A Manly Act
When the Governor returned to Dayton from Washington in 1908 and 1909 something seemed lacking. The old love which was so strong in 1893 was gone. On October 2, 1909, he and Mrs. Cox separated although no formal action was taken for two years. His wife, Mary Harding Cox, had in the meantime moved to Cleveland where she established a residence. Legal proceedings were brought through the Patterson law offices, American Trust Building, Cleveland, Ohio. Afterwards she went to Germany remaining there until early in 1914. In the fall of 1914 she married Mr. Richard H. Lee. Mr. Lee is a much-respected attorney now of New York City and resides at Pelham Manor with his wife. Although Mr. Cox had arranged to pay for the support of the children, Mr. Lee insisted that such money be not so used, but invested for the children to receive as a future benefit. Many who did not really know Mr. Cox and his former wife before that time then learned to love and respect them both.
The petition was filed on May 10, 1911. As is customary in such cases, i. e., when the husband intends to be chivalrous, Mr. Cox permitted his wife to ask for the divorce. It was granted on June 22, 1911. The Court decided that the custody of the children should be awarded to each party equally.
It was a wonderful test for any man or woman. Only persons of the highest character could handle themselves in such a straightforward impassionate way. The attitude of both is an example of frankness, courage and kindness. Everyone who knew them then is enthusiastic in their praise. Both, of course, today always speak well of the other and the children are naturally equally fond of mother and father. It was an unfortunate affair and yet was probably for the best. The venerable Dayton attorney, Hon. John A. McMahon, was Mr. Cox’s counsel in the case. All who know Mr. Cox or Mary Harding Cox realize that they would do only what they thought was best under the circumstances.
The youngest son, now thirteen, is with his mother in New York and the older son, about sixteen, is a student at the Culver Military Academy in Indiana. The daughter is married and lives in Dayton, her husband being in the employ of her father on the Dayton News. Mr. Cox believes in doing the best possible under all circumstances and trusting the results. He never discusses the case and makes no explanations. Further light is thrown on the case by the fact that Cox did not meet his second wife until five years after the divorce was granted from his first wife.