The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-14
ack Into the Easy Divorce Game

international renown until thirteen
years ago, when an English Earl was
granted n decree by Judge Bon r.
Curler. There was no general divorce
business apparent, However. until sew
eral years later when Mrs LillRn
Corey, wife OF William Ellis Corey,
the steel magnate, dropped into Reno
unexpectedly and unannounced. ac-
cOmpanled by her son, daughter, maid,
poodle dog and automobile.
Mrs. COrey's presence was n mys-
terry 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
Bruguiere OF san Francisco There
was a long lapse between the grant
ing Of his decree and the arrival Of
the vanguard OF what later became
known M tho divorce colony. Through
the efforts OF William II. Schnitzer. a
former associate OF Abe IIummel, the
ease with which divorces might be oh
tanned IN Neyuda was heralded 10 the
world. Schnitzcr got out a pamphlet
reproducing the Nevada law and CALI
Ing particular attention 10 tho six
months law
He followed this up with ADVERTISE
ments in Eastern publications OF gen.
eral circulation. The results exceeded
his expectations. Nevada in general
and Reno in particular became the
Mecca Of divorce seekers, and soon
the fame and shame of Reno were
spread broadcast
Among the temporary residents
were Mrs. Margaret Emerson McKim.
daughter OF Isaac S. Emerson and
present wife OF Alfred c.. Vanderbilt:
James Gayley, the steel magnate. who
built handsome home in Reno, but
whose wife was granted a decree on
her cross complaint; Virginia Harmed,
wife OF II. II. Sothern. and Margaret
Ellington, wife Of Daniel Frohman.
Edna Goodrich got n Reno divorce.
Nat Goodwin also got one OF his de-
crees there, Mrs. Florence Jenkins,
called "the most beautiful woman in
Baltimore" was another on the list.
Mrs. Henry HUT, wifo OF tho artist.
was comparatively recent beneficiary
OF the Nevada system. HUT once eaid
his wife was ''more beautiful than tho
Venus Dc Milo"
r. NJ. Buddington, known as "ths
father OF tho divorce colony" was
very rich, bur he got a JOB at selling
tickets in n moving picture theatre in
order to testify that he was in Reno in
good faith--a little formality the
courts insisted on whom the industry
was young. He had regular employ
ment all right but he didn't hang
onto his Job long after Judge Pike
looked favorably on his petition.
Mrs. McKim was in Reno at the
time OF tho johnson fight.
The excitement attendant upon that
occasion Gripped her as II did thou
sands OF others. Great crowds assem-
bled at tho arena and the bulletin
boards in front Of Reno newspaper
Offices held others.
Mrs. McISim, following the crowyn.
made her way into the editorial rooms
OF the morning newspaper. She askss
10 be pun at work that she might feet
herself OF some benefit TO some one in
that day OF excitement ana was as
signed 10 the task OF acting as copy
boy II became her duty to saaA-A
the story of tho fight round by round
from the telegraph instrument and
rush IL to the linotype machines.
II was n task that required spees>
for, no matter what station In Ira
one occupies, all are on an equality
In a newspaper Office when a race
against time Is being made to beat
a rival In getting out an extra. When
tho result OF the fight was flashed
over tho wires Mrs. McKim shouted
Il 10 the anotype operator as sh.
sped through the composing room
In another minute the presses yY~--
grinding out tho extras. Mrs NJ
Kim eagerly grabbed a copy and then
COLLAPSED from sheer excitement.