Court Awards Alimony in Sensational Divorce Case
Mrs. 'Jack' Smith secures court-ordered support despite being barred from Walla Walla by police.
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In a surprising legal development, Mrs. 'Jack' Smith has won a court order requiring her husband, 'Jack' Smith, to pay $15 monthly alimony, $15 in suit money, and $50 in attorney's fees. Mrs. Smith is currently conducting her divorce suit from outside Walla Walla due to police interest in her behavior, specifically a sensational incident at Third and Popular streets where she allegedly brandished a revolver at another woman. The court found that Mrs. Smith was destitute and required the funds to continue her legal action.
“Notwithstanding the fact that Mrs. 'Jack' Smith has to conduct her divorce suit at long range by reason of the fact that the police have conscientious scruples about her presence in Walla Walla.”
This domestic drama highlights the gendered legal battles and public policing of women's private lives common in the era. The mention of 'suit money' (litigation costs) reminds us that divorce was an expensive, adversarial luxury for many women at the turn of the century.
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