30 Hilarious and Bizarre Reasons to Divorce That Made Headlines in the Early 20th Century

Not surprisingly, divorce rates have only increased over time. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this, including general attitudes towards divorce and marriage in society. While statistics reveal a steady increase in divorce rates, it wasn't until the 70s that divorce became statistically prevalent.

Prior to 1867, divorce statistics were not recorded. While there certainly was a stigma attached to divorcing a spouse in the 1800s, divorce still happened on occasion. One factor that influenced divorce statistics at this time was the fact that women, outside of marriage, had very few economic opportunities.

While divorce rates still were not that high compared to later years, divorce began to slowly increase. It's important to note that many places didn't even keep track of divorce statistics until the turn of the century, which may have caused at least some of the increase in the overall divorce rates. Comparatively, divorce rates during the early 1900s were still low because you could not obtain a divorce without proving significant cause of abuse, adultery, or abandonment.

Harrisburg Telegraph, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1924

Oakland Tribune, California, November 2, 1909

St Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, August 18, 1907

Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 10, 1900

Oakland Tribune, California, February 27, 1909

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, January 7, 1910

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, July 28, 1908

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, May 1, 1908

The Pittsburgh Press, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1919

The Evening News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1920

Evansville Press, Indiana, January 4, 1909

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, November 8, 1907

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, May 3, 1906

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, January 6, 1909

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, August 4, 1909

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, August 4, 1909

The Evening Statesman, Walla Walla, Washington, February 1, 1910

Oakland Tribune, April 18, 1911

Pennsylvania, April 29, 1943

The Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, January 23, 1921

Vancouver Daily World, Canada, September 1, 1908

The Star Press, Muncie, Indiana, May 19, 1922

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, May 21, 1910

St Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, June 25, 1909

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, December 8, 1908

September 19, 1908

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, August 11, 1909

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1898

Reading Times, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1929

(via Yesterday's Print)