Bigamy

Two Mormon elders discuss another Mormon who has been found guilty of bigamy. Caption: Elder Heaperholmes–He has been tried by the church and found guilty of bigamy. / Elder Holikuss–Guilty of bigamy? / Elder Heaperholmes–That’s the judgment. He’s been married only twice.

Comments and Context

Among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at the time of this cartoon, bigamy was more common than it is today. Mormons were heavily criticized outside of Utah and other areas where the sect dominated, and there were many laws proposed to restrict polygamy. Ehrhart’s cartoon — with the Temple and a horde of children surrounding one father in the background — jokingly suggested that Mormons disfavored those with merely two spouses.

At this time the Mormon practice of polygamy was a favorite target of cartoonists. When Puck was a new magazine, one its first claims to national attention was a cartoon by Joseph Keppler Senior on the death of Mormon leader Brigham Young in 1877 — depicting an enormous bed with numerous widows weeping.

Oscar Tromlitz believes initiative, referendum, recall, and direct primaries are essential to eliminating corruption. He discusses thoughts on liquor and marriage laws. As his “power is very limited,” he shares his suggestions with people, such as Theodore Roosevelt, who have influence.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-11

This article details a campaign meeting held by William Edgar Borah in Weiser, Idaho, where he criticized current Senator Frederick T. Dubois on his failure to prosecute cases of bigamy in the state. Reverend Edward A. Paddock asked Borah why he didn’t submit complaints himself, and Borah retorted that he will pay for any cases of bigamy found by Reverend Paddock for the next two years. The crowd is pleased by this answer. There are several other articles present on this scan, including one on Secretary of War William H. Taft’s visit to Idaho.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-03

In a four panel cartoon, four Puck cartoonists each take a panel in an effort to solve the issue of Mormonism. Clockwise from bottom left, captioned, “I imagine it must be a perfect paradise–Keppler,” Joseph Keppler places himself at the center of a harem, smoking a hookah signed “J.K.” and surrounded by beautiful women, one bringing a bottle of “G.H. Mumm” champagne. At top left, captioned, “I think one wife is enough–Gillam,” Bernhard Gillam shows a domestic scene at his home where he, labeled “Small Income,” his coattails in the clutches of his wife, attempts to avoid being struck by her with a fireplace scoop, while “My Wife’s Relations” stand behind her. At top right, captioned, “How long will this destructive monster be allowed to live?–Opper,” Frederick Opper is shown gesturing toward a large octopus labeled “Mormonism” that has caught in its tentacles “S.J.T., Uncle Sam, Public Opinion, Y.M.C.A., Public School System, Justice, Independent New Party, W.H.V., Field, Gould, Kelly, [a] New York Dive, [and the] Catholic Church,” as well as Benjamin Butler, the U.S. Capitol, and reaching all the way to “Ireland.” On the bottom right, captioned, “What is the use of Mormonism, when a man can change his wife whenever he likes?–Graetz,” Friedrich Graetz stands in the foreground gesturing toward hordes of men rushing to get divorced on “Saturday. Divorce day in Chicago,” and at places advertising “Divorces without publicity, Divorces procured without delay. Liberal charges, [and] Divorces obtained for $5.00.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1884-02-13

Theodore Roosevelt relates the lawyer Cleveland’s advice to his sister Anna Roosevelt regarding her fiance’s divorce problems. If Anna and Cowles were to marry now, their marriage would be legal in California but not in New York, and a suit could be brought against Cowles for bigamy. It is up to them to decide if they want to take the risk.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1895-08-16

Wilhelm Snyman defends himself from accusations by Thomas Alfred Beddy regarding embezzlement of funds collected for the benefit of Boer women and orphans affected by the South African War.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-08-11