Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-26
MUSIC IS :
Her KING
CHICAGO SOCIETY WOMAN eIvEs
UP HUSBAND, HOME AND
LITTLE ONES FOR ART.
WILL GET A DIVORCE

n'Stl anu rroninent Chica9o ProreS-
sionaI Man, Furnishes One Of the
stransest Of Cases Ever Known in
a Divorce Court
Chicago, Oct. 25.-A prospective d.
vorce, which satisfies all the parties
concerned, mutual admiration, but not
love, separation without estrangement,
continuance of friendliness, and the
absolute approval of the wife's par
ents-these appear to be the salient
points in the case of DR.. and Mrs. Jo-
seph w. Wassall.
Mrs. Wassall has determined to In
stitute proceedings for an absolute di-
vorce, but no element of bitterness is
said to enter into the matter. Accord
ing to her own statement, the impel-
ling causes are two-the discovery Of
the parties that they do not love each
other, and the seductive charms Of
Mrs. Wassall's art-music.
Here is the power of music exempli-
fed as strikingly as in the cases of
st. Cecilia and Tim motheus, one of
whom raised mortal to the skies,
while the other dragged an angel
down.
Leaves Her Two Children.
It separates young and charming
woman from a handsome and wealthy
husband, from home Of luxury, and
strangest of all, perhaps her
two little children.
The parties involved in this strange
separation do not look upon 1t as a
tragedy. To them 1t is merely mu-
tual arrangement, carried out as coolly
and deliberately as real estate trans
action, and designed to promote the
happiness and welfare Of all concerned.
The children are to reside alternate.
" with each parent; the wife is to call
upon the husband and the husband
upon the wife when SO inclined; the
father-in-law will remain a close
.chum" of the son-in-law and every
thing is to be harmonious, quite in con.
sonance with correct Interpretation
of Mrs. Wassalps art.
To her mother, Mrs. w. S. Crosby,
at her residence, North State and Di.
vision streets, Mrs. Wassall said yes.
terday, after she learned that the pub.
lie had obtained an inkling of her
plans:
1--WE thought we loved. Long ago
we found we did not. You must have
seen it, mother, and many others
must have observed it. Little did l
know that my devotion to music would
ultimately develop into an all-consum-
ing force"
Finds No Pathos In Case.
Mrs. Crosby said to an Inter-Ocean
reporter:
81 fail to find any pathetic side to
this affair. Every one is satisfied.
No one will suffer. Divorce proceed.
ings will soon be instituted, but the
children, Ellen, aged IL, and Joseph,
aged 4, will have their father and
mother equally as much as ever be.
| fore.
"No man has been and will remain
to be more welcome in our home than
DR.. Wassall. He will bring the chill
dren here at times, and when they
make thier home with us, as thcy will
at intervals, the mother will go call
ing at the fathers home, 444 Chestnut
| street.
''My daughter began whistling in a
most charming manner when only a
little girl. In that manner l discover
ed her talent. Gradually her passion
for music has developed. and only a
few days ago Bernaru Ziehn, her in
structor, spoke of her as woman OF
great PROMISE
"My daughter has her profession
DR.. Wassall has his. They are both
willing to meet as friends, and will re-
main as members of our family.
"The world will never comprehend
the popularity Of our position. Their
spheres were destined to be different
Their separation is the most honora
BILE way out of it. They both opened
their hearts to us, without each others
knowledge, years ago"
Is "chum" OF. Father-in-LaW.
Mr. Crosby. . board Of trade man
silently ncdding approval Of his wife's
statements, concluded the interview
!! by saying:
Or. HVa=5all is my insaparable
chum. We will remain chums until
! death separates u.s."
Mrs. Wassal Is at present WORKING
ion volume of childrens Christmas
scnes. which she expects to have
ready for their first rendition under
the auspices of the Hull house mex,
month.
After Cl,ristncs it is expected that
MIS-. Wasssll will take UP her resi-
dence in Boston. where Kathryn Pea
body, her col'aborator in several musi
cal compositions, liTes.
Mrs. WassaN's greatest success was
her Shakespearean Song Cycle, which
was received with much favor at Car
negie hall, New York, last winter