The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-07
CREATES A SENSATION
Wedding of McCord and Mrs. Town
send Recalls d Story.

Kansas City, Feb 6.-News of the mar
riage Monday night Of Robert H. McCord
and Mrs. John r Townsend came as
a great surprise in society circles in
both Kansas City and ST Joseph Mr.
McCord and Mr.. Townsend, from whom
Mrs. Smith was divorced four months
ago. are associated together in business
as officers of the Smith Me- Cord Town
send Dry Goods company The marriage
was to have taken place at noon today.
but when relatives OF Mr. McCord ap-
peared and tried to dissuade him from
marrying it was decided to have the cere-
mony performed without delay The Rev
Mr. Wilson married the couple AT the
home Of Mrs Abel. mother OF the bride.
at II West Armour boulevard.
Mr.. McCord and Mr.. townsend are
members of families amons the Oldest.
most wealthy and most exclusive in ST
Joseph, a city of rich old families The
father Of Mr.. McCord and the father
of Mr.. Townsend were in business to-
gether in a dry goods company. that was
founded years ago IN St Joseph and was
successful The fathers put their boys
into the business too, and IL expanded
SO that a branch was established IN
Kansas City that soon grew 10 be bigger
than the parent house in 81. Joseph The
business in Kansas City is conducted by
George c. Smith president; 4 r. No
Cord. vice president. a70 Jonn r Town
send. secretary and treasurer.
Nj Townsend was married June :. 1900.
to Miss Portia Abel. daughter Of one
OF the oldest families in Kansas city
Brokerage company. He died several
wears ago and since then his wife has
managed the business.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend spent much or
their time at their farm and country
HON" in Thornton. Clay county So
There they entertained in splendid style
ard their week end parties" were at
taiaded by many Of their friends from
Kansas city.
Among those who were most intimately
acquainted with the Townsend family
there was not much surprise when
suit FOR divorce was flied in the Circuit
court at Independence July ., 1886 IS
G. Culaertson. attorney for Mrs Town
send. made every effort to KEEP the mat
Ter q secret. notice o. the n.in- az
allegations of the petition were not given
because 10 had been taken away by th.
lawyer and be- refused 10 show il or -
tell what was in IL
Great secrecy surrounded 'he hearing
of The divorce case. too The date st FOR
IFS hearing WAS known Only 10 ID par
ties directly concerned. It was not heard
ia regular court hours or in euen coat
AZ noon ~ September -. Judge E-a-s
went into private room adjoining the
court room with Mrs Townsend. hsr
lawyer and her Witness. Ar Toxnze1s
vas FAR away IN Europe whore n bad
gone 20 avoid any embarrassment IN the
matter. and also % avoid putting any
thing IN the way q bis ~ifes Eetti7g ere
There in secret and without ferr- b..
Nr. Townsend tae divorce was sra--ed
AIRS Townsend was tn rvs; ~ take -7.
witness stand. she testified that she KS
married % Townsend June e. 81 AZ
Kansas city ard that be abandoned ne-
June o. 1913 The record az ne tezfl-nruy
iu The case shows this testimony % have
been given.
How tsd you treat your husband she
was asked
u treated hin ~f;h kind1~ss and a----
don
What dji hs co ,hat made jour co-di-
ZION intolerableZ
life struck ne 5et5re Ire servants ard
used Objectionable language H~ -u-ses
me anaa once ~ threatened % k.t ne
ss well sc Tire servants guests en- every
bofv there Sc struck ne aos Kicked re
fire. lsztly. never gave hfra zny c41se