Married Too Often, Times-Republican, Marshalltown, Iowa, 23 October 1915, page 4, column 4

Married Too Often

Wedding Bells Ring With Too Great Frequency For Ethel Wicks
Tries to Fill Place in Two Loving Hearts

Ethel Becomes Careless in Matrimonial Marathon and Becomes Bride For Fifth Time Without Releasing Fourth Mate – Returns to Hubby No. 4, and Last Spouse Causes Arrest.

Special to Times-Republican.

Hampton, Oct. 12.- Usually in cases of too much marrying, it is the man who is too many times wedded, but circumstances indicate that officers here have a case in which the woman has been won – if not wooed – oftener than is permitted by the laws of the land, and without going to the trouble of applying to the divorce court.

On Oct. 13 a license was issued at the court house permitting the marriage of George Dietrich and Ethel Wicks, both claiming to be from Liscomb. As witnesses, W. B. Aldrich, of this city, was obtained, and the ceremony was performed by a local justice of the peace. Dietrich is said to be a fireman on the M. & St. L.

Much marrying, perhaps, had made the woman careless for the rights of her latest spouse, and last Monday night, it is said, she was found occupying a hotel room at Iowa Falls in company with one Fred Noble, of Fort Dodge. It seems that Dietrich surmised where she was, and the Hardin county officials were notified. They soon located her, but upon a serious accusation being made, she is said to have flashed a marriage certificate showing that she had married Noble Sept. 6, 1911. It soon dawned upon the newest husband that the woman apparently was guilty not only of adultery, but also bigamy.

Franklin county officials were notified and she was arrested and brought here on a charge of bigamy.

Has Had Five Husbands.

The woman is about 35 years of age, and is said to have admitted that she has been married five times, altho the dates of the first three unions have escaped her. The first was to Bert Bump, at Nevada, and three children are said to have been born of the union. The next was to Bert Purdy, at Eldora, and then George Hughes of Minneapolis, was made happy, when she again enacted the part of a blushing bride. The fourth venture was with Fred Noble. The latest wedding was on the thirteenth – perhaps that’s why all this trouble.