Books: Reno

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RENO

THE HOLY BIBLE
I quote the following:

"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it came to pass
that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some
uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and
give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

"And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another
man's wife."

From the fifth book of Moses, Deuteronomy, Chapter XXIV.

[Illustration: Lilyan Stratton]

A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES AND INFORMATION

BY

LILYAN STRATTON

Author of
"The Wife's Lesson"
"Feminine Philosophy"
Etc. Etc.

SCENIC VIEWS
by
VAN-NOY INTERSTATE COMPANY OF SAN FRANCISCO

1921
Lilyan Stratton Corbin

I dedicate this book to all good husbands and to my own in
particular.....
L.S.

CHAPTER

Part 1. Social and Industrial Life

Part 2. Reno Tragedies

Part 3. Reno Romance

Part 4. Reno Comedies

Part 5. Reno and its People

Part 6. Nevada Divorce Laws

Part 7. Sons of the Sagebrush

I do not guarantee the statements and information contained in this
book, but they are taken from sources which I believe to be accurate.

LILYAN STRATTON.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Washoe County Court House, Reno, Nevada
One of the Court Rooms in Famous Reno Court House
Palisades Canyon Showing Humbolt River
Lovers' Leap Blue Canyon
Truckee River Canyon
Off to Donner Lake
Amid the Snow at Truckee, California
Donner Lake
Truckee River Dam
Honeywood of the Wingfield Stables
Views of Reno's Public Play Grounds
University of Nevada
General View of Reno, Looking N. W.
Wingfield Home
The Truckee from Riverside Drive
Looking North of Virginia Street
Glenbrook
Cave Rock
Lake Tahoe
Lobby of the Golden Hotel
Mt. Rose School
Reno National Bank Building
Interior of Reno National Bank
Elk's Home
Y. M. C. A.
View of Nevada University Campus
Facsimile of Round Trip Ticket from New York to San Francisco
Renoites as Seen by a Reno Cartoonist
Riverside Hotel, Reno, Nevada
Captain J. P. Donnelly, Former State Police Superintendent
Senator H. Walter Huskey
Governor Emmett D. Boyle of Nevada
Governor's Mansion at Carson City
Frank Golden, Jr.

INTRODUCTORY

The magic little word "Reno" makes a smile creep over the face of
anyone who hears it mentioned, as a rule in recognition of the one
thing for which it is known. I have smiled myself with the rest of the
world in the past; in the future my smile will have a different
meaning.

I have lived in Reno. I have felt the pulse of its secret soul, and
have learned to understand its deeper meaning, and it is therefore
that I am able to uphold my intimate conviction in an attempt to
change the world's opinion of Reno and its laws from ridicule to
admiration. And if my book has any reason for being, it lies in this
attempt.

Those whom fate forces to visit "the big little city on the Truckee
River" will find in this book a great deal of carefully gathered
information for which before my pilgrimage I would have been so
thankful, and with the aid of which so much worry and heartache would
have been saved.

This book is not written with any intention whatsoever to propagate
divorce; I want this clearly and conclusively understood, so that
there can never be any misunderstanding.

To me there are three things sacred above all others: the first is
motherhood; the second marriage; the third is the home.

He or she who promiscuously profanes these sacred things is unworthy
of them and must pay the severest penalty.

My book is meant to be an appeal for happiness and health; an appeal
for peaceful homes, happy and contented husbands, happy wives and
mothers of happy, healthy and well bred children.

After all, unhappy and discontented human beings are unfit physically
and morally to produce the best work and the finest healthiest
children. The children are the forthcoming bearers of the world's
burdens and responsibilities. To them belongs the future, and already
too many social problems of the present age are due to the unhygienic
and illogical mating of the human male and female.

The divorce courts should only be appealed to as a last resort, to
free some tortured soul from a life of misery, caused by humiliation,
shame and hatred, the very essence of all evil. When the sacred state
of matrimony becomes so profaned and degraded that it soils everything
it comes in contact with; when even the minds of our children are
poisoned and distorted by the atmosphere, and the last ray of hope has
vanished, only then the hour has struck to ask the law for justice; to
appeal to the judge for redemption for humanity's sake.

Why have I written my book in parts, and why has each part its
individual interest and charm? Because readers may choose any part or
parts that especially interest them. If they are not interested in the
book for the information it gives, they will always find the short
stories and tales of Reno interesting and amusing.

Part 1. Social and Industrial Life: Is written to acquaint the
intended colonist or visitor with every phase of social and industrial
life. This is very important to know for many reasons. First the law
requires that one go to Reno for some other reason than divorce. So
you may go there for instance to become a student; it is a healthful
and therefore a fine place for study. The well equipped university
gives ample opportunity; and if one is taking one's children, which
often happens, it is well to know about the schools. It is well to
have some other purpose in view when joining the Reno Divorce Colony,
and to carry that purpose into effect. Also if one is not blessed with
over much of the goods of this world, one can earn one's way while
waiting. This part contains much information that is practical,
useful, essential and interesting.

The industries are very important. There are plenty of pleasant
positions to be had; plenty of opportunity for business, as you will
learn by reading this part; also many sorts of amusement, so that no
one need be bored. It is best to keep busy; busy people seldom get
lonely; lonely people often are too much in quest of companionship....
Moral, don't play with fire; and if you do get into trouble don't
blame it on the "altitude." Reno's altitude has been somewhat abused
by colonists in the past; loneliness is much more to blame for the
unhappy state of mind so often experienced out there, and loneliness
is mostly the result of idleness.

Part 2. Reno Tragedies: Consists of a few short tales of people who
have been members of the divorce colony. Whilst the comedy part
describes characters who find life is all froth, who skim its surface,
so to speak, those portrayed in this chapter are people who take
existence seriously; who want to drain the cup of life to its last
dregs! If one listens as one reads one can almost hear the steady
heart throbs.....

These are not exactly blue law stories, but as many great authors have
taken the liberty of depicting things just as they found them in real
life, my humble self has availed itself of the same prerogative. These
tragic little tales of the divorce colony should be dear to you as
they are to me; they are most appealing sketches in life.....

Part 3. Reno Romance: Relates the story of a fair Virginian whose
youthful mistake is righted through the Reno divorce courts. The fair
heroine is reunited with her girlhood sweetheart, and they live
happily ever after; a short story depicting another type of Reno
divorce case.

"Let us begin dear love where we left off, Tie up the broken threads
of that old dream."....

Part 4. Reno Comedies: Has been written to give the reader, whether a
would-be colonist or not, a glimpse of the humorous side of the
occurrences in this much-talked-of little city. Happiness after all is
not a question of the place, because "the city of happiness is in the
state of mind." However, any person, place or thing that has not its
funny side becomes rather dull, to say the least, and likewise the
mind that cannot appreciate the humorous side. This part consists of a
few plain tales from the humorous side of the lives of departed
celebrities of the divorce colony, and should be amusing and
entertaining to any reader. Naturally fictitious names have been used.

Part 5. Reno and Its People: Is meant to give prospective residents or
visitors an insight as to just what kind of place they may expect to
find, and to dispel any fears that the accommodations would not be
comfortable. It will acquaint newcomers with the kind of men and women
one finds oneself associated with in daily life, which to strangers in
a strange land, is most important, I think. Newly arrived colonists,
perhaps lonely and heartsick, will not find it quite so hard to go to
a strange country, if they know in advance that the people are
generous, big hearted and sympathetic; progressive and interested in
all things that stand for the betterment of humanity.

Part 6. Nevada Divorce Laws: Gives the reader any and all information
required to secure a divorce in Nevada; and besides it contains the
opinion of many great thinkers on the question of divorce, coupled
with a plea for universal divorce law. One should find this an
interesting chapter, whether a prospective colonist or not; its
contents, however, are absolutely indispensable for anyone
anticipating divorce in Nevada, and consequently ought to be read most
carefully; more especially so, as for the actual legal advice in this
part, I am greatly indebted to one of Reno's ablest lawyers, Senator
H. Walter Huskey.

Part 7. Sons of the Sagebrush: A few short biographical sketches of
men I met, read about and heard about during my stay in Reno. It is
well to know the kind of men we may come in contact with, both in
business and in a social way; most certainly it is well to know the
type of men we may have to come in contact with in a business way. For
that reason I have written a few little sketches of these men. Among
them are lawyers, judges, mining men, hotel men, politicians and
pioneers. Aside from giving some useful information this part is
interesting for its character studies and its amusing little
incidents.

LILYAN STRATTON. November, 1921.

[Illustration: WASHOE COUNTY COURT HOUSE. RENO NEVADA]

PART 1

SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LIFE

Dull in Reno? Why no; how can one be bored in this delightful "big
little city," when here you will find a concentration of all the most
picturesque phases of life--a conglomeration of gaiety and tragedy,
humor and drama, frivolity and learning! What a fertile field for the
psychologist and sociologist.

It is wonderfully interesting not always to turn to books only, with
their rigid, lifeless rules and laws; books can only convey to us the
things someone else has learned! Those who desire a real understanding
of human nature's handiwork must work and play on human mountains, in
human fields and human swamps.

Being an ardent student of life and character, I have found Reno
highly interesting and amusing, and dear reader, if you will do me the
honor to accompany me through the following pages of this chapter, I
am sure you too will be interested.

First we will visit the restaurants, cafes and hotels which are
teeming with the vigor of life, vibrant and pulsating; and if you know
and understand human relationship, or wish to, then you may overflow
with sympathy, laugh in conviviality, or perhaps weep in the privacy
of your own room for what is and for what might have been....

The fashionable restaurant is not a large pretentious place,
elaborately decorated, but there is something in the atmosphere which
is not tangible but which we yet can sense. Who are all these people?
and if each told his own story, how tremendously interesting it might
be! Unconsciously, you know that the atmosphere is distinctive; that
things are different; so many interesting personalities grouped into
such a small place is something most unusual.

Over in the corner is a New York banker; his strong, handsome face
marked with character lines and crowned with white hair: the stamp of
long years of struggle in the financial world. See, he is smiling
across the table at his companion, and his face is almost boyish as he
chats and laughs. Such a companion! I wonder what fate has sent her to
cheer the desert city; a modern Cleopatra, even more beautiful than
she of Egypt: a radiant beauty, this dark-eyed queen of the Orient;
ruby lips and teeth of matched pearls; hair black as midnight, and
fires smoldering in dreamy eyes as if in pools of mystery... Bored in
Reno? How could one be?

This is only a cafe such as you might visit in any other city. One
might see the same banker and the same Oriental beauty in a New York
cafe. But there they would not be nearly so interesting; for such
people to be in Reno means either a domestic comedy, tragedy or
romance. Each one is a puzzle, and one finds oneself intent upon
divining the mystery embodied in these personalities, as they come and
go like shadows on a screen.

Now the waiter comes: there is something unusual about him also; one
can't help noticing his big, powerful form as he bends over the table
to take the order; he is a New York chauffeur working his way free
from a nagging wife, so that he may marry a popular society belle. You
can forgive her, can't you, for admiring his handsome physique; a
Greek god he is in spite of his Irish brogue and bad ear for
grammar.... But then she probably does not hear much of that, and
won't if he is wise.

That little woman over there with the carmine lips and black eyes, she
is the wife of a Methodist minister and is here for the "cure" of
course, like the rest. She is going to hitch her matrimonial wagon to
a vaudeville "star" by way of a change! "The very day I get my
decree," she told me.

There comes an interesting couple. I think the woman is Moroccan.
Doesn't she look a barbarous relic with those immense rings in her
ears? You feel that there should be one strung through her nose, too.
There is a story abroad that she is the consort of a well known
millionaire of Chicago; after several unsuccessful attempts on her
part at stabbing him, he is giving half his fortune in alimony to get
rid of her. The other night at Ricks' she threw a plate at a man
because for five minutes he paid more attention to her woman friend
than to her.... A dangerous playmate, methinks!

That charming little lady in a symphony of blue, surrounded by a
company of admiring friends, is Mme. Alice, a Broadway opera star; her
story is very interesting indeed. No, I dare not tell; it is
sufficient that you should know that she is a gentle, sweet little
mother, although she looks a mere girl herself. She has a voice of
unusual quality and dramatic sweetness. I have had the pleasure of
hearing her sing at several concerts which she gave for charity. She
is extremely generous in that direction and always draws a packed
house. She got her divorce while I was out there and passed on like
the other shadows on the screen. The last I saw of her was when she
was singing the "Battle Cry of Freedom" in the Hotel Golden lobby, as
her decree had been granted. Her face was just radiantly happy as she
repeated several times: "I am free, I am free."....

At a table, back in the shadows of the palms by the piano, sits
another interesting little lady from gay New York. She is also a
singer of note and the wife of a well known author. She has taken a
mansion on the banks of the Truckee, and brought along her retinue of
servants. Of course she is beautiful, the golden haired, blue eyed
type, with a complexion like tinted rose leaves....

Who is that lone man at the table just opposite? Ah! that bearded
gentleman with light hair, wearing a black tie; an artist-looking sort
of chap? That is a world-famous portrait painter. I had the pleasure
of meeting him and his beautiful bride at Cannes, Southern France,
some years ago. Yes, he does look rather forlorn; there is a pathetic
droop to his mouth. No, he is not here for a divorce; one of the
exceptions.

He arrived a few days ago from Tangiers; it was while there that he
received by registered post his wife's summons in her divorce suit,
and he took the first ship back to America to fight the suit and to
try to win back his beautiful wife, who, by the way, is also a
talented artist. But alas! Cupid is a stubborn little beggar; though
blind as a bat and not very large, yet he has a will of his own, and
won't be driven or led....

Though the man seated over there is apparently very interesting and is
internationally known as a great artist and an exhibitor in the Royal
Academy in London; though he must have loved his wife very much, to
have traveled half way around the world from the northern coast of
Africa to Reno, in order to try and bring about a reconciliation,
still the beautiful wife has gone on with her divorce, which was
finally granted, though bitterly contested!

And so there he sits as though lingering over the grave of a great
love. Bow down, ye Gods, and weep....

The hotels also are filled with interesting types; the pretty girl at
the news-stand today suddenly disappeared! Yes, she got her divorce!
In her place is the homeliest man you have even seen, and all the
traveling men look disgusted and buy their papers from the newsboys in
the street. The hotel stenographer has also taken her departure, and
now we see a dainty blonde in place of the statuesque brunette. The
brunette has gotten her divorce and has gone to San Francisco to marry
a millionaire sportsman, so I hear.

The beautiful lady with the sparkling black eyes, between that little
boy and girl, is a violinist. They have the rooms over mine, and for
several months I have heard the patter of tiny feet and childish free
laughter; but I fear the mother does not laugh so much. I have been
told that she lives in constant fear lest her husband come and take
the children from her. In this case, I am told, there is a chance of
reconciliation. I hope so with all my heart!

The tall, handsome old gentleman speaking to her is a retired civil
engineer; very wealthy I believe. He lived twenty-one years with his
first wife who died; after some time he married again, but after one
year of married life he is here for the "cure." He is an enthusiastic
sportsman, a good horseman and very popular.

The Court House is the next place of interest to study character, to
find interesting personalities and new types. You may go over any day
and watch some poor victim's case being tried. If one is doing time
one self, it is a very good way to obtain inside information, though
it is a bit like being at your own hanging..... not exactly, of
course, but enough to make the anticipation peculiarly gruesome. Each
searching question of the judge seems to draw the noose around the
plaintiff's neck tighter and tighter; you will hold your breath: a
word, and the six months' exile and more are all in vain..... Not
until the final decision, "Judgment for the plaintiff," is pronounced
do you heave a sigh of relief.

[Illustration: ONE OF THE COURT ROOMS IN FAMOUS RENO COURT HOUSE]

Each day the divorce mill grinds the steady grist, and it is there
that one has a splendid opportunity of studying personality and
character. The wife who is nagged and abused; the one who is obliged
to support herself and her children; the one who has outgrown her
charms; the luxurious beauty who has spent her husband's fortune and
is preparing to spend another in the same way; the wife who has made a
mistake and found the right man at the wrong time; the wife whose
husband another woman has taken; the wife of a drunkard or a gambler.
The husband who is nagged; the husband whose wife is a spendthrift;
the husband whose wife wins prizes at bridge and neglects her home;
the husband whose wife has deserted him when he needed her most....

Naturally the stories you hear from the "aspirants" are always
plausible; and so they go by, the endless passing show.

Next we will go to dinner; we will dine at the Hotel Golden tonight;
they have just opened their new restaurant, and the food is excellent;
so is the cabaret. There are two beautiful girls, new arrivals, who
sing very well indeed; one is tall and fair and more than usually
interesting. This beautiful girl sings with wonderful expression; a
sweet tender passion, expressing at the same time a great love and a
world of sympathy .... It is said that out of suffering comes
sympathy, out of pain tenderness....

This girl might well burst into fame on the heart throbs of her songs;
they are the voice of a soul which has suffered much, loved much and
has become all tenderness and all sweetness.

Another interesting type whose story will be told at the Court House
in a few months.

There is a violinist who is exceptional also; he draws the bow over
his violin, and low, sweet strains of music come floating to our ears;
then the music will suddenly change to the wild ecstasy of joy which
will compel you to notice the player. When you look at him, you will
know that his soul is not there; your heartstrings will quiver until
the music stops; then you will suddenly find that you have forgotten
to eat, and that the food is cold.... But you ponder on: you wonder
who that artist-dreamer is; he must have been leading his love through
poppy fields, kissing away from starving lips love's hunger, while he
played.... Yes, he is here for the "cure."

After dinner we will go to the theatre. There are several theatres,
but the large productions usually go to the Majestic, which is modern
in every respect and has seating capacity of more than one thousand.
All the New York productions that make the Pacific Coast Tour play
Reno. All the eminent musicians such as Kreisler, Misha Elman, the
Boston Symphony Orchestra, and others, stop here on their Western
tour, and their concerts are always well attended and tremendously
appreciated.

Tonight we will hear the Boston Symphony....

You are surprised at the large ultra-fashionable audience; there are
as many in evening dress as one would expect to see at a New York
first night; here one can't tell the members of the Divorce Colony
from the residents. They are an aggregation of well dressed,
appreciative people, anxious to enjoy the evening's wonderful music.

Dancing is the next in line of indoor amusements; most of the hotels
and restaurants have splendid floors and excellent dance music. At
Wilsonian Hall there is a beautiful ball room, and those who wish to
learn the latest steps will find an expert teacher in Mrs. Wilson who
takes special trips to New York every season in order to become
acquainted with the very latest dances. Her classes and receptions are
patronized by the best people, both of the Colony and City, and are
very interesting and popular.

Those who take their pleasure in life a little more seriously will
find an excellently equipped public library, thanks to Mr. Carnegie.
There is also a very fine collection of books at the University of
Nevada, which is conveniently located in a very beautiful part of the
city. I should like to pay a passing tribute to the University staff.
They are as fine a set of professors as one could possibly desire to
have. I had an opportunity of attending some of the lectures during
the Summer Course and found them exceedingly interesting and well
delivered.

Of special interest to women would be the Century Club, a well
organized body of the best women in the city. They are interested in
home economics, child welfare and improvement of social conditions
generally. They own their own spacious club house, which has a large
assembly hall, lecture room, banquet hall, service kitchen and large
grounds facing the river, with tennis courts and other conveniences
for entertaining.

There is also a Suffragette Club which is known as the Civic League,
and is also instrumental in promoting public welfare. The Mothers'
Clubs or Associations too, are better developed than those in many a
large city; a fact which rather agreeably surprised me and proves how
decidedly progressive are the women of the West.

And now we will have a look round and visit the out-of-door
attractions, which are many and varied. In summer, there is Belle
Isle, a beautiful little amusement park on the banks of the Truckee,
almost in the center of the city and the scene of many jolly
carnivals. The city park is also a pretty little spot, and here are
given many festivals and concerts for the Red Cross and other
charitable organizations. It is a delightful place to spend a summer
afternoon or evening. The gay music, flying colors and beautifully
tinted light among the branches of the trees are all an inspiration to
free happiness. There too it is delightful to sit when all is quiet,
and watch the moonlight on the snow-capped mountains, while the warm
summer breeze stirs the leaves above and the distant rushing waters of
the Truckee float out to you like fairy laughter on the summer air.

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