100 Year Old Weblog: Divorce

Showing posts with label Divorce. Show all posts

May 23, 2025 ~ THIS WIFE TOO LOVING.

May 23, 2025

THIS WIFE TOO LOVING.

Seeking Divorce, Husband Also Says She's Deaf, Dumb, Partly Blind.

"She's too affectionate," is the principal charge made by Claude D. Ellmaker, 18 years old, in a divorce petition yesterday in the district court against Mable F. Ellmaker, 19 years old.

Ellmaker sets forth in the petition his wife is deaf and dumb and blind in the left eye. He also claims she has hugged and kissed him on the street, on street cars and other public places. Ellmaker also claims she is extremely jealous, and her parents guard him so closely he has no liberties.

They were married here on September 7, 1914, and have resided in Rosedale since.

April 7, 2025 ~ COURT TELLS HOW TO AVERT DIVORCE.

April 7, 2025

COURT TELLS HOW TO AVERT DIVORCE.

Judge Bird Advises Wife to Concentrate Mind on Her Home.

WORDS FOR HUSBAND, TOO.

"Keep Thought on Job" Is Advice; Several Cases Heard.

"Broken homes, many of them, might be averted if the wife would concentrate her mind on her home and the husband keep his thoughts and ambitions on his job."

That was teh golden text for yesterday in Judge Daniel E. Bird's division of the circuit court. The judge preached a little sermon to Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Stamey, 2242 Poplar avenue, who were in court contesting a divorce suit and a cross petition. At the close of the sermon the judge admonished the couple to forget the last eight years and begin life over again, concentrating their efforts upon the welfare of their child. The divorce was denied.

COURT RULES ON FLIRTING

A woman standing at the window and waving her handkerchief at men may be indiscreet, or poor taste, or it may just be one form of the "Chautauqua Salute," but it is not flirting, much as it seemed to Thomas J. Barker, 2619 Belleview avenue, who charged that his wife thus acted. He asked a divorce yesterday partly on these grounds. But Judge Daniel E. Bird had another idea of flirting, real flirting, and he so stated. He granted the divorce from Mrs. Maggie Barker on other grounds.

DAVIS DECREE HELD UP

Judge Harris Robinson heard and took under advisement the divorce case of Mrs. Bernice Davis, 2534 Wabash avenue, against harry Davis, now in the state penitentiary serving sentence for the slaying of Al Hatch. Hatch was a saloonkeeper and was shot at Linwood boulevard and Brooklyn avenue on the night of October 18, 1912. The shooting was the result of a planned robbery. The wife met and married Davis while he was a fugitive from Kansas City. She was formerly Miss Bernice Nessly, daughter of a Wichita merchant.

A piano in the household may be a permissible evil if it came in with the permission of both husband and wife. But Horace E. Vandover, 62 years old, charged in his divorce petition, which was heard by Judge Burney, that his wife brought a piano into the home without his permission. He was granted the divorce on that and other testimony.

GETS WHAT HE ASKED FOR WIFE'S AFFECTIONS. ~ Jury in Five Minutes Gives A. L. Sherman $50,000 Verdict Against J. C. Silverstone.

January 22, 2026

GETS WHAT HE ASKED

FOR WIFE'S AFFECTIONS.

Jury in Five Minutes Gives A. L.

Sherman $50,000 Verdict

Against J. C. Silverstone.

After less than five minutes' deliberation yesterday morning a jury in Judge Thomas J. Seehorn's division of the circuit court gave A. L. Sherman, a Kansas City lawyer, a verdict of $50,000 as a balm for a wound his feelings sustained when his wife lost her love for him in favor of another man three years ago. The suit, for $25,000 exemplary and $25,000 actual damages, was instituted by Attorneys L. C. Boyle and C. M. Howell.

The defendant was J. C. Silverstone, who for several years owned a drug store at Ninth and Wyandotte streets, but is now in Seattle, Was. Silverstone was not present at the opening of the case yesterday, but his lawyers were, and there was some interesting testimony. Mrs. Sherman obtained a divorce a year ago and is not in the city.

According to the testimony of Sherman he and Mrs. Sherman were married in September, 1898. Their life was happy until about January, 1907, when, he testified, Silverstone rose over the domestic horizon and began to shed compliments and other attentions on Mrs. Sherman.

One time Sherman said he asked his wife how it was she could buy millinery and fine dresses without approaching him for a loan. He had noticed for several months past that she was making purchases with out either consulting him or having the bills charged. She told conflicting stories of how she could perform the miracle, Sherman testified. He was not convinced and went to Silverstone's store to see him about it.

Sherman said he seized Silverstone by the throat and forced him back on a barrel in the rear of the drug store. Under threats of killing him, he said he obtained a partial confession and made the druggist beg for his life.

"After that my wife and I had frequent quarrels, and finally she left me, taking our child. The last I heard of her she was in Seattle."

IN WAY, MAJOR'S WIFE GETS DECREE. ~ Told She Hindered His Army Progress, Returns From Islands for Divorce.

January 18, 2026

IN WAY, MAJOR'S

WIFE GETS DECREE.

Told She Hindered His Army

Progress, Returns From

Islands for Divorce.

When Mrs. Ruby B. Rutherford returned to the Philippines after a visit with her mother at Columbia, Mo., her husband, who is a major in the army, met her at the boat and frankly told her he was sorry she came back to hinder his progress as an ambitions officer. Mrs. Rutherford lost no time in returning to "the States." Yesterday a divorce was granted her by Judge Seehorn in the circuit court.

Mrs. Rutherford lives at the Brunswick hotel, at Eleventh street and Broadway. She introduced as character witness her brother, C. P. Bowling, cashier of the Exchange bank of Columbia, and Judge James E. Goodrich of the circuit court. Her daughter, Dorothy, aged 9 years, was not in court.

CALLS HIM INSOLENT.

The Rutherfords had domestic trouble before they went to the islands, and Mrs. Shepherd, wife of a captain, who often visited them at the Presidio, San Francisco, was a witness. Major Rutherford, she said, was insolent.

Mrs. Rutherford said most of her trouble had been at the Presidio, although she said the major stayed out nights after they went to the Philippines and was sorry when she returned to him after visiting at home.

A highball incident when Mrs. Rutherford gave a party at the Presidio was told in court. She said they ran out of whisky. She thought they had had enough, any way.

ANOTHER BOTTLE GOTTEN.

Another officer insisted, Mrs. Rutherford said, in going out for one more bottle. When he returned Mrs. Rutherford had her highball made "light," and Major Rutherford was angry because it wasn't the same strength as the drinks served the guests.

"When I insisted on a light drink," said Mrs. Rutherford, "my husband became angry because I did not drink as fast as he thought I should and he came and pured whisky into my glass until it ran all over me."

Mrs. Rutherford testified that while she liked to have a clean, neat house her husband, in his insolent manner, always made fun of her tidiness.

PUT FEET ON TABLE.

One of his delights, she said, was to finish his meal before his wife and then "rear" back in his chair and put his feet on the table.

When Major Rutherford, the wife testified, told her she was a "drawback," that she hindered his progress in the army and that he was downright sorry to see her back again, she left him, determined to sue for divorce.

Major Rutherford is connected with the medical corps and has an income of $4,000 yearly. They were married at Columbia, Mo., January 10, 1900, and Mrs. Rutherford left him February 14, 1909.

WEE BABE PROVES MAGNET. ~ Tot Reunites Parents, Who Thought They Couldn't Agree.

January 13, 2026

WEE BABE PROVES MAGNET.

Tot Reunites Parents, Who Thought

They Couldn't Agree.

"It was 'Jimmy' who reunited us," said Mrs. Mary A. Judkins, of 2131 Madison street, who with her divorced husband went to the recorder's office yesterday to procure a marriage license.

It was about a year ago that the couple, newly married, decided they could not live together happily. Shortly before this a boy had been born to Mrs. Judkins. She named him "Jimmy." When the divorce was granted, Mrs. Judkins was given the custody of the babe. The father, however, was permitted to visit his child once a week. These weekly visits resulted in a reconciliation between Mr. and Mrs. Judkins and yesterday they decided to be remarried.

"We're going to try it over again," said Mrs. Judkins, and the husband smiled his approval.

No happier couple, if appearance counted, was ever granted a license to marry by the county recorder, declare the deputies in the marriage license department. Mr. and Mrs. Judkins hurried out of the court house to find a minister.

BLAMES HOUSEKEEPERS. ~ Mrs. Lucy E. Bowman Says Husband Talked of Them.

December 5, 2025

BLAMES HOUSEKEEPERS.

Mrs. Lucy E. Bowman Says Hus-

band Talked of Them.

Nine housekeepers employed by her husband at various times before their marriage are alleged to be in part responsible for a suit for divorce which Mrs. Lucy E. Bowman filed yesterday against Frank Bowman. Mrs. Bowman alleges among other things that Bowoman kept continually referring to his ex-housekeepers in a manner not conducive to family peace. The Bowmans were married August 4, last.

WENT WITHOUT HIS MEALS. ~ That's a Traffic Policeman's Allegation in Suit for Divorce.

December 22, 2025

WENT WITHOUT HIS MEALS.

That's a Traffic Policeman's Allega-

tion in Suit for Divorce.

William F. Heckenberg, a traffic policeman, has filed suit for divorce against Grace E. Heckenberg, alleging violent fits of temper and occasional absence from home when the officer went without meals.

The Heckenbergs have been married twenty years and have three children, a boy of 19, a girl of 8 and a boy of 5 years. The officer asks for the custody of the younger ones. He alleges that the older boy is kept at home assisting with the housework while his wife insists on working down town, against his will, thereby keeping her away from home much of the time. The case is set for the January term of the court.

MUST TAKE PIANO AND GO. ~ Wife Suing for Divorce Has No Place for Husband's Brother.

December 15, 2025

MUST TAKE PIANO AND GO.

Wife Suing for Divorce Has No Place

for Husband's Brother.

Mrs. Pauline Bovee is to have temporary custody of her two little girls. Judge J. G. Park of the circuit court yesterday awarded the mother the temporary custody of Lorena Bovee, aged 10 years, and Med Bovee, aged 8. The children are not to be taken from the county.

Albert W. Fischer, a brother-in-law, is restrained from going to the woman's home, 2513 Woodland avenue. The court ordered that he remove his clothing and piano immediately.

Mrs. Bovee is allowed $45 a month as temporary alimony and $200 attorney fee. Permanent custody of the children will be decided when the divorce suit brought by Mrs. Bovee against Wayland Bovee is finally settled.

TWO KILLED AND ONE WOUNDED IN RUNNING BATTLE. ~ Charles Lukens, Wyandotte County Deputy Sheriff, Shot Through Heart by Charles Galloway.

December 9, 2025

TWO KILLED AND

ONE WOUNDED IN

RUNNING BATTLE.

Charles Lukens, Wyandotte County

Deputy Sheriff, Shot Through

Heart by Charles Galloway, Drink

Crazed Rosedale Electrician, He

Tried to Serve With Injunction.

SLAYER HAD THREATENED

WIFE WHO SOUGHT DIVORCE.

After Killing Lukens, Galloway

Carried on a Retreating Fight

With Other Officers Until

Brought to Bay at 3129

Bell Street.

SHOT BY DETECTIVES, DIES

IN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.

Double Tragedy Direct Result of

Domestic Difficulties of the Gal-

loways -- Wife, Who Sued for Di-

vorce, Feared for Her Life, Which

Husband Had Threatened -- Re-

straining Order Was to Keep Him

From Further Terrorizing Her.

CHARLES T. GALLOWAY.

Two men are dead and another wounded as the result of an attempt by Charles Quincy Lukens, a deputy sheriff of Wyandotte county, Kas., to serve a restraining order upon Charles T. Galloway, a drink crazed electrician of 428 College avenue, Rosedale, Kas., late yesterday evening.

Lukens was shot above the heart and instantly killed during a running fight with Galloway.

Galloway was later brought to bay in a house at 3129 Bell street, and after a desperate resistance was mortally wounded, dying at 11:30 o'clock last night as he was being placed upon the operating table at Emergency hospital.

JUST BACK FROM OKLAHOMA.

Deputy Sheriff Lukens left the Wyandotte county court house yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock with an order from the district court restraining Galloway from annoying or in any way interfering with his wife, Mrs. Anna Galloway. The Galloways had been having trouble for several months, and November 23 Mrs. Galloway, through her attorney, Rush L. Fizette, 1255 Kansas City avenue, Rosedale, filed a suit for divorce, alleging cruelty, drunkenness and ill-treatment.

Since the filing of the divorce petition Galloway had beaten his wife and threatened her life. She then applied for an order restraining him from bothering her. The order was granted several weeks ago, but Galloway had been in Oklahoma during that time. Yesterday word was received at the sheriff's office that he was in town, and Lukens was sent to serve papers on him.

QUARTER-MILE RUNNING FIGHT.

Mrs. Galloway has been staying for the past few days at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. L. Connor, at 1700 Dodd street, Rosedale. The deputy sheriff and Marshal Drew thought perhaps they might find Galloway hanging around there, as he had visited the Connor home earlier in the day and made demands to see his wife and children.

The officers reached Kansas City avenue and Washington street about 5:30 o'clock, and met Galloway shortly after they stepped off the car. Marshal Drew spoke to Galloway and shook hand with him. Lukens then shook hands with Galloway, and told him that he had some papers to serve.

Almost instantly Galloway drew a revolver and opened fire on the officers, who, unprepared for such an emergency, had to unbutton their overcoats before they could get at their weapons. They at last got hold of their revolvers and opened fire on Galloway. A running fight was kept up for more than a quarter of a mile.

The fleeing man turned into alleys, turning back every few steps to fire upon the pursuing officers. He finally reached Rosedale avenue, and turning south ran toward the tracks of the Frisco railroad. When the officers reached the tracks he turned and fired at Lukens, hitting him directly over the heart.

LUKENS FALLS DEAD.

Lukens staggered, and after grasping a telegraph pole with both hands fell to the ground dead. Galloway then ran south, and after a vain attempt to make his escape on a horse, abandoned the horse, and fled to the woods on the hills around Gray's park.

Officer Drew ran to Lukens's assistance, but finding him dead, started to pursue Galloway. He fired the last shell from his gun, and then finding himself without ammunition sent a boy after some. A large crowd of persons had been attracted by the firing, and a number of them assisted in taking the body of Lukens to a barber shop at Kansas City and Rosedale avenues. The coroner was notified, and he ordered the body taken to the Gates undertaking rooms in Rosedale, where he performed a post mortem. It was found that the bullet had pierced the heart and lungs, and had gone entirely through the body, coming out near the middle of the back.

GALLOWAY BROUGHT TO BAY.

The sheriff's office was notified in Kansas City, Kas., and Under Sheriff Joseph Brady, deputies William McMullen, Clyde Sartin and George Westfall jumped into an automobile, driven by George E. Porter, an undertaker at 1007 North Seventh street and rode at break neck speed to Rosedale. The Kansas City, Kas., police were also notified and Chief W. W. Cook led a large force of uniformed men and detectives to the scene of the murder. The citizens of Rosedale also turned out in large numbers and the hills around Rosedale glittered with the lights as these posses scoured the woods in an effort to find the murderer.

At 9 o'clock last night Galloway was cornered in the home of M. E. Patterson, 3129 Bell street, Kansas City, Mo., which he took possession of forcibly.

Barricading himself in a closet upstairs he held his pursuers at bay for over two hours. A posse consisting of nearly 100 men guarded the house on all sides. the air was tense with tragedy, and the bitter cold of the winter night added to the unpleasantness of the whole affair. Every man knew that a desperate fight was inevitable and that Galloway would have to be taken either dead or helplessly wounded.

MISSOURIAN LEADS CHARGE.

A delay was occasioned by the fact that the Kansas officers were outside of their jurisdiction, and did not feel that they had a right to enter the house, which is built on Missouri soil. Missouri officers were summoned and arrived at about 10 o'clock. The plans were laid and great precaution was taken in every step taken, for the officers realized that they were at a great disadvantage in forcing their way into the house, which they knew held a man who had already killed one officer and who would not hesitate to kill others should they press him too hard.

Finally the attack was planned and at 11:30 o'clock a squad of detectives consisting of Joe Downs, Billy McMullin, Harry Anderson and J. W. Wilkens, the latter a Missouri officer, leading, forced their way into the house, and after cautiously searching all the downstairs rooms without finding Galloway, rushed up the narrow stairs to the second floor.

When the officers reached the second floor a volley of shots rang out. Another volley followed. Breaking glass and a great commotion could be heard in the street below.

LAST WORD FOR HIS WIFE.

Then a husky voice was heard to shout:

"We got him."

In entering a dining room the officers were reminded of the presence of Galloway by three shots fired in rapid succession. The officers responded with a dozen shots and bullets went whizzing in every direction, embedding themselves in the walls. One bullet passed through the sleeve of Detective Wilkens's overcoat and lodged in the thumb on the left hand of Harry Anderson, a Kansas City, Kas., detective.

Within a twinkling a bullet entered the abdomen of Galloway and he fell to the floor, rolling into a dark kitchen adjoining the dining room. Writhing in his great pain, the man rolled frantically about the floor.

"Oh my dear wife, my own wife, my darling wife," he moaned time and again. Then he pleaded for ice water, clutching his parched throat madly.

An ambulance was called and Galloway was taken to emergency hospital, where he died just as they were lifting him to the operating table.

ANOTHER WOMAN'S LETTER.

Drs. Harry T. Morton and C. A. Pond, who were in attendance, pronounced death due to a wound from several buckshot that had entered the left side of the abdomen and after penetrating the intestines came out of the right side.

His pockets were searched while on the operating table. The contents consisted of a pocket-book containing $55 in cash, a gold watch and chain, a pack of business cards, several boxes of revolver cartridges, a bank book on the Fort Worth, Tex., State bank, and a letter.

The letter, which was written in lead pencil, was so blood soaked that it was barely legible. As far as it could be deciphered it ran as follows:

"Dear Friend -- I hear that you are getting a divorce from Mrs. G. ----- she is selling all your things and ---- I don't see where Mrs. G. or the boys is at. They act disgraceful, never coming home. --- Good luck, your loving Nan."

Lukens, whom Galloway shot down, was one of his best friends and so was Marshal Billy Drew, whom he fired at time and again in an effort to kill.

ASKS FOR FOOD.

The house where the shooting occurred is a two-story frame structure containing four apartments. The front apartment is occupied by Cecil Patterson and his family, and the rear apartment of four rooms by J. E. Creason, his wife and their little daughter.

"It was about 8 o'clock when Galloway came to the house," said Mr. Creason. "He was greatly excited and told me he had been in a shooting scrape and had shot a man. He said that they, meaning the officers, were after him and he did not know what to do. I told him that the best thing for him to do was surrender. He said: 'No, I'm not ready yet.'

Mr. and Mrs. Creason, Who Fed Galloway and Tried to Persuade Him to Surrender.

MR. AND MRS. J. E. CREASON,
In Whose Home Galloway Took Forcible Possession and Held Out Against a Posse Until Forced to Run for His Life When a Bullet Ended His Career

" 'Give me something to eat first and I will think about it,' he said. I have known Galloway for several years and worked for him at my trade as an electrician. He had always been a good friend and I saw no wrong in giving him something to eat and told my wife to fix him something. She fried some chops and potatoes and made some coffee for him. He tried to eat, but he was nervous and he could hardly swallow.

THE POSSE COMES.

"All this time my wife and I tried to find out just who he had shot and what the shooting was about, but he would put us off with the one answer, 'I will tell you when I am ready.' After supper he sat in a corner and seemed to be in a deep study. He paid no attention to our little girl, who seemed to annoy him by her childish prattle.

"I did not know what to do, so thought I would take a walk in the fresh air. I had hardly gotten 100 feet from the house when I met some people from Rosedale. They told me that Galloway had killed the undersheriff and that they were after him. I told them that he was in my house, but warned them not to go after him, as I feared he might use one of the weapons he had there. I told the crowd that I would endeavor to get him to surrender. I went back to the house. Galloway was still sitting in the corner, but jumped up w hen I came into the room.

" 'They know where you are,' I told him. 'Why don't you surrender?' 'I am not ready yet,' he said. I could get nothing more from him. Half an hour later some of the officers came into the ho use. I went downstairs and told them that Galloway was upstairs, but that he was armed and that it would be dangerous for them to go up there at that time. My family was up there, too, and I did not want my wife or daughter to be shot in case Galloway or the officers started shooting.

REFUSES TO SURRENDER.

This turned the posse back for a while and I made another effort to get Galloway to surrender. He still refused and I called to my wife and daughter and we went to the front of the house in Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Patterson's rooms. We left the gas burning in the dining room and the hall. The bedroom, in the closet in which Galloway took refuge, opened from the dining room by big folding doors as you see. The gas mantle on this lamp was broken and it was not lighted. We all remained in the front room until the posse called to us to come out of the house. As we went out I again told Galloway to surrender; that the house was surrounded and he could not get away, or if he did that he would have to jump to the house next door and climb down the side of the house.

" 'I am not ready yet,' were the last words he said to me. I felt as if the officers would not take Galloway alive and I feared that several might be killed. I was so nervous I did know what I was doing or saying. All I thought of was to prevent any more bloodshed.

"After we left the house we went into Griffin's home next door. We had hardly gotten inside when the shooting began. I put my fingers to my ears so that I would not hear the shots.

SURE HE WAS CRAZY.

"Galloway must have been out of his mind. He could have escaped from the house several times after he knew that the officers had him spotted and he could have held that staircase with his guns against 100 policemen. Why he refused to surrender and then retreated into the clothes closet where he was caught like a rat in a trap can only be explained by my opinion that he was crazy.

"Galloway brought the rifle and the shot gun over to the ho use this afternoon. He also brought a suitcase full of ammunition. This was before he did the shooting. He told us that he was going hunting and he wanted to leave his guns at our house. We had no objections to this as we had always been the best of friends. After we left the house he must have taken his rifle and gone into the closet. He left his shotgun in a corner in the kitchen."

THREATENED TO KILL WIFE FOR YEARS.

Mrs. Anna Galloway, wife of Charles Galloway, has been living with her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Connor, at their home, 1700 Dodd street, Rosedale, ever since she instituted divorce proceedings against her husband. For over forty-eight hours she has been a prisoner in that home, fearing even to step out, lest Galloway be near, ready to fire at her, as he had repeatedly threatened to do.

When seen last night after the killing of Deputy Sheriff Lukens, she was nearly in a state of nervous prostration. She had witnessed the start of the tragic escapade from a window in her room . She saw the officer attempt to serve papers on her husband. She heard the ensuing shots and then fell in a swoon.

"Oh, I knew it would come to this terrible end -- I knew it, I knew it," she moaned, as she paced nervously up and down the floor. "Charlie has had murder in his heart for thirteen years and I have always realized that it would only be a matter of time until the impulse would control him. He wasn't sane; he couldn't have been.

"Five times since Priests of Pallas week he has threatened to kill me, and from one day to another I never knew if I would see daylight again. Today some stranger 'phoned from a saloon to be extremely careful, as he had heard Charlie say that this would be the last day I could live. Marshal Drew remained with me to protect me and he has been in our house here all day.

"The first time Mr. Galloway ever threatened me was thirteen years ago. I should have left him then, but I thought he would get over his insane notions and I wanted to make a success of our married life if at all possible. He did reform and was better to me for some time, but when our two children, Harvey and Walter, were old enough to run around a great deal he began abusing me terribly and many times told me he would kill me. He became a harder drinker every year and would get in such a condition that no one could manage him at all.

"Many times as he choked me, and more than once has the end seemed so near that I could not possibly escape, but God has been with me for my children's sake I guess."

VICTIM WELL KNOWN IN WYANDOTTE.

Charles Quincy Lukens was 33 years old. He lived with his widowed mother, Mrs. Sarah Lukens, 336 Harrison street, Argentine. He was unmarried. He was appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff Al Becker about one year ago. Before his appointment Lukens was constable and later marshal of Argentine for several terms. He had also served on the Argentine fire department. "Charley" Lukens was known by everyone in Argentine, both old and young, and also had a wide acquaintance thorugout the county. He was regarded as a very efficient officer, and had a reputation for fearlessness.

Besidses his mother he is survived by four sisters and four brothers. The sisters are: Mrs. Lydia Jones of Girard, Kas., Mrs. Beulah Robinson of 1108 East Twenty-fourth street, Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. C. A. Hare of Faircastle, O., Mrs. Leonard Eshnaur of Terminal Isle, Cal. The brothers are J. R. Lukens of Oklahoma City, Ok., and L. B, J. E., and F. D. Lukens of Argentine.

ILLNESS REUNITES COUPLE. ~ Married Twenty-Seven Years, Divorced Three, Will Again Wed.

November 26, 2025

ILLNESS REUNITES COUPLE.

Married Twenty-Seven Years, Di-

vorced Three, Will Again Wed.

A marriage license issued yesterday in Kansas City, Kas., to Henderson James and Ella James is of more than passing interest to ones familiar with the story of their lives. It is a story of twenty-seven years of married life, then an interval of three years as divorcees, an application for a marriage license and the prospective reunion of two persons who began life as husband and wife on Thanksgiving day just thirty years ago in Lawrence, county, Ind.

The illness yesterday of Mrs. James, who is at the home of her son, Guy Henderson James, 305 Shawnee avenue, Kansas City, Kas., prevented the marriage of the couple, but it will be performed just as soon as she is convalescent. Four grown children will be made happy by the reconciliation of their parents.

"We decided it was all a mistake and determined to forget all about it," said Mr. James yesterday.

Mrs. James has been living at 53 Lombard street until recently, when she moved to her present address. She became sick a few days ago and her former husband, who is employed at the stock yards, came to take care of her. After talking the matter over they decided that they could not get along without each other. Mr. James is 51 years old and his prospective bride is 48.

MAY DIVORCE JESSE JAMES. ~ Mrs. Stella S. James Files Suit -- Friends Think James May Re-enter the Tobacco Business.

November 5, 2025

MAY DIVORCE JESSE JAMES.

Mrs. Stella S. James Files Suit --

Friends Think James May Re-

Enter the Tobacco Business.

JESSE JAMES.

Jesse James, lawyer, son of the famous bandit, and one of the best known men in Kansas City, was made defendant in a divorce suit filed yesterday by Stella J. James, who says they were married January 24, 1900.

Jesse and his wife were married while he was running a cigar store in the Junction building at Ninth and Main streets. It was not long after his celebrated trial in which he was acquitted of a charge of complicity in the Blue Cut train robbery. Jesse was one of the most talked of men in all the country in those days, and his cigar business prospered.

That he and his wife led a happy married life was the general opinion of their friends. In her petition, however, Mrs. James says that her husband has been getting homo late at night, and on these occasions has refused to tell his wife where he had been. The wife says that she is ill and under a doctor's care and without means of support. Their home is at 809 Elmwood avenue.

Friends of Jesse James have noted a change in his demeanor within the last few days. That he was troubled was apparent. Long ago he quit the cigar business, and for a time was the proprietor of a pawn shop. Then he began to study law, and after his graduation he began to practice in local courts and gave evidence of doing well. He devoted his attention largely to criminal business.

Only a few days ago Jesse confided to friends that he had decided to quit the law and intended to go on the road for the American Tobacco Company. It was Jesse's first intimation that he was not satisfied with the legal profession.

Jesse James was not at the Elmwood avenue address last night, and persons at the house said that Mrs. James was sick in bed and could not discuss the case.

NOT TO BE A DIVORCE MECCA. ~ Judge Powell at Independence Transfers 52 Default Cases to Kansas City.

October 13, 2025

NOT TO BE A DIVORCE MECCA.

Judge Powell at Independence

Transfers 52 Default Cases

to Kansas City.

Judge Walter A. Powell of the circuit court is determined that Independence shall not become a divorce mecca for mismated Kansas Cityans.

Yesterday, by arrangement with the circuit judges here, he transferred fifty-two default cases back to Kansas City. Twenty-two cases in which papers were in the hands of officers for service, were retained in the Independence division. It is probable that Judge Powell will transfer more cases the later end of the week.

It has become the custom of disgruntled married persons in Kansas City who seek divorce to enter suit in Independence with the idea that they can avoid some of the publicity usual in such cases and also obtain decrees with dispatch. Judge Powell intends to put an end to the custom.

MET AFFINITY ON WOLF HUNT. ~ Dell L. Park Granted a Divorce After Giving His Evidence.

October 11, 2025

MET AFFINITY ON WOLF HUNT.

Dell L. Park Granted a Divorce

After Giving His Evidence.

Affinities may not be common to the woods and fields, yet from the evidence in a divorce suit heard yesterday by Judge E. E. Porterfield of the circuit court affinities there are and everywhere. In fact, the evidence had it, a Kansas City woman found one on a wolf hunt.

Dell L. Park, an inspector in Kansas City for the Hartford Insurance Company, was the plaintiff in a suit for divorce brought against Mollie E. Park. Last spring the couple went to Yates Center, Kas., on a wolf hunt. Here Mrs. Park, it is alleged, met her affinity. She did not appear in court, and Judge Porterfield granted Park a divorce.

SAYS TOWN IS A DIVORCE MECCA. ~ Independence People Claim Many Suits Filed There Give Outsiders Wrong Impression.

September 25, 2025

SAYS TOWN IS A DIVORCE MECCA.

Independence People Claim Many

Suits Filed There Give Out-

siders Wrong Impression.

Independence people are getting tired of mismated Kansas Cityans going there to file divorce suits.

"Every day," said R. W. McCurdy of Independence yesterday, "a raft of divorce suits are filed, and the papers mention the fact that the suits were filed at Independence.

"I am a traveling man, and a fellow asked me on the cars: 'What's the matter with you Independence men? Can't you get along with the women?' The impression gets abroad that Independence is worse than Pittsburgh."

The matter was mentioned recently at a meeting of the Independence Commercial Club, and that organization probably will take some steps to stop the influx of proposed divorcees or give every Independence man a clean bill of health.

CRUELTY A DIVORCE CHARGE. ~ Army Surgeon's Wife Says She Was Prisoner in Dark Room.

September 21, 2025

CRUELTY A DIVORCE CHARGE.

Army Surgeon's Wife Says She Was

Prisoner in Dark Room.

Mrs. Rubey B. Rutherford filed suit for divorce in the circuit court yesterday against Henry H. Rutherford, a surgeon in the United States army, now stationed in the Philippines. They were married in 1900 in Columbia, Mo., and separated last February. She charges that Rutherford used harsh language and on several occasions locked her in her room, taking away the incandescent lights so she would be in the darkness. When she returned to the Philippines in 1908 after having visited her parents in the United States, she says he told her he was sorry she had returned. Later he told her to go home and stay, she says, and she did so. There is a child, now nine years of age.

SOUGHT RELIEF IN COURTS. ~ James King's Marital Experiences Were Too Strenuous, He Says.

July 15, 2025

SOUGHT RELIEF IN COURTS.

James King's Marital Experiences

Were Too Strenuous, He Says.

James I. King had a strenuous marital experience, according to the petition for divorce he filed in the circuit court at Independence yesterday against Gertrude King, in which he says: "She scolded, she fussed, nagged, threw scalding water on him, struck him in the face, hurled a hatchet at him, cut him with a butcher knife, threatened to poison and 'gas' him, broke the alarm clock, which awakened her, refused to get his breakfast or lunch, took his wages, locked him out of doors, refused to let him attend lodge, cashed in goods he bought at the store if they did not suit her and kept the money, threw grease on his clothing, struck and scratched him and then ran off with his children by a former marriage."

This capped the climax and King sought relief in the courts.

AGED "CABBY" A SUICIDE. ~ Dan Marvin Kills Himself to Join Wife Who Divorced Him.

July 3, 2025

AGED "CABBY" A SUICIDE.

Dan Marvin Kills Himself to Join

Wife Who Divorced Him.

Love for his wife from whom he had been divorced for four years, and who died a week ago, caused Dan Marvin, 68 years of age, to commit suicide at his home, 405 1/2 East Fifteenth street, early this morning. Marvin used a revolver and shot himself through the heart, death resulting instantly For the past week Marvin has been disconsolate and bemoaned the death of his wife to many of his friends.

"She was the best pal I ever had," he was wont to say, "and I am ashamed of the way she has been treated. She is dead now, dead."

Dating form the death of his wife, who had remarried and was deserted by her second husband, Marvin had not been in a cheery frame of mind. He made continual threats to join her and to repair the wrong which he had done her.

After his body had been removed to an undertaker's the following note was found:

"Friend Will: Please pay Egan $50 to put me away decent and oblige, D. A. Marvin."

The Will referred to is Will Mayberry, at whose liver stable Marvin stabled his horses. Marvin has been a cab driver for many years and for the past eight years he has stood out in front of McClintock's restaurant, on Walnut street.

SHE SLAPS LAWYER IN COURT. ~ Then Mrs. Williford Challenges O. T. Knox to Finish Fight.

June 30, 2025

SHE SLAPS LAWYER IN COURT.

Then Mrs. Williford Challenges O.

T. Knox to Finish Fight.

When Mrs. Hattie Williford left the witness stand in Judge James H. Slover's division of the circuit court yesterday, she walked straight to where O. T. Knox, an attorney, was sitting and slapped his face. She lives at 1093 Cherry street and had taken umbrage at a question asked her by Knox, who represented Mark Dewey in his divorce suit against Alice Dewey. The latter is a sister of Mrs. Williford.

Mrs. Williford also expressed her determination and willingness to make the fight one to a finish, in or out of the court room. Knox, who has a James J. Jeffries physique, brushed her away before the court attendants arrived.

Judge Slover smiled. No one was fined. The case was not finished yesterday.

GRIEF DRIVES AGED WOMAN TO SUICIDE. ~

June 28, 2025

GRIEF DRIVES AGED

WOMAN TO SUICIDE.

HUSBAND OF HALF A CENTURY

PROCURED DIVORCE.

Heartbroken Over This Treatment,

Mrs. Mary Robinson, 70 Years

Old, a Paralytic, Swallows

Carbolic Acid.

Heart-broken over alleged treatment by her husband to whom she had been married forty-six years, and to whom she had borne 8 children, Mrs. Mary M. Robinson, 70 years old, swallowed carbolic acid yesterday morning at 9:30 o'clock and, successfully struggling against the efforts of a physician to administer an antidote, died an hour and a half later

She lived with her son, Ernest E. Robinson, 37 years old, and father of four children, at 312 South Topping avenue.

For about three years O. G. Robinson, three years his wife's junior, worked in Tennessee. He made frequent trips to Kansas City, however.

Four weeks ago Ernest Robinson says he received a letter from his father, declaring that "he guessed he was of age," and could act as he saw fit. The letter said he had procured a divorce in the South and had married a woman from Mississippi, 32 years old, who is now with him in Kansas City.

AGED WOMAN PARALYTIC.

Already a hopeless paralytic, having used crutches for several years, the aged wife could not bear the added burden. She knew of a bottle of carbolic acid which her daughter-in-law used for household purposes, and secured it.

Although for years she could hardly raise her hand to her head, in her despair she managed to reach the bottle that lay on a shelf higher than the top of the kitchen door.

Ernest Robinson, the son, had been summoned to a neighbor's by a telephone call. Hardly had he taken down the receiver, when his little daughter who had run after him, cried out:

"Papa, grandma wants you to come quick as you can."

"ALL OVER," SHE TOLD SON.

When he reached his mother's side, she told him there was no use in sending for a doctor, "for it was all over with her." By 11 o'clock she was dead.

Her former husband was notified and went with his son to make arrangements with the undertaker.

Another son, Arthur B. Robinson, 40 years old, lives next door to his brother at 310 Topping avenue. He has three children. These two sons are the only ones of the eight children surviving.

Mrs. Robinson was born, reared and married at Jay, Mo., but for twenty-three years had lived in Missouri.

WROTE 275 LETTERS TO WIFE. ~ Urging Her to Come Back, So Divorce Was Denied Sheridan.

May 26, 2025

WROTE 275 LETTERS TO WIFE.

Urging Her to Come Back, So Di-

vorce Was Denied Sheridan.

Andrew Jackson Sheridan, 65 years old, was yesterday denied a divorce from Louisa M. Sheridan, from whom he has been separated eight years. Mr. Sheridan, who lives in the house boat Mable, moored at the foot of Minnesota avenue, on the Kaw river, brought the suit before Judge E. L. Fischer of the Wyandotte county district court. The reason why he could not procure legal separation from Mrs. Sheridan was because he was found to think too much of her. Disaster came to his plans when lawyers for the defense produced in evidence 275 letters to the defendant, urging her to come back and live with him.

The plaintiff has lived in the house boat on the Kaw over three years and his face is brown from the reflection of the river. Mrs. Sheridan lives with her son in Toledo, O. Depositions from her were read in court. All of the 275 letters which Sheridan has addressed to his wife in the past year are affectionate and urge her to come live in his boat. In different places he alludes to her as being made up of parts of the pig, oyster and chicken. In one letter he promises to give her treatment to make her a "perfect human like myself."

Judge Fischer believed that a man who could give so much free advice to his wife and sign himself her loving husband did not badly want a divorce.