A classic example of two good people who grew apart over the years, this couple finally filed for divorce because she loved her ragtime music and he preferred classical or sacred music.
Ragtime Had No Charms
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 28. — Mrs. Jessie Koenig has filed suit for divorce from her husband, City Forester Julius Koenig, charging extreme cruelty.
The cruelty consists in the fact that Julius won’t let her play ragtime on the radio, but insists on sacred or classical music.
“When we were married 10 years ago,” explained Mrs. Koenig, today, “Julius had #3, I had $4 and we were perfectly happy.
“Then, two years ago, he was appointed city forester at $2,000 a year, and began to suffer from highbrowism.
“He said I wasn’t refined enough for him, and he wouldn’t let me play ragtime, and wanted me to play a lot of fool classical and sacred music.
“I still love Julius, but I’d rather live without him than without ragtime, and that’s all there is to it. Anyhow, he’s too highbrow!”
Julius also says he still loves Jessie, and refuses to say harsh things about her or her passion for playing ragtime music.
Source: The Day Book (Chicago, Illinois newspaper). August 28, 1912.
