The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-05-30
IOKLHOMA MISMATES
HURT BY DE-
CISION
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Were Brought Into Being
by the 9O.Day Law.

The recent dc aeiss BY the United
States supreme court to the effect that
divorce suit must be obtained in the
state In which both parties reside. has
created greater havoc as result OF get.
quick divorces in Oklahoma than was
az FIRST supposed The total number ar
fected runs wen into the thousands, ana
on the list are names of persons prom
inent everywhere.
70 secure legal separation for PER-
sons who were mated Enthusiastically
was an established business In Okla
homa back IN 1898 and 1894. when the
laws permitted newcomers to get a di-
vorce after living here for period OF
ninety days. Lawyers who had estab-
liTned a reputation in getting quick d.
eorces became wealthy as a result. the
s'nnkeepers waxed rich and the CLERKS
OF the district courts TO whom the di-
vorce fees went, as salary, prospored.
The divorce lawyers had travelling men.
as do hotels and baggage men at present
The agents would board incoming trains
fifty or one hundrcd miles from this
place. meet persons who were to be ap-
rncabts for divorces, and then present
the merits and successes OF their ON
ployers in the divorce business. At
times several such aeeats would besiese
the saihc applicant, and upon several
occr sions the case would be let to the
lowest bidder
Hagenbeek Sought divorce.
II was In those days that Hagenbc *
the Snowman, came here to obtain di-
vorce but he was one OF the few unsuc-
cessful ones. One OF the Kiralfy BROTH
ers came here with a divorce in view,
but the country was so crude that he
decided TO put up with his domestic life
at home rather than remain longer In
Oklahoma.
Mrs. Helen Caurchll Candee. the we'll
known author was an Oklahoma divor-
Gee. ana While IN this place for her nine =
ty days residence, she obtained the ma
| terial with which to write her Okla
homa Romance" She was accompanied
by her two children and several maids
and lived in style
Old-timers say that the most beauti-
fu woman who ever came here for a
get-quick divorce was Princess Yznaga,
a member Of the royal Buenos Ayres
family OF that name. She lived here for
the prescribed time ana secured di-
yorce She also was accompanied here
by whole bevy OF maids. Her husband
was q prominent New YordeT, Another
wo' 1, who came direct from England
TO get divorce, afterward married a
member Of parliament and is said to be
living there as his wife today.
One justice refused to grant di-
vorce to Mrs Mary Allen Johnston. the
wife Of prominent san Diego. Cal,
merchant, because she did not ask fot
the custody Of her own child. The Judge
said a womar's petition for divorce
unless the custody of the only child was
asked, was heartless. Afterward. how
ever she obtained a divorce at Perry.
she is described now by those who re-
member her, as a beautiful woman OF
charming manner highly cultured and
educated. She left her husband and
little daughteA In California, presum-
ably to visit her parents in Kansas aud
after arriving decided 60 try for di-
vorce- Her husband was not even con-
suited.
J. Charles Beech a legal writer OF
prominence of New York city. was an
unsuccessful applicant for divorce here
IN 1893. His intentions were OF the
best, but his wife was notified In scne
manner and came on the scene She
succeeded In getting the Oklahoma su-
preme court TO recall the divorce decree
granted him Ia the lower court, and then
for the FIRST time. was the legality Of
the ninety-day residence attacked The
advertising this case secured finally re-
suited In the passage Of a law a few
years later killing the ninety-day 3ause
,n the divorce law.
"Charlie' Stephens. ~ 1898. was q
typical young New Yorker Of the exclus-
I've society. He had been petted and
pampered at home. but knew but little
Of the ways ofthe outer world The hsst
time he left home Tor any length OF time
he became ens1ared by a chorus girl
and before he could return he was mar
ried 20 her lie was then not yet 20
years old. His fond parents were ter
ribly shocked, but finally the young
Mrs, stephens returned 10 the footlights
and Charles" mamma brought him 20
Guthrie for a divorce. She remained
with him about three weeks. believing
she had him mugly tucked away for