The Minneapolis journal., 1906-07-22
.D|V0RCEE INSISTED
UPON A CONTRACT
The Most Remarkable Pre- -Nup-
tial Document Ever Drawn
Is Effective.

Des Moines, Iowa, July 21-lsalah
b;.d5s AsrnB d Bas naa oannv Mas owa had g
found smooth sailing upon the sea Of
matrimony, altho both are, compare,
lively speaking, rich. Twice each had
been married and twice divorced.
When, therefore, seeking a consola-
tion prize, Harding asked Mrs. Engel-
brecht to be his, extreme caution at,
tended her affirmative response. we'd
better lay down some rules to 80 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 any
thing quite like it.
contingency that may arise in the we'd
ded 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 now
often the wife may attend social func;
tions without being scowled at-and
even fixes limit to the number or pos
sible future Hardings.
BY observing in minutest detail the
terms Of this remarkable documenf,
Harding and his third wife have al
ready enjoyed two months of Life TO-
their matrimonial sky. -. . r-..--,.s T.
The Contract. ....
Text of the contract: -
Know all men by these presents:
That We, by the terms OF this 1 agreement.
made this Sd DAY of May, A. D. 1905. between
state Of Iowa. party of the first part, and lsa-
bella Engelbrecht Of the county, of. Polk and
state Of Iowa, Of the second part, do hereby
bind ourselves by this covenant to carry out
entlss and in detail the terms OF this solemn
o. Ill alton, so that we, as man and wife, may
dM,.al together in peace and harmony 80 long
wit: IRON, the suid Sd day of May, a: D..
1,T5, urtil the Sd day of May, A. D. 1871,
period Of fifteen years. -
1t is hereby agreed and stipulated between
said Isaiah F. Harding, party. Of the first part.
and said Isabella Engelbracht party of the
second part, that If. at the end OF the fifteen
shall have cause to believe that such union Is
not for the best interests Of either OF U.S.. the
said same union shall be terminated by either
party without further formality; providing that,
II at any time during this period above set
forth. either should wish to reltnquish the bonds
Of matrimony, such action shall not be taken
except with due process Of law. g.. ..,
We hereby agree that we shall Jointly and
severa1lx settle upon the children of each 9y
former marriage one-half Of the estate OF each:
the said one-half Of the estate OF the party OF
the frst part to be settled upon his children
and the said one-half of the estate OF the party
of the second part upon her children. DEEDS
and papers 10 tE1S erect SQall De uulS oiSAcO,
transferred and recorded upon the completion OF
this covenant And this shall be regarded as ap
plying to personal property as we'll as real:
Household Regulations.
And we hereby bind ourselves to the faithful
n performance of the following stpulat1ons, so 1al
as within lies: - ....:
Isaiah F. Harding. party of the first part
agrees that Isabella Engeln1echt, party OF tn
second part shall, upon Ter wedding to him
the party of the first part, receive each Weel
the sum of S15 with which to defray the house
hold expenses; but it is understood that he tn,
party Of the first part, shall furnish fuel ant
water. 90 S. .,
It IS expressly understood that from this unio
shall come not more than three children. Upo
the birth of each. or any child, tho above amoun
" sl5 per week shall be Increased SS per week
The party of the second part shall furnish dc
nestle help and to assist her in this she shal
De allowed the financial output Of poultry an
one COW from the farm herd. But II Tor an
reason It shall be found necessary to dispens
with domestic help, then 1t shall be the dut
Of the husband to build the hrss ana .s prepaf ar
winter and for the wife to build the fires an
prepare the morning meals for the remaining 81
months of the year. s, - !
Neither party shall invite guests to the house
except with the express permission of the othel
and then not oftener than twice per week; rels
tires shall not be allowed to visit the family, e,
cept that relatives Of the party of the first pal
shall be permitted to visit the home at an
time within the first two weeks Of the month {
May; relatives of. the party Of the second pal
W1t01n the laSl TWO weeks OIL tne MonCA '
October. This shall not relate in any way 4
the children Of either OF the parties Of this COW
nant. -s - =, =. Il
Must Go to Church. .
II the parties to this covenant shall reno,
to the city to live it is agreed that, in addit1c
to the costs mentioned above. party of the fir
part shall pay ice and gas expenses Furthe
more, It shall be the privilege of the party
the second part to attend two social function
each week, one of which, If the parties resit
in the city, shall be the theater; and this e
pense shall be horne by the party OF the fir
part. -:- -.
Zach Sunday the party Of the first part shs
escort and accompany the party Of the secol
part to church in the morning and again In Il
evening, should she desire 1t. ..-, ~
Party of the first part shall keep up the hou
insurance keep the premises in good conditio
furnish at all times respectable conveyance
and from town, that both himself and wi
properly clothed. take active part
any civic or rural Improvement and assist in al
political movement for the general good. It
expressly declared that he shall vote aceordi
to the dictates OF his conscience. :. q. : -
.s. .~z Isaiah F. Harding, -s
Isabella Elgelbrecht.