San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-04
HUSBAND
BACK WHILE
HE'S GOOD
Washington Society Given
Surprise as Matron
Fails to Press Suit.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Oct. a.
Just what status does a probation
airy husband" occupy?
That is what Washington society
is asking itself these days. And all
over the case of Philander Knox Jr.,
son Of the late senator from Pennsyl-
vania. and former secretary of state.
"Tippy," as he is called by his
friends, has saved his second marriage
from going on the rocks by becoming
a probationary husband. The proba-
ton was imposed by his beautiful
young wife, Josephine Poole Knox.
WED EIGHT YEARS.
He and the present Mrs. Knox were
married eight years ago, just aftcl
he had obtained divorce from his
wife, Gertrude Boler-Knox. His first
marriage was stormy one. He elopcd
with Gertrude May Boiler, a shop girl,
of Burlington, VT, just after he fin.
ished college. His father bitterly op-
posed the match hut later became
reconciled to it and took the young
couple with him on his South Amer.
lean trip.
In spite of this reconciliation with
the then secretary of state, affairs did
not go smoothly with the couple
They separated, and Philander went
to Reno, New. where he obtained a
divorce. At this time he had made
arrangements for his second marriage,
for he took Josephine Poole and her
family with him to cheer him while
he was getting his divorce. They
were married Immediately afterward.
FIRST YEARS HAPPY.
In Washington, as well as in near
by cities, the name of Knox is enough
for an open sesame into the best
society.
For four years the marriage was
happy enough. Two little boys came
to make the couple even happier.
Then, according to Mrs. Knox,
"Tippy" stopped being the fond. de-
voted husband and began to drink
heavily, was often intoxicated. and
treated her with systematic cruelty.
Not that society was aware of all
these things. 1t was only last June,
when Mrs. Knox closed her home
here, took her two children and went
to her parents in Charleston, W. Va,
that neighbors and friends knew a
rift had appeared.
Even then they did not discuss tho
matter. However, court action told
society what it wanted to know. Mrs.
Knox filed suit. not for divorce, but
for maintenance for herself and two
children. In her suit she charged
cruelty and intemperance.
MRS KNOX SILENT.
At that time Mrs. Knox refused
to comment on the separation, but
it was thought by al that it was the
first step toward a divorce. Now it
appears that it was not at all in the
nature of a permanent separation
that is, if young Knox can pass this
probationary period.
If he keeps to his good behavior
for the length of time Mrs. Knox
alone knows, he will be taken back,
forgiven and the family reunited. So
far he seems to be doing well. but
Mrs. Knox is noncommittal at her
parents home in West Virginia.
Since the Knox separation, Mrs.
Knox has made several trips TO
Washington. As far as can be found
out, she has not seen "Yippy" on
any of these occasions. She has come
merely to consult her lawyer about
expenses.
CHILD is UNWELL.
The frail health Of seven-year-old
Chase Knox has been the cause of her
increased expenses. At the present
time Knox pays his wife 1888 month
for herself and children. This is no
great strain on him. for he is reputed
to be one of Washingtons wealthiest
young men.
Mrs. Knox at all times has refused
to discuss her marital difficulties. All
that has come from her has been re-
vealed through court action. "Tippy"
however. has been ready any time 10
discuss the trouble, and to deny that
he has ever been cruel to the beau
tiful Josephine. He has blamed his
trouble on his in-laws.
STORIES DIFFER.
He has repeatedly made the state =.
ment that if he could get her back
from her mothers home everything
would be all right. Most of all he
objects to the cruelty charge.
In her bill, Mrs. Knox says the
actions of her husband were climaxed
by an occurrence on June s. 1925.
when he struck her, knocking her
down and injuring her.
She adds that after this assault
she found it necessary to leave her