To Insure Domestic Tranquility

On the topic of Company K — all was not well with Capt. Charles Allen. Early in 1918, Freda Allen hired R.R. Peddicord to file an action for divorce from Charles, alleging desertion and non-support. They had two small daughters at the time.

Perhaps Charles was spending all his time and money on Company K.

However, by the time the divorce suit got into the newspaper (on Valentine's Day), the Allens had reached a "settlement of their differences." The divorce did not go through, and we find them still married in 1920.

In March, Charles resigned as captain of Company K, to the great regret of its members. The News' explanation seems to suggest that he did it to placate Freda: "Trouble outside of the company affairs came up, which, it is said, caused Mr. Allen's resignation."

Now First Lieutenant Charles W. Reeves automatically became the acting captain of Company K.

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R.R. Peddicord filed another suit in early 1918: Caroline Goodrich sought divorce from her husband Charles, after 33 years of marriage. Let's hope they make up their differences as well. It's stressful enough to have two sons in a wartime army without adding a divorce on top of that.


Sources:
♦ 1920 Census.
♦ "Capt. Allen Resigns." Hobart Gazette 29 Mar. 1918.
♦ "Capt. Chas. Allen of the Hobart Militia Co. Resigns." Hobart News 28 Mar. 1918.
♦ "Court Notes." Hobart News 14 Feb. 1918.