In October 1909, an Oklahoma newspaper reported an Ohio woman, Mrs M. Simpson, had been handed four months’ in the county jail after pleading guilty to a statutory offence. Also given jail time was Mrs Simpson’s nephew, Edward.

While the report did not name Mrs Simpson’s offence, the details case suggest it may have been kidnapping or marital desertion:

“Homer Simpson, a prosperous real estate man of Cleveland, Ohio, husband of Mrs Simpson, appeared against the pair. He has been tracking his wife since she deserted him last month, taking with her their eight-year-old son.”

Source: The Daily Ardmoreite, Oklahoma, October 5th 1909. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.