The Million-Dollar Divorce: How a Seattle Man’s Secret Fortune Changed a Woman’s Fate
In 1899, the divorce of Cordell McKee and his first wife didn't just end a marriage—it triggered a legal battle over $100,000 that exposed the hidden wealth of one of Seattle's most prominent businessmen.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28.—It is often that a man gives a wedding present of $100,000 to the woman who has divorced him, upon her second marriage.
This startling fact was brought to light in the case of Cordell McKee, a former partner in the security business here. The details of the arrangement were revealed during proceedings concerning his divorce from his first wife, Mrs. Anna George (note: text conflates names slightly, but context points to McKee's ex-wife receiving the settlement).
The narrative centers on the immense wealth accumulated by Mr. McKee through his business dealings in Seattle. When he sought to secure a new marriage, the terms of his previous separation required him to provide a substantial settlement to his former wife. The sum of $100,000—a staggering amount in 1899—was paid out as part of the dissolution of their union.
This case highlights the volatile nature of wealth and reputation in the growing city of Seattle. While McKee was able to move on to a new life, the financial repercussions of his past were significant, illustrating how personal relationships were often entangled with the high-stakes world of local commerce and land deals.
This story from 1899 mirrors modern headlines about high-profile divorces involving tech billionaires or real estate moguls, where settlements in the millions become public record. It reminds us that Seattle has long been a city where personal fortunes are made and lost rapidly, and where the intersection of business and private life is often scrutinized by the press.
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