The Washington times., 1910-10-04
Massachusetts Woman, Wed
ded Three Times, Center
of Strange Case.
DIVORCE ACTION
STARTS AN INQUIRY
Latest Husband Killed, the Second
Wants Legal Sepa-
ration.
BOSTON. oct. 4-whose wife is Mar

BOSTON. oct. A-WhOSe wife is Mar
Ion Hill Edmunds Walden Harmon?
That IS the question that Judge Fox,
sitting in the divorce court in Salem.
will answer when he hands down a
decision in the divorce case Of Edwin
Walden, Of Lynn. against Marion Wal
den Harmon, of Somerville.
This case is one of the strangest in
the history Of Massachusetts divorce,
and the marital enJanglements of the
hbeiee have been very difficult to I'M
ravel. And iris now sensational divorce
case has a direct bearing on another
court proceeding in OIiddlesex county.
where IN the probate court is pending
the settlement of the estate OF Colby
ID. Harmon, who was killed while a
fireman on a boston and Maine engine.
This Is the story OF the marriages and
divorce troubles of Marion Josephine
Hill EdmUnds Walden Harmon, as
brought out IN the testimony in the
divorce suit in Salem.
Jesse G. EdmundS. of Wakefield. and
Marion Josephine Hill, then OF Lynn.
We're married June >, 1897, in Wake
Held But after less than four years
decree niSi in divorce court was en-
tered in behalf Of the husband the
decree becoming absolute under the
massachusetts, laws six months later,
October 1, 1901.
Under the statutes Of this State the
person against whom the divorce is
granted may not marry again until two
years have passed from the time the
decree becomes effective.
Second Marriage.
But on February 8, 1903, with Ed
win Walden, son Of former mayor of
Lynn, and a One-time president of the
Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn rail-
frs
dence, where a wedding ceremony was
performed.
According TO the testimony in the
present divorce case Walden admitted
that in registering Tor a marriage
license in Providence he did all the
talking
He told the clerk. he said, that he
had never been married before nor had
The woman ne intended TO marry II
was also borne out IN the testimony
lhat he hat been married and divorced
before this marriage with the then Mrs.
Edmunds. and il was also Shown that
Mrs Edmunds had been divorced
After the marriage in Providence Mr..
and Mrs Walden returned TO Lynn to
reside. going TO GSi Western avenue,
where they remained for three weeks.
Then. according to testimony. they sep
aTaJed. although Walden on the stand
at first stated that they resided to-
Sethcr Until December l. 1876.
on this point the present case seems
10 hinge.
An effort was made to show that both
persons contracting TO wed knew when
they went to Providence that they did
not have the right to be married and
that they WillIully cvdded the law.
Both Well known.
In answer to the testimony by wal
den that ne was living with his wife
after tie time limit expired, Attorney
Patron, In crOss-eXaminatiOn, made
Walden admit that on May l. 1903. ne
was residing at the Walden homestead,
from which he was assessed, and that
he was not living with ms wife at the
Western avenue house.
When Mrs Harmon was put on the
stand attorneys for Walden enCeaVored
TO have introduced evidence concerning
the alleged marriage with Harmon 20
try TO prove that this ceremony was
illegal But as the case IL trial Is one
OF divorce and as marriage must be
established in order TO settle the case
this testimony was excluded.
Attorney Patron is contending that
the marriage to Walden Is illegal and
that his client is the lawful widow OF
Colby -. Harmon, the Boston and Maine
fireman who was killed last January
Walden Is one of the best known men
IL Lynn, and the family has been
leading one in society and business IN
that city for years. lie is tifty-tOuH- years
old. His brother. Charles il. Walden, is
of Walden d HOag, leading shoe manu-
facturers, but Edwin Walden is not as
SOCiaJed with this concern
Years ago, when Edwin Walden, ST.,
was living and was one of the best
known men in that section. the younger
Edwin was somewhat Of a baseball
player. At one time he was signed 20
play left field for the Boston y; tionals,
but before ne had an opportunity to
show his speed his father Se-IJ a deputy
Sheriff 10 the South End grOunCs and
took the young man back to the walden
mansion in Lynn.
Mrs Harmon is a daughter of T. 3.
IIil, of IS Rockwell street, Maiden. Hill
has been in the employ Of the Boston
and Maine railroad for twenty years.
Mrs. Harmon was formerly one of the
leading workers in the W. Q. T. L. in
Lynn, al one time. IL is said. having
been recording secretary Of the organ
ization in the city and several times
delegated 10 important white ribbon"
conventions.