Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-17
Marshalltown Man Finds Him
self in a Peculiar Predica-
ment if Letter is True
FIRST WIFE NEVER DIVORCED
After Writing Her Husband Years Ago
That She Was Free She Claims Now
to Never Have Obtained Decree
Threatens Him Unless He Settles
Husband Applies to Court for Relief.

After supposing for fifteen years that
his first wife had obtained decree OF
divorce in Illinois w. Parkest Watson
of EOS North Sixth street finds him
self in a peculiar predicament. Mrs
Watson No. ! has written him from
Streator, H., saying that she never did
get divorce, and that his second mar
riage therefore is illegal. She threatens
him in the letter with prosecution UNI
less he at once settles with her. In the
way of settlement Watson has placed
the case in the hands of an attorney
and has filed a petition for divorce.
The fling of Watson's petition
brought to light the receipt of the let
ter from Mrs. Watson No. at Streator.
Frances NJ. Watson is named as de-
PENDANT, and the petition alleges that
they were married at Newport, KY,
in December, 1871. The petition is very
brief, ard cites desertion in December,
1884, as tho cause. The plaintiff prays
that the marriage contract between
them be annulled, cancelled, set aside
and held for naught.
Mr.. Watson was seen at his home
this afternoon and asked about the cir
cumstances. He was willing to talk,
and was anxious that an explanation
be made to set him right before his
friends. He says that when his first
wife deserted him they were living In
this city. She left him three small
children, the youngest, daughter. now
Mrs. Fred Nichols, of Minerva, then be-
ing but years of age. He was COM
for, being hard working man, and
no time TO devote to them during the
day. he must necessarily find places for
them to live. The Oldest son. Claude.
was placed with Rev. Nathan Edsall,
at Hartland: William p, was sent to
the Iowa Soldiers Orphans Home, and
the daughter, Minnie, was given to Mr.
and Mrs b. l.. Pyle, who adopted her
and reared her as their own child.
Four years after Mrs. Watson left
him. Mr.. Watson says, he received ii
letter from his wife. dated at Mon
mouth. Ill.,, saying that she Was free
again. He answered her, expressing
his hopes that she would be happy, and
from that time. until last winter, moth
ing was ever heard from her until
A letter came one day addressed to
Capt. C. c. Pignan. of the central IRE
station. 1t was signed by Mrs. FANNIE
Moore. and was written at Streater,
III. Mrs Moore claimed to be the
mother of w. p and Claude Watson.
both of whom were then firemen in the
employ of the city, and asked OF them.
The letter was turned over to w. r.
Watson, who answered 1t and resulted
in his mother making a visit here only
a few weeks ago The son, William,
ACCOMPANIED her to Streator and Is
now making his home there. While
here recently Mrs. Watson passed as
Mrs. Watson and not as Mrs. Moore.
The first information that Mr.. Wat
son had that his wife claimed she had
never obtained divorce was IN the
recent letter that came from Streator,
after her return there from her Mar
shalltown visit. Mrs. Watson writes
that while here she learned that he Is
again married, and says that ne IS a
bigamist and that the wedding was
illegal. She states positively That she
was never divorced, and that she is the
real Mrs. w. p Watson. She UNDER
lines the signature to- enforce the race
upon the recipient OF the letter, after
telling him that II ne wants to avoid
trouble the time to settle is now. The
letter was turned over to an attorney
to answer, and Mrs. Watson was given
to understand that the government
might like to see the letter, because OF
Its threatening character.
MIR. Watson was married on Nov. b,
1895, to Miss Catherine Pursel, who
has lived happily with him in this
city ever since. Both Mr.. and Mrs.
Watson are sorry to think that such
a thing should ever be brought into
their lives, but they have acted in the
best Of faith, and had no knowledge
whatever that the first wife had never
secured divorce. They are not sure
yet, they claim. and having nothing but
the first wife's word. Rather than run
any risks in the future, however, Mr..
Watson will obtain his divorce, if the
court will grant it, and will then re-
marry his present wife.
Mr.. Watson is not worrying at all
over the outcome, and says that his
friends will understand, from the ex-
PLANTATION, the true circumstances. Mr.
Watson is an upright and honorable
citizen, and has many friends in the
city. He is an Odd Fellow and for
eight years, during his membership
In the Soldiers Home, acted as Home