorce
proceedings, alleging cruelty. The case
dragged along several years and was dis
missed. In August, 1897, Mrs. Conard filed
suit the second time That case was pend
ing when, in October 1898, the defendant
became active in the proceedings and filed
bill which resulted in the issuance OF a
tn hi
the fact that the attorney who institutei
the proceedings for Mrs. Conard afterwards
| became the attorney for Mr.. Conard
Unique Allegations.
Many queer allegations are made in d.
| vorce petitions. 1t is common for women
to allege that their husbands whipped them
but as rule the men do not make such allie.
cations There are such instances on record
however The bride for divorce varies with
the standing of the contracting attorney ant
the financial ability of the petitioner. Ir
many cases the fee is low, but it is said tha
some attorneys accept a small retainer, file
petition and then allow the case to gt
by default. This sort of practice has caused
some women to believe themselves divorced
when they were not.
| In few cases women plaintiffs have be
come enraged at their attorneys for makini
disparaging arguments against their hus
bands The women in such instances con
ceived the idea that they wanted separation
but when it came to listening to causti
TRADE in court against their husbands the.
could not restrain their wifely feeling.
The dismissal of the eleven cases in Judg
Fawcett's court is only one of many sim
liar instances. There are many other case
pending that will meet the same disposition
Judges and the better class of attorneys ar
becoming more strict year by year witt
reference to divorces. 1t is known tha
many plaintiffs do not really want divorces
although in a At of anger they make tn
application. Conscientious members of tn
bar are inclined to make close inquiry befor
accepting retainers in such cases.