Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-29
NO SCANDAL AT ALL
Grinnell Peoples Domestic Trou
BILE is Incompatibility.
WEALTHY MAN SUES FOR A DIVORCE
Wife Alleges That She is Entitled to a
Divorce and 100000 AIimony Out of
the 100000, Her Husbands Earth
ly Possessions.

Grinnell Aug. 27.-(Special)- 1.-THE
filing of petition for divorce by Mrs.
Morse, wife of G. r. Morse, the wealth
lest man in this city, produced a gen
uine surprise. The statement had
been sent out from here,and generally
believed at the instigation of one of
Mr.. Morse's attorneys, that one of the
causes of action was on statutory
grounds. Therefore when her petition
was fled it was found that nowhere
We're improper relations alleged, peo-
pie generally opened their eyes.
| Her petition, after reciting that she
is resident of Grinnell and has been
since August, 1899. that she was mar
ried to defendant July 81, 1899, says
that until he left her on June 6. 1901,
she was ever faithful to the marriage
VOWS and conducted herself as true
and loving wife, She charges that
since short time after her marriage
defendant had treated her cruelty and
had heartlessly sought the gratifica-
ton OF his own wishes and his own
ease and comfort at the expense of
pain and discomfort to her. "That at
times" when she had been suffering
and sick from his harsh and unkind
treatment of her he had entered her
room when she was in bed, and lying
down, from sickness and had charged
her with pretense only of sickness,
saying that nothing allied her and that
she was trying to annoy him by pre-
lenses. Such charges" she says,
were not believed by him but were
made to give her pain and to make
her fear him.
These charges were made to cause
her to believe that he had power over
her in matters concerning her own
personal liberty and in other matters
in which he was not rightfully con-
cerned." She further alleges that de-
PENDANT husband had threatened to
procure a divorce and that when told
by plaintiff that he could not show
cause he had replied that he had
enough money so that he could at any
time procure witnesses to swear false
ly and secure a divorce. This treat
ment and threats kept her in constant
fear and took away the pleasure of
living for plaintiff and made her sick.
The petition then recites that he had
| frequently charged that she had mar
ried him for his money and had talked
so cruelty to her as to make her wish
to get away from home. That she had
begged to go to Los Angeles to see her
mother but was refused, that she went
to Chicago and called on a friend and
became ill, and consulted a doctor,
that she brought nurse home with
her, but her husband had driven the
nurse from the house after two or
three days.
The petition alleges that defendant
had charged her with visiting houses
OF i'll fame in Chicago and with visit
ing Grinnell men in their homes when
sick he had sneered at her and called
lit part of the play" She says
/ defendant charged her with being
drunk, with incontinence and other
things. She also recites that on June
+, 1901, he left her and had contribute
ed nothing to her in the way of mon
ey. The petition alleges defendant to
have property to the amount of $780,
600 and asks divorce and 100000
alimony and such other relief as the
court may deem equitable.
Friends and neighbors have not been
surprised at these proceedings. They
have seen and known the causes lead
ing up to the final steps. Mr.. Morse
retired from the grain business few
years ago in which he amassed for
tune. He has lived in Grinnell thirty
years. He built a fine stone front resi-
dence, the finest in the city, and also
owns some of the most productive bus
mess buildings. His wife-the second
was comparative stranger to him
and of about one-half his age. he be-
ing 6S years of age. Public opinion
here is largely with Mr.. Morse in the
affair.