10 Curious Divorce Reasons From 1917

From the time I was little, I’ve heard people say that marriages lasted in the “old days.” And, “People made their marriages work.”

After spending the past seven years reading through old newspaper reports, I’ve got a different story to tell you.

Marriages did not always work out. Couples were constantly seeking divorce, and they came up with some interesting reasons for those divorces.

1. Struck Out

For instance, this woman regretted marrying a ballplayer and wanted out of the relationship.

“Mrs. Myrtle H. Williams wants divorce from Howard Williams, ballplayer. Says as a husband he struck out.” [Source]

2. Three Days

Getting a divorce seemed to be much easier if the couple had only been together for a short while.

“Mrs. Minadell Earle… got divorce from Chester W. Lived together three days.” [Source]

3. Indiscretion

Cheating on a partner was a very common reason for divorce.

“Mrs. Julia Lockerbie… found Oswald, hubby, in hotel with other woman. Divorce.” [Source]

4. Followed the Trail

And it wasn’t only the men who were sneaking around.

“R.C. Stovel sued Mildred Stovel, switchboard operator, for divorce. Trailed her to Atlantic hotel, where she registered with [another man].” [Source]

5. But She’s Crazy!

One common way to get rid of a wife was to have her committed to an asylum. Fortunately for this woman, that plan did not work out.

“Mrs. Margaret Messix… wants divorce from Wm. Says he tried to have her declared insane so he could get property control.” [Source]

6. A Lover, Not a Hater

Pretending to not be married was also common.

“Samuel Ericksen, store manager, sued for divorce by Ingeborg Ericksen. Says he poses as unmarried man and makes love to others.” [Source]

7. Phone Dates

The telephone was used for hooking up with other people, just like it is in today’s society.

“David Selcer, 18, son of department manager for Gage Hat Works, testified in father’s divorce suit that mother made dates over phone.” [Source]

8. Could Not Remember

Of course, you could always say that you have no memory of getting married.

“Dr. Raymond Sweany… granted annulment of marriage on plea that he did not remember getting hitched.” [Source]

9. Hypnotized

Or you can claim you were hypnotized.

“Mrs. Clara Baker wants annulment of marriage to Herbert Baker. Says he hypnotized her into marrying him.” [Source]

10. New Religion, New Husband

And finally, here is a divorce that sounds all too similar to quite a few divorces today.

“George Fischer… said he and wife ‘got religion’ at revival, and he kept it till wife ran away with Revivalist Oscar Wallen. Plea for divorce granted.” [Source]