The Meeker herald., 1906-09-22
Who Shall Build Fires and When
Guests May Come stipulated
in Agreement = Couple
Happy Thus Far.

Dies Moines.-Isaiah F. Harding and
Mrs. Isabella Engelbrecht of Dallas
county, Iowa. had not found smooth
sailing upon the sea of matrimony, al
though both are. comparatively speak
ing, rich. Twice each had been mar
ried and twice divorced.
When, therefore, seeking a consola-
ton prize, Harding asked Mrs. En8el-
brecht to be his, extreme caution at
tended her Affirmative response. Wed
better lay down some rules to 60 by"
she said, and Harding agreed.
The result was the most remarkable
nuptial contract ever drawn in Iowa
and, perhaps in the world. Veteran
lawyers say they have never seen
anything quite like 1t.
1t arranges for almost every posi-
BILE contingency that may arise In the
welded life of two people.
The contract plainly sets forth. who
shall build the fires, when the husband
may bring home guests to meals, when
the relatives of each shall visit them,
how the money is to be divided. how
often the wife may attend social func-
lions without being scowled at-and
ever fixes a limit to the number OF
possible future Hardings.
BY observing in minutest detail the
terms Of this remarkable document
Harding and his third wife have al
ready enjoyed two months of life to-
gether without cloud appearing in
their matrimonial sky. The contract
provides:
THAT we, by the terms of this
agreement, made this third day Of
May, A. D. 1906. between Isaiah Hard
even fixes a limit to the number of
ing. Of the county Of Dallas and state
of Iowa, party of the first part. and
Isabella Engelbrecht, of the county Of
Polk and state of Iowa, of the second
part, do hereby bind ourselves by
this covenant to carry out entire and
in detail the terms Of this solemn OBJ
LEGATION SO that we, as man and wife.
may dwell together in peace and har-
mony 20 long as this said covenant
shall be in force. to wit: From the
said third day Of May. A. D. 1905. un-
til the third day of May, 1921. period
Of Is years.
1T is hereby agreed and stipulated
between said Isaiah F. Harding, party
of the first part, and said Isabella En-.
gelbrecht, party of the second part,
that II at the end of the fifteen years
Aforesaid described we or either of u
shall have cause to believe that such
union IL not for the best interests OF
either Of US the said same union shall
be terminated by either party without
further formality; providing that, II
/, at any time during the period above
set forth, either should wish to relfn'
quish the bonds of matrimony such &C.
tion shall not be taken except with
due process of law.
I'VE hereby agree that we shall
Jointly and severally settle upon the
children of each by former marriage
sue-half Of the estate Of each, the said
sne.half of the estate of the party oil
the FIRST part to be settled upon mis-
children and the said one-half Of tAe
estate Of the party Of the second cart
upon her children. Deeds and paper1
20 this effect shall be duly signed
transferred and recorded upon the
completion Of this covenant. And this
shall be regarded ~ applying to psf
sonal property a. we'll ~ real.
"And we hereby bind ourselves te
the faithful performance Of the FOL
lowing stipulations, - far - within vi
lies: