The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-09
JONES ARRESTED.
Speedy Divorce Suit Didn't Save
Theodore w.
His First Wife Also Wants
Share of Property.
NOW OUT ON BAIL.
Miss Marie Thomas, Other Wo-
man, Signs Bond.
Story of Chase Around Dakota
After a Divorce.

Nemesis has finally overtaken Theo-
dore w. Jones, the Chicago negro who
is behind the trouble in Governors
Square,
Miss Marie M. Thomas, colored, and
reputed to be wealthy, purchased prop
erty in Governors Square, and an
nounced that she would live thereon.
OF course the white property owners
objected, and tried to buy her off. Be
fore they could even make a suitable
offer for the property, Miss Thomas"
married Theodore Jones Of Chicago
The wedding, which was widely adver-
tised in Topeka, occurred about Christ
mas, and the white property owners in
the select district were in despair, as
Jones raised the price of his wife's pur-
chase, and prepared to move a house
thereon. Now Mr.. Jones is the subject
of two legal attacks, which may cause
him considerable inconvenience. He
was arrested and is under $500 bond on
a charge Of bigamy, preferred by Coun-
ty Attorney John Schenck, and likewise
is the defendant in a civil suit filed by
his real wife, Helen G. Jones of Chicago,
who wants him restrained from dispos-
ing of any Of his property until she can
get her lawful share.
Mrs. Jones No. 1 came from Chicago
few days ago, and employed John
Newell, a young attorney. to bring suit
against Jones. After hearing her story,
Newell conferred with the county at
torney, for the purpose of cinching his
civil case. 1t was necessary to bring
criminal action against Jones to estab-
lish the claim made by Mrs. Jones No.
l. The presence Of Mrs. Jones No. 1
was kept a secret, but leak occurred.
and Jones and his second wife got wind
of It, Therefore, by their attorney, j.
H. Guy, they rushed into district court
and secured a divorce Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Jones No. 2 appeared with petit
ton to set aside her marriage with
Jones ION the grounds that he had a
living wife in Chicago" She was armed
with a written agreement of appear
ance from Jones' who did not come to
the trial in person. In his written
agreement he agreed that the case
might be heard at any time, and the
court granted the decree. This divorce
was pulled off to evade the criminal
proceedings, which the pair had sighted
in the offing. Attorney Schenck says.
however, that the frenZied rush for a
divorce will not save Jones.
The complaint in the criminal case
and the suit In the civil case were filed
simultaneously Saturday evening at 5
o'clock A warrant was-issued at once,
and 80 minutes later Sheriff Wilkerson
arrested Jones at 1875 Tyler street,
where he was visiting wife No. 2, who
was divorced Thursday. Wife No. 2
signed his bond for $500, and he was
released an hour later.
The criminal case against Jones is
based On the following statement made
by Mrs. Helen Jones, wife No. 1, which
has been fully sustained by County At
torney Schenck during the past week.
The county attorney has written num-
erous letters and sent numerous tele-
grams, and the answers show conclus-
kI,,k n 4 fcS fer1f
Jones first attempted to get a divorce
from his wife, Helen Jones, in the dis
trict court of Mfnnehaha county, South
Dakota. He alleged extreme cruelty.
Mrs. Jones got wind of the scheme, ap-
peared Unexpectedly in court, and the
case was thrown out. Jones had to pay
her expenses and attorney fee, and that
was all the satisfaction he got at the
time Next the willy Mr.. Jones tried his
game at Sioux Falls, and again Mrs.
Jones. who was keeping tab on him,
appeared at the eleventh hour and
spoiled his game. With remarkable
perseverance, Mr. Jones wandered on to
Deadwood, same state and tried anoth-
er whirl at the divorce market, filing a
suit in September, 1907. He had thrown
Mrs. Jones off the trail. and she was
not present to answer. So he secured q
decree of divorce. Jones then returned
to Chicago, remained there a month,
and removed to Topeka, where he mar
ried Marie Thomas, the wealthy and
talented coIored woman" who was high
ly advertised in the local press. But in
all three of his South Dakota divorce
suits, Jones swore that he was a resi-
dent of the court district where suit
was filed, for a period of six months.
Mrs Jones states positively that her
spouse was not resident of any OF
these several jurisdictions for more
than a week. Such being the case, Jones