The Washington herald., 1915-03-21

l.. Oddie, the governor. who favored the
new law above every other thing, failed
of reelection. Politicians agree that he
was defeated because of his answering
stand against easy divorce and open
gambling.
Gambling? Surely! An antigambling
law was passed soon after the Jeffries
johnson prize fight, which closed all the
gaudy clubs along Commercial row and
the more extensively furnished clubs
around the corner. Things moved rapid
ly in those days of gambling, too, and it
was barren day when victim of in jul
dicious faro, roulette or poker wasn't
dragged. limp and wet, from the Truckee
river, where he had ended despair with
suicide.
Gambling was wide open in those days
and stakes were high. Wealthy divorce
seekers, not few among them women,
sat around gaming tables beside rough
miners and sheep raisers. all with the
same burning lust for gain of gold. To-
day there is no gambling in Nevada
openly, but there is plenty Of opportunity
for the man who feels he must risk a
gold piece or two at poker. The saloons
and legitimate clubs see to that.
Even under the year residence law d.
vorce seekers did not find things as
tedious as they expected. Under that law
there was nothing to prevent one from
renting apartments and then ing back
home or to San Francisco, just hop
away provided one had the means for
that mode of living. Spending two or
three months in the city suficed.
Reno's first six months divorce law
was adopted In the early COS. but the
quick separation industry didn't come
into International renown until thirteen
years ago, when an English earl was
granted a divorce by Judge Ben F. Curl
er. There was no general divorce busi-
ness apparent, however. until several
years later, when Mrs. Lillian Corey, wife
OF William Ellis Corey, the steel mag
nate, dropped into Reno Unexpectedly
and unannounced, accompanied by her
son, daughter, maid. poodle dog and auto
mobile.
Mrs. Corey's presence was mystery
until she announced she intended suing
for divorce after six months residence.
Her decree was granted by Judge Curler
in the spring Of 1905.
Next on the list was DR.. Pedar Bru-
guiere. Of San Francisco. Through the
efforts of William H. Schnitzer, formerly
an associate Of Abe Hummel, of New
York. the ease with which divorces might
be obtained in Nevada was heralded to
the world. Schnitzer got out pamphlet
reproducing the Nevada law and calling
particular attention to the six months
law.
He followed this up with advertise
ments In eastern publications of general
circulation. Nevada in general and
Reno in particular became the Mecca Of
divorce seekers, and soCn the fame and
shame of Reno were srread broadcast.
When Reno first became famous as
headquarters Of easy divorce wealthy
folk focked by hundreds, rented bunga-
lows or hotel suites. spent a few weeks
and many dollars letting everybody know
they were in town and then hurried of
to more entertaining things elsewhere,
II got so that there was scarcely a hand
full Of divorces in the city. Things were
too dull. There was nobody to spend
money and there was nobody for the ma
tives to admire. Something had to be
done.
1t was done in the form Of the passage
Of what came to be known as the time
lcck" law. which provided that a divorce
seeker who left Reno in the six months
residence period would be compelled to
make up the length Of absence before a
decree was granted. That had the de-
sired effect, for II there's anything a d.
vorce applicant wants quickly it's de-
cree.
Those who had fitted about the eoun-
try settled down to live in Reno, which
soon became a place of rapid-fre living
and entertainment. Things blossomed
and bloomsd. Merchants. lawyers. doc