New-York tribune., 1908-02-16
SIOUX FALLS DIVORCES.
Life There of Men and Womem Who
Seek Marital Freedom.

Eota seek a divorce after six months resi-
derCc there, he or she ought 10 start soon. The
citizens cf the state to vote on a change IN
the divorce law in November, and it is almost
foregone conclusion that the term of residence
required on the part OF those suing for divorce
viii he increased to q year.
Announcement of this has been heralded afar
and has caused a rush of divorce immigrants
into the state. 1t is estimated that there are
row between 700 and 800 persons in Sioux Falls
primarily in search OF release from marital
bonds. Sioux Falls is city of 1900 population.
1t has been noted for some time mecca for
diN 0rce seekers.
1t is not SO easy to South Dakota
divorce to-day it in the early days of
the state. Then all that appeared to be neces
sary was 10 hire a room and place trunk in it.
Having done this, a person could leave the
state and return six months later, when his
was ready for trial
OF the sixty lawyers in Sioux Falls some
divorce specialists, and are rarely in court in
cases OF another nature. Business is sent TO
them from New York and the larger cities in
the East. The rivalry to obtain the conduct of
divorce suits is often strenuous Some lawyers
pay bonuses for cases, and hackmen, boarding
house keepers and merchants are in touch with
lawyers whom they recommend 'the best
and surest." The costs of a divorce trial in a
Iioux Falls court are about Sl5.
The nature of the enters into the fee
charged One lawyer will ask fee of $500 to
sake q case, and another will take it for 500.
fee Cf $4,000 was paid by Massachusetts
man who obtained a divorce. The average fee
ys from 500 to $500 and 500 is the lowest
fnc-yn fee.
The South Dakota divorce colony includes all
types of humanity, many of whom seek employ
ment while establishing their residence. Law
dentists physicians teachers.
nurses, StenOgraphers and servants among
these.
A dentist who has been earning 500 week
elsewhere will become a laboratory assistant in
Sioux Fails for $40 week. lawyer of large
income in his home office will become clerk in
a law office Work keeps their minds from
dwelling their troubles. There have been
many suicides in South Dakota among divorce
seekers The men divorce residents are found in
shops. freight offices, hotel clerks, in newspa-
per Offices collectors, and even working at
manual labor. The women become manicurists.
stenosra pliers, typesetters, milliners and wait
resses
This serves TO keep wages down in Sioux
Falls. with the exception of those paid in union
z,d trades. Places that pay So week in other
cities are filled for half that amount. The en-
poycr sets his figure and there is scramble
To offset this, however, is the quarter of
million spent yearly by the divorce seekers.
Some Of them wealthy. and they make their
enforced residence vacation and entertain law
ishly. They hire cottages, purchase horses and
automobiles and keep Il force of servants. Sioux
Falls society" bars them from the clubs, but
the IaS tors invite them TO their churches.
Merchants and others who share in the sob,
ptp every year wondering what will happen
To their bank accounts if the law is changed
Most Of them feel that year residence
would kill the goose that lays the golden egg
Nebraska, they say, viii become the favort"
divorce state
Sioux Falls is of the most cosmopolitan
cities in the Northwest. for almost every state
in the Union and Canada represented by
those seen in its streets The New York woman
III a Paris gown jostles Il Sioux squaw in hlan-
ket and bucksiin. Corduroy and top boots worn
by sturdy wheat grower keep pace with u
banker in furs.
Mondays divorce trial days in Sioux Falls.
The Minnehaha County courthouse, where the
cases are heard is called THE Temple OF Free
dom An unconested suit is generally disposed
O. in fifteen minutes A witness accompanies