The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-01-28
ONTARIO GIRL AND BAKER
MAN GET MUCH NOTORIETY
Baker People Are Much Worked I'm
Over Affair in Caldwell.

The Ontario Argus has the follow.
ing story. to tell of an abandoned wife
and children:
Item-Married at Caldwell Janu.
airy I, Miss Georgia Lawrence, daugh.
ter. OF Mrs. Martha Huffman of On
tario, to Arthur Burford, a business
man of Baker.
Since the above event took place
1t has developed that the marriage
OF the couple tells only a part of the
story, and the Baker Democrat of
January IS says:
THE sequel is here in Baker-tbe
story of faithful wife of IS wears
and four children from the ages of
to IS years, deserted by formerly
kind husband and father for an 18-
year-old girl, married in Idaho be-
cause under the Oregon laws Burford
could not legally wed in Oregon. his
divorce being granted only a few
days before his second marriage.
Burford in his complaint for d.
vorce alleged that his wife accused
him OF improper relations with other
women and nagged him constantly.
making his life burden. To these
trumped up charges the little, slight
woman who bore his name, and who
was the mother of his children, be-
heved it would be useless to reply
and default judgment in favor Of
the husband was entered and a de-
cree granted, under the terms of
which en-, Burford gave them the home
on washington street and $50 a
month alimony. The home was DUR
chased from w. G. Miller on Wash
ington street for $1,000. Five hundred
dollars was paid down and $4,000
since, leaving the property encum-
Dered IN the sum of $3.50.
Mrs. Burford is daughter of w.
n. Leasy, prominent Heating ranch
er, and when they were married Is
years ago her husband was engaged
IN ranching there also. A few years
since ne embarked in the auto stage
business, successfully operating a |
line between Baker and the Panhan-
Ole. 1t was alleged intimacy with
women passengers resulted in
the false charges of his wife. accord
ing to the complaint.
A year or so ago, Miss Lawrence
came to Boise and accepted a posi- |
ton as bookkeeper with a local bust
ness house. and Burford became ac-
quainted with her. He paid her
marked attention that brought a rep
rimand from her employer and the in
timacy apparently ceased, but shortly |
Gefore Burford got his divorce Miss
LAWRENCE left Baker, presumably go
ing to Ontario. where Burford fol- |
granted.
!he situation now is that Burford's
wife and children are left destitute.
the mouse being encountered so deep
~ that the little woman cannot ever
expect to pay for it, while the $50 a
month alimony due from a husband
IN Honduras or outside the jurisdic-
ton OF the local courts means moth
ing: 1t is story of desertion pure
and SIMPLE, OF fascination for young
girl 10 years old by man more than
double her age, who in his fascination
mas seen mt to repudiate his help
mate. VINO by her own efforts aided
greatly in making his business a sue
cess and who actually by manual la
Dor in keeping a garden. helped in
the family income and in providing a
livelihood for herself and little ones.
And the surprising part of the
story is the fact that Burford was
man generally respected, a man who
met his obligations and the last per
son. almost. of whom such an act
would be expected.
While no legal steps have been
taken, when the facts are presented
in proper form to the court, Judge
Anderson announced yesterday that
he would set aside the decree, which
to say the least will put the second
Mrs. Burford in an unenviable posi-
tion-a position which she is prob
ably not altogether irresponsible for
occupying. 1t is not believed here
that the couple have actually zone to
Honduras and Mr.. Leasy. father of
Mrs. Burford. and others have inter-
ested themselves in the case and will
make an effort to locate them"
The Baker Herald of Jan. 10.
throws more light on the episode, as
follows:
That A. R. Burford swore that he
had not been divorced within six
months time, previous to obtaining
his license to marry Miss Georgia
Lawrence of Ontario. in the county