The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-23
NORTH SIDE NEWS
Mrs. Isabel Lakens Sues for
Divorce.
Religious Difference Said to Be
Cause.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
Caused Some Friction in Family
Affairs.
Husband and Wife Have Been
Living Apart.

Mrs. Isabel Lukens. former North
side woman. has filed suit for divorce
in the Kansas City courts against her
husband, Jonas Lukens. of 1908 Central
avenue, a hardware man in business at
81 North Kansas avenue.
| The Plaintiff and defendant have been
married 80 years. 1t is understood they
have been separated for some time.
When seen this morning MI. Lukens
said that he had not learned of the
action having been taken. Further than
this he refused to discuss the matter.
However difference in religious opin-
ions is sain to be the cause for the
divorce suit. Mrs Lukens joined the
Christian Science church some time
ago. This winter she went to Kansas
City presumably to get dental work
done. She has not returned since.
Mr.. Lukens is the moderator of the
North Side Baptist church and has been
an active member of the congregation
since his residence in Topeka He came
mere from Rowan. Ind, in 1868. He
worked for his uncle who was in the
raft at 615 North Kansas avenue. Later
he went into the hardware business
at S11 North Kansas avenue:
He was married about thirty years
ago. His wife was Miss Isabel Aikens
She lived with her parents near Hoyt.
Since then the Aikens have moved to
Kansas City, where John Aikens, the
brother of Mrs. LukenS, is In the cattle
commission business. The AikenS fam
lily are said to own several ranches in
Kansas and are reputed to be very
wealthy.
Both the Aikenses and Lukenses are
highly respected on the North side and
in the city at large. No one knows of
any domestic trouble. However, some
time ago, Mrs. Lukens became a
Christian Scientist Later her daugh-
ter, Miss Eleanor Lukens, also become
a believer in the same faith. This
seems to have brought on some fric-
ton but it is understood that the
separation was amiabiy arranged.
There are three children in the fam
lily, Miss Eleanor Lukens, of the North
and Harry Lukens of Tecumseh.
Miss Eleanor Lukens has been keep
ing house for her father since her
mother left. She has also been in the
Staples & Lukens millinery store at 1888
South Kansas avenue. Half of this
store was owned by Mrs. Lukens. It
is understood that she decided her in
terest in the establishment to her
in Kansas City at present.
G. E. Clark and s. B. Beckely of
Altoona, Pa, passed through Topeka
bicycles this morning on their
way to Seattle, Wash, where they
will attend the exposition. Mr.. Beck
ley and Mr. Clark say they have made
the entire trip so far on their wheels
and intend to complete the journey
in fhe same way According to their
statement they left Altoona, June Is.
Three weeks later they arrived at Og-
den, mo. There they worked on a
farm about two weeks to earn money
enough to continue their journey.
F. Mr.. Clark says he is an electrician
by trade and Mr.. Beckley is a rail-
way clerk. They are both about 25
years old. While on their journey
the young men have been doing odd
Jobs, and tinkering work when their !
money runs out and sleeping at
farm houses.
1--WE have very few accidents of |
any kind said Mr.. Clark. "Of |