Muscatine County, Iowa DIVORCE ARTICLES

Source: The Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, Iowa, November 11, 1938, page 11
Submitted by Beverly Witmer, February 6, 2013

Marriage Basis of Court Action

In an action based on an alleged “common law” marriage, Ida B. Barry late Thursday afternoon filed suit for divorce in district court here against Nicholas Barry, prominent Muscatine manufacturer. The petition alleges that during the fall of 1930 in the city of Muscatine, “the plaintiff and the defendant mutually agreed that from that time on they were husband and wife.”

Both temporary and permanent alimony are sought by the plaintiff, as well as suit money and attorney fees to press the action. No definite amount is placed on the alimony asked. Wealth of the aged manufacturer is placed at approximately a half-million dollars in the petition. Cruel and inhuman treatment is alleged as grounds for the action. A $5,000 writ of attachment was issued against property of the defendant.