Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage in the Matter of Emma James vs. George W.
James in the District Court of Craig County, Oklahoma, dated April 1918; including
Sworn Affidavit of Emma James in Support; Summons issued to George James; and, Judgement
of Divorce entered by the District Judge on February 4, 1919.
In August 1918, Emma (Logston) James (1872-1919) filed a petition for the dissolution
of her marriage to George Washington James (1869-1944) of Arcadia, Kansas in the
District Court of Craig County, Oklahoma. In her petition for the dissolution of
her marriage Emma alleged that George had not provided any financial support to her
and their five children since George’s departure nine months prior. Emma further
alleged that George had taken away their two eldest sons Frank James (age 16) and
William James (age 14) who, since the time of their father's departure in November
1917, had been helping financially support Emma and her three younger children including
Charles Calvin James (age 12), Hazel James (age 8) and Lola James (age 1). On September
13, 1918, a summons for George to answer the petition for dissolution of marriage
was issued. George was ordered to answer by October 3, 1918. There is no record
of any reply from George. On February 4, 1919, a judgement of divorce was granted
to Emma and signed by the district judge. Emma was awarded full custody of all five
of their children. The judgement of divorce took effect on August 4, 1919. Below
are images of the original court file records in the Matter of Emma James vs. George
W. James.
