Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-27
DIVORCE GRANTED

FORMER oTTuMWANs PRINCE
PALS IN DIVORCE PROCEED.
INGs IN CHICAGO.
In sensational and record break
ing divorce proceeding yesterday be-
fore Judge Brentano in Chicago court
room Mrs. Mary e. Fetzer was given
a decree granting her legal separa-
ton from her susband John G. Fetzer
upon the grounds of desertion. Mr.. and
Mrs Fetzer were married in OttumWa
nineteen years. They have resided IN
Chicago for nine years.
The news of the divorce does not
come as any great surprise to the
friends Of the Fetzers. For many year
1t has been known that their home
life was unpleasant. While individual
ly most nffable and agreeable persons
together they have been called mis-
mated. They were incompatible IN
their natures and their home was in
constant state of domestic turmoil,
was the way Mr.. Fetzer's attorney =.
A. Munger of Chicago put 1t yesterday,
Mr.. Fetzer is said to have had social
ambitions for his family commensurate
with his own business and social posi-
ton. He fitted up a fine home at 4
Chalmers place in the heart OF the Nc
Cormick seminary grounds and OF this
he proposed to make an ideal place IN
| which to live.
| He would have servants to do the
work that his wife could give her time
to her family, society and the enter
| tainment of his friends. He would
have governesses and private tutors
| for his child. stable full of fine
horses and the hundred and one 9th
or things within the reach of the rich
man.
Wife His Opposite In Tastes.
But Mrs. Fetzer had more simple and
democratic tastes. She would do her
own work and needed no servants. So,
ciety she frowned upon and would not
enter into its gossips and Its intrigues
Her home and its work were her
sphere and when she left these it was
to enter the circle of co-workers in the
church, whose tenents taught her fru
gality and the avoidance of display OF
ostentation.
Thus the two temperaments carved
each different path. 1t became mere
ly question Of endurance, and the
break in the family came three years
ago. Mr.. Fetzer left the North Side
home. never to return to live as hus
band and father and has had quarters
at down town hotel.
But three witnesses were heard BY
Judge Brentano yesterday, Mrs. Fet
ger and her parents Mr.. and Mrs. w
B, Armstrong, All North Jefferson
street, this city. Both parents gave tes
! timony corroborative of the desertior
plea. Mr.. Fetzer. they stated had lef
his wife May 2, 1902 Their daughter
had always been dutiful wife.
Mrs. Fetzer followed her parents
and was asked Just eight questions
She swore that the divorce proceeding
was not the result of private agree
ment between them.
4 Attorney Munger told the court he
had been authorized to offer Mrs. Fet
ger $4,000 alimony $4,000 to be paie
at once and the remainder in five
wears. When the decree was granted
Attorney Munger handed Attorne.
McNett a check signed by Mr. Fetze
for $4,000. The $500 was for cour
costs and incidentals.
Mrs Fetzer would not discuss tn
divorce With evident feeling and re
, gard for her former husband, she re
) fused to say one word about the case
Mr.. Fetzer also declined to discus
, the case.
Say anything against the woman
lived with for nineteen years?" h
! said. "Well, I guess not"
Breach of Promise Suit.
One feature of the Fetzer cas-
which is recalled by the divorce is tn
!, suit for $4,000 brought against Mr.
Fetzer by Mrs. jeanette Jerome 1
1901. Mrs. Jerome alleged breach c
E, promise. and when Fetzer denie
]. knowledge of her. produced a tintyp
e Of the two and letters of affection.
The suit was dismissed and pr
waite settlement was declared to hav
been made.
That the Jerome incident had an.
\ thing to dc with the Fetzer divorc
e was denied by attorneys for both side
yesterday.
W. H. Fetzer, 334 West Fifth stree
a He is member of the Chicago scho'
s board. is the managing receiver fc
the Chicago Union Traction compan
|, business manager of the Cyrus McCo
8 mick estate and one OF the prominel
flnanciers of the city.
I Mrs. Fetzer was represented In tt
: case by Attorney William McNett. {
!, this city, an old friend of both M
= and Mrs. Fetzer. Mr.. Fetzer VIZ
n represented by Attorney E. A. Mlunge
n OF Chicago. who delivered the Four1
o. July grafton at the celebration
n this city July 4, 1902.
" Custody Of Daughter.
i Mrs Fetzer In addition to the $3
900 alimony agreed upon between tt
attorneys. was awarded the charge
her 10-year-old daughter, Mary. wi
: the understanding that Mr.. Fetz
- may visit the child at any time. Jof
= T.. tetzer, Jr., the only other child