Her Beauty Fatal, This Girl Admits

1920

"TOO PRETTY TO BE GOOD WIFE," BRIDE DECLARES

Sued by Soldier-husband, She Says Her Looks Spoiled Her Wedded Career

NEW YORK, N. Y. -- Good-looking girls are warned to be careful in a letter introduced as evidence in the divorce suit brought in Patterson, N. J., by Sergt. James W. McGlade. The letter was written by McGlade's wife, Anita, who did not contest his suit. Francis Scott, special master in chancery, recommended that the decree be granted.

The letter, which admitted that the writer had left her husband to become the "pampered doll" of a millionaire oil speculator, added: "My beauty was fatal, my good looks a detriment to my being a good wife."

She ended with the hope that her case would be an example to other girls with good looks.

Testimony showed that the McGlades were married in 1911. On March 26, 1916, Mrs. McGlade left her child with her grandmother "to mind for a few hours." The following day she sent a telegram, saying she was sorry, but would not come home again for some time, and asking that no search be made for her.

McGlade was a member of the 5th New Jersey Regiment and went to France.

In March, 1918, while he was abroad, Mrs. Emma Monks, the grandmother, received a telegram from Mrs. McGlade saying she was about to commit suicide. It was followed by a letter from "a friend" confirming the suicide and enclosing the letter written by Mrs. McGlade which figured in the suit.

Sergeant McGlade learned on his return from France that his wife had fled with an oil speculator from Gary, Ind. He started divorce proceedings on the ground of desertion. Mrs. McGlade acknowledged service of the complaint, but did not defend the suit.

Custody of the 6-year-old child was given to the father.

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 2.