This Week in Colorado History: In Need of Marriage Counseling

The annals of history are filled with many unusual, even bizarre but true stories.  One of these is that of Mrs. Marie Higby, recounted by “The Colorado Transcript” of April 18, 1912.  Mrs. Higby brought a $50,000 suit against her in-laws Chester A. and Laura Higby for “alienating her from the affections of her husband Chester Leon Higby.” 

Plaintiff Marie Higby married Chester L. Higby September 6, 1911, and contended that “five days later her husband was induced to leave her and that she has never seen him since.”  She argued that right up until he “was induced to leave her,” her husbnd was “deeply attached to her” and that, if not for his parents, he would still have been with her. 

According to the “Transcript,” “Mrs. Higby declares that as soon as her parents-in-law heard of the marriage they conceived and have since harbored an intense dislike for her, and that they at once set about to prejudice the mind of their son against his bride and to alienate his affections from her.”  She said that his parents were so successful that the younger Mr. Higby went to Mexico and had not returned or communicated, except for one letter stating he would not be returning. 

The plaintiff also complained that her in-laws were divesting their property and departing from Colorado and therefore owed her for these properties as well. Mrs. Higby was extremely serious about her money as “She demands that in the event of her winning a judgment the defendants be committed to the jail until such amount of judgment is played.”  It could be argued winning the suit would have been better than having the husband for Mrs. Higby.

Also in April 1912, the Loch Lomond Grange Hall in Fairmount, Colorado was dedicated with what the “Transcript” described as “impressive ceremonies.”  K. Shelby Rhea served as master of ceremonies with J.A. Newcomb as dedicating officer.  After the dedication ceremonies, attendees enjoyed entertainment. The Grangers’ Glee club performed a song “which elicited much applause.”  There were also piano solos and duets as well as a comedy entitled Jumbo Jum which “was very ably presented, causing much laughter.  There was also a farce entitled Terrible Towser, an elocutionist, several more singers, and a haunted house before the evening ended with dancing.  The Grange had a successful hall dedication and an entertaining Friday night together.