40 Year-Old Wife Of Boy Husband Will Fight Divorce

1914

Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 14. — Mrs. Maude Kinney-Patrick-Bates, through attorneys has signified her intention of contesting the application of Charles Bates, her 16-year-old husband, to have the marriage to his 40-year-old wife set aside.

The case was to have been heard yesterday by Judge Hugh Brennan of the district court. Until yesterday Mrs. Patrick has remained silent and it was presumed young Bates would secure the annulment by default.

Attorneys C. C. Dowell and John McLennan have entered their appearances in the case and Bates was denied the chance to secure the annulment without a fight.

The case attracted considerable attention some time ago when Bates alleged he had been lured into marrying a woman twice his age through continued protestations of love on her part. They went to Chicago and were married under assumed names; he as Charles Buford and she as Frances Kinney. Since their return to Des Moines they have not lived together.

With the entrance of the two attorneys into the case it is probable Mrs. Patrick will file her answer to the charges made by her boy husband in a short time.