A Divorce Scandal Becomes a Defamation Suit
After the Snell divorce, Bertha Denton sues Jennie Snell for calling her a prostitute and a 'low and lewd woman' before a crowd at the state encampment.
As a sequel to the Snell divorce proceedings, Miss Bertha M. Denton has brought suit against Mrs. Jennie M. Snell, who recently obtained a divorce from her husband, Marshal F. Snell, demanding $6,000 for defamation of character. The alleged defamation occurred during the state encampment of the N.G.W., when Mrs. Snell is said to have called Miss Denton a prostitute, an adventuress and a low and lewd woman in the presence of a large number of people.
“Demanding $6,000 for defamation of character.”
Then as now, sexual reputation could be used as a weapon in private feuds, and defamation law as the counterpunch. The Snell-Denton suit opens a window onto how divorce, gossip and women's names were litigated in public.
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