The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-06
MRS. BECEWlTH SUED.
Lincoln's Granddaughter Defendant in
Divorce Case.

Mount, Pleasant, Ia, Feb. 6.-War-
rem Beckwith in the district court
here has filed suit for divorce from his
wife, Jessie Beckwith, daughter of
Robert T. Lincoln of Chicago, and
granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln.
So closely are the papers filed by the
former football player, baseball pro-
fessional, Spanish war volunteer and
railroad brakeman guarded that the
cause of action is not known, but is
supposed to be desertion. The couple
have not lived together for years.
A copy of the petition has been sent
to Attorney Dunbar of Chicago, who
represents the defendant, Mrs. Beck
with, who is herself in Vermont, it is
understood.
Six years ago the story was publish
ed that Mrs. Beckwith had secured
divorce from her husband and the pa
pers were full of the subject at the
time, the full story of her elopement
and the subsequent strenuous adven-
lures of her husband being related. 1t
developed that she had not secured a
divorce. r-7 =g-i. s-
The couple have not lived together,
however, since the Spanish-American
war, in spite of the fact that child
was born to the pair while young
Beckwith was away.
Much romance is connected with
the case. The couple met in this city
ten years ago at a. football game in
which the future husband was playing
right halfback on the Iowa Wesleyan
team. Miss Lincoln was at the time
visiting at the home of her grand
father Senator Harlan.
1t was a case of love at first sight,
but the father of Miss Lincoln object
ed. His objections proved futile, for
the young couple elOped and were mar
ried. Mr.. Lincoln, when he found he
had been thwarted, made the best of
the situation and made efforts to put
his son-in-law in a responsible position
with the Pullman company in Chicago,
of which Mr.. Lincoln is president.
BY this time, however Reckwith had
become a professional baseball player
and he could not be won away from
his chosen pursuit. Then came a quar-
rel and a separation and the young
wife returned to the parental roof.
Shortly after this the Sps nish-Ameri-
can war broke up and young Beckwith
enlisted a private with Company F,
ftieth Iowa volunteers. and was sent
to Jacksonville, Fla, but there his
career, according to reports, was not
very brilliant.
While in camp Beckwith received
news that he was the father of
daughter and he obtained furlough
and proceeded to Chicago He made
efforts at reconciliation, but they
were futile. He was honorably dis
charged when the regiment returned to
Des Moines at the end of the war.
Then came the divorce story of 1900
and society manifested great surprise.
The papers were full of the romance
for days and then came an authorita-
tive denial of the whole story. 1t was
even announced that the couple were
going to live together again in a house
provided by the husband at Creston-
Soon after this young Beckwith took
q position as railroad brakeman on a
road running out of Chicago and the
papers were once more full of the af-
fair.
Beckwith's father died year and a
half ago, leaving the son an income.
His attorney made a trip to Chicago
shortly before the Papers were filed in
the divorce proceedings and it is sup
posed he took part in a conference with
members of the Lincoln family at
which terms of settlement were agreed
upon.
The suit will be tried here at the
term of court beginning February IL.
The divorce will no doubt be quietly
granted, as it is not thought that Mrs.
Beckwith will contest.
Beckwith can not be located in Mount
Pleasant and it is thought he is now
at Aurora, Ill. Mrs. Beckwith, it is I'M
derstood, is in seclusion at her fathers
Vermont home.