How to shed an unsuitable husband DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
Acentury ago, if you were a woman looking to dispense with a husband, it could require subterfuge.
Agnes May Franicevitch was a Christchurch widow with five children when she married Vincent Daniel Franicevitch in 1922.
The following year Vincent, a contractor, took a job in Culverden, returning home irregularly.
In mid 1923 Agnes took an advertisement out in the personal columns of a local newspaper. It read: “Lady of means wishes to communicate with gentleman, 36 to 40. View matrimony”.
The advertisement caught the eye of one Gabriel Cooper, a nautical fireman between positions, who was desirous of female company.
Upon meeting Agnes, he was smitten. Initially, she represented herself as a widow. Gabriel spent consecutive nights in Agnes’ company, until, in his words, “she had completely captured” his affections.
Only then did Agnes reveal that she was married. There had been no “impropriety” between the two. Agnes made clear that she “wasn’t a woman of that sort” and that if their relationship were to progress Gabriel would have to assist her to obtain a divorce. The appearance of infidelity would serve as a prelude to actual intimacy.
As Christmas approached, a suspicious Vincent returned to Christchurch. Failing to find Agnes home, he hid in a bush. From this vantage he observed his wife and her supposed lover enacting an embrace, kissing and fondling one another.
When Vincent emerged from the shrubbery enraged, Agnes fled into the house. Vincent and Gabriel exchanged loud unpleasantries. Gabriel informed the apparently cuckolded husband that Agnes now “belonged” to him.
Vincent was unwilling to abandon his marriage without a fight. He wrote to Agnes, suggesting a reconciliation on December 27.
At that meeting, Gabriel suddenly burst into the room, leading with his dukes, punching Vincent in the jaw. The fisticuffs continued for sometime.
During formal divorce proceedings, Vincent, unable to afford an attorney, ineptly represented himself. Gabriel also testified, revealing that as soon as the divorce papers were served, Agnes cooled toward him, swiftly breaking off their relationship. He had been a pawn in her game. Whatever evidence of a conspiracy, the divorce was nevertheless granted.