Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1917 — PARTIES NOW RESIDE HERE [ARTICLE]

PARTIES NOW RESIDE HERE

Principal and Alleged Affinity Are Residents of Rensselaer. George M. Meyers, a resident of Rensselaer for the past three years and a former part owner of the Jasper County Telephone exchange, who some time ago brought suit for divorce from Mrs. Mary E. Meyers of Washington, Illinois, was recently made the defendant in a cross-complaint for divorce filed by* the latter. Mrs. Meyers charged desertion in the cross-complaint, and after hearing her testimony and that of a neighbor, the decree of divorce was granted to Airs. Meyers. In reporting the case the Peoria, TlMnois, Star published the following facts: Following a separation of five years ago when the name of another woman was mentioned, Mrs.

Marjr/ E. Meyers of Washington, Illinois, today was granted a divorce from George M. Meyers, former president of the Washington Telephone company, now a resident •of Rensselaer, Indiana. The suit, which was begun in Tazewell county more than two years ago, was heard here by Judge Green of Pekin in the principal court today. Mrs. Meyers amended a cross bill for separate maintenance to make it a bill for absolute divorce. Desertion alone was ; charged. Only (Mrs. Meyers and a neighbor, Mrs. Ida B. Cooper, testified. Meyers was in the court room. An agreement had already been reached between attorneys for the parties to the suit and the terms were read into the record. Big real estate holdings held jointly are to be divided by the terms of the decree. The husband is counted one of the most successful telephone men in this part of the country and was a leader ip 'business affairs of Washington. In October of 1911 Meyers and his wife were separated. Meyers left the city and Mrs. Anna Best, who had been employed as a telephone operator, left town about the same time. Mr. Best subsequently obtained a divorce from his wife. Meyers brought the suit for divorce hoping, her friends say, that she would file a cross bill and get a divorce. She merely filed an answer and the case hung fire. When the suit was called for a hearing here today Attorneys Well & Bartley presented the amended cross bill and Mr. Weil read the agreement. Mrs. Meyers received the following: Business property on Main street in Washington. The homestead in Washington. Farm land known as the Chatsworth farm. Twelve hundred dollars which she had advanced to her husband. In addition Meyers to quit claim all interest he may have in any property acquired by Mrs. Meyers from her mother’s estate. He to deed to - their son Ralph the premises ih Washington now occupied by Mr. Smith. ■Hte is to pay SI,OOO to Ralph in

lieu of rentals the son claims from rentals of the Smith property. Mrs. Meyers is to quit claim to Meyers her interest in a farm of 280 acres in Indiana and any interest in the estate of Meyers’ father. Meyers is to pay all bills contracted by his wife for meats and groceries in Washington and she is to retain all household furniture and articles. The settlement is accepted by Mrs. Meyers in payment of all claims for alimony, dower or homestead rights. Mrs. Meyers testified that she had lived in Washington township for twenty-two years. She was married to Meyers thirty years ago on March 4. They separated on October 6, 1911. “He left me for another woman,” Said Mrs. Meyers when asked if she gave any cause for abandoning her. Mrs. Cooper corroborated her statements that Meyers had lived apart from his wife. She said she telephoned' to Meyers four years ago that his wife was dangerously ill and that he came and stayed in Washington for one week.