Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-29
PLEADS FOR HER LIBERTY
YOUNG WOMAN ASKS FOR SEVER
ANCE OF MARRIAGE TIE.
She Became n Wife Merely as Means
of Securing a Coveted
Appointment.

Proceedings in equity to secure the an
uulment of marriage contract, the petit
ton embracing allegations decidedly out Of
the ordinary, have been instituted In the
Supreme Court Of the District of Column
bia by Vonnie Knowles Turner. Walter p.
Turner, said to be a nephew OF Senator
Turner of Washington, Is named defendant
According to the petitioner, an intense de-
sire on her part to secure a position in con-
nection with the Paris exposition, caused
her to take steps along the matrimonial
the assistance of the court is sought in
guiding her backward.
Mrs. Turner explains that she is native
Of Xenia Ohio; that she came to this city
two years ago and Is now twenty-five years
of age Until last April she was clerk in
the Post Office Department During such
employment she says, she conceived the
idea of securing an appointment from the
United States commissioner to the Paris
exposition, and in time this idea grew to be
her sole ambition. and the principal sub
ject of her thoughts and plans. Although
she tried very hard to secure an appoint
ment. the court is informed, the young
woman met with no success, the commits
sioner being disinclined to employ young
and unmarried women. She was led to be-
neye, however, that were she married her
husband would have no difficulty In Sc
curing an appointment, and in that event
side in Paris during the exposition period.
Continuing, Mrs Turner informs the
court Mr.. Walter P. Turner was merely
one of her acquaintance. She had spoken
to him several times Of her desire to go
to Paris, and on the occasion of chance
meeting, the 9th of last March, remarked
to him. in a jesting manner:
Il guess l will have to get married and
get the position in my husbands name"
An Offer of Aid.
Mr.. Turner, she says, Immediately in
formed her that he would like to assist her
and would, if she cared to do SO, marry
her so that she could carry out her pur-
pose. He assured her. it is pointed out
that the marriage would be temporary,
and when she had been enabled to be in
Paris during the exposition, it could be dis
soived-that it would not be necessary for
them to assume the cOnjugal relations.
BY reason of her youth, inexperience and
tgn' rance, says the petitioner, she was
fnaatE led to believe the representa- tons Of
Mr.. Turner, although she at first declined
to accept his proposition. The following
Alexandria and We're married. They at
once returned to Washington, proceeded to
their respective homes, and. 1t is declared
have never lived together. The plan of
going to Paris was abandoned soon after
the marriage.
In concluding her appeal that the court
declare the marriage null and void the pc
titioner, who is represented by Attorney c.
Albert White, recites that being very
young woman and having lived a secluded
llfe in small town under the shelter of
her parents home, she was unacquainted
with the world, and knew nothing Of the
laws OF marriage. and being. in q large
measure, ignorant and thoughtless of the
gravity OF the marriage relation, she had
entered into the marriage contract without
re1leCtlnR upon its seriousness