The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-06-24
TURNS DOWN g
PROPOSALS

New York, June 24.-Six years CT
alternate Joy and sorrow centering
around a romantic marriage, and in
volving the inheritance of $4,000
estate, has modelled a striking figure
of progressive womanhood in the per-
son of Gertrude McCourt-Rankin of
Mcpherson, Kas., says Topeka
Kas., special.
Though even now scarcely out of
her teens, she has emerged unscathed
from the divorce court and has al
ready registered up thirty-two pro-
posals of marriage. This might be &C
counted for by any one of three at
fractions. She is pretty, decidedly so
at %. Some may be interested in her
because she owns and personally at
tends to $4,000 estate. Above all,
she is a woman who accomplishes
things.
She is the daughter of the late G.
L. McCourt, former Kansas legisla-
tor, and came into his entire pos
sessions two months before she elop-
ed with a Chicago business man, A.
L. Rankin, whom she welded.
At this remarkably early period of
her life the young woman is sole
proprietor and manager of the Union
hotel at Mcpherson, a 66-room estab-
lishment, and the leading hostelry in
her home town. And she manages it,
too, doing the hiring and firing of
every mental from the cook to cham
bermaid. In addition to this task.
} which would tax a stronger business
man, she personally looks after five
or six farms, valued at from $4,000 to
$4,000 each. And there isn't a
horse, cow or pup on the estate that
does not know her affectionate pat.
You actually look after the man
agement of the entire estate?" queri-
ed q visitor, bewildered in a mental
attempt to associate a slender, girlish
woman with such vast responsible
ity. Don't you have an agent or
trustee to act for you and offer ad-
vice."
NO" she replied, I'm boss of the
whole ranch"
, Seems as though you would set
: your cap for some good business man
: and let him do some of the work, !"
was the suggestion of the visitor.
= cor maybe you're not / nthe mar
: ket?"
"Of course, every single woman is
: in the market, if you must put it that
. way" she ventured guardedly. and
i added. I've had thirty-two proposals
since I was granted divorce"
1t was only six years ago that Mary
Gertrude McCourt, then Is, the only
heir to the big estate of G. L. Nc
) Court, former legislator from the
Ninth Kansas district, eloped with A.
L. Rankin, a Incorporating young
chap of means, position and family,
of Chicago. This episode following
so closely upon the death of her ia
Their, at time when it was thought
that she had no conception of the
great responsibility she had reaped.
caused one of the biggest stirs that
ever set the tongues of Mcpherson
to wagging.
In time the romantic episode dis
solved into the past, and the little
community sank back into it's ac-
customed drowsiness While the town
was waiting listlessly it unfortunate
" fell to Gertrude to furnish more
excitement, for it had become noised
around that she was not happy. Sus-
picion was confirmed when she ap-
piled for a divorce. the custody of her
baby and the restoration of her maid
en- name.
Recently the court granted her a
decree, and she bravely set about to
fight the battles of life alone. Work
now seemed pleasure, and she went
about the details of managing the big
estate with a vim and cheer that has
proved the admiration of the entire
community.