Bigamy and the Flim Flam Man

In 1920, women didn't enjoy the freedoms that we do now. They had some legal freedoms, but not true freedom. Society and cultural expectations kept women pretty much tied down in many ways. When Granddad Wood died, his property all passed to Grandmother. There was no legal question of that at all. However, at that time, when a woman's husband died, it was expected that she would marry again. That way, she would have someone to manage her affairs and provide safety and security for herself and her children. Grandmother was smart and hardworking, but she had four children and a farm to run by herself. Her children ranged in age from 12 to 3 and the oldest, Jewel, was a girl.

Ray, L.D., Harrel & Jewel Wood

Grandmother no doubt felt overwhelmed by grief at losing her husband and worry about caring for and raising her children alone. One day a handsome man came to the Carlisle area. He was a traveling salesman, but decided he liked the area and might stay a while. Mostly, I think, he knew about or met Grandmother in her newly widowed state and saw an opportunity. After all, she did own a substantial amount of land and have money. (The Wood farm was the entire section between what is now 19th and 34th streets, Iola and Milwaukee Avenues.) I can't recall the man's full name or even if it was ever told to me. It seems like his last name was Todd, so we'll go with that for now (Ok, I spoke with my sister Judy and she remembers his last name was Ternell. She never heard a first name either.) Mr. Ternell began courting Grandmother in earnest. About six weeks after Granddad Wood died, Grandmother married Mr. Ternell. Grandmother thought she had solved her problems, had help, and fancied herself in love with Mr. Ternell and that he was in love with her. Daddy said it was obvious, even to himself at six years old, that Ternell was a flim-flam man. Blonde, blue eyed, and dressing like a dandy, he was quite a charmer, but Daddy didn't trust him and told Grandmother so. Grandmother didn't listen to her six year old son. She thought Daddy was simply upset about her remarrying and replacing his much loved father. She should have listened to her six year old!

Soon after the marriage, Mr. Ternell began spending Grandmother's money and even wanted to sell some of her land. He reasoned that he wasn't a farmer, so it would be better to sell the land and move into town. I think Grandmother must have had some doubts about her new husband after this, but did nothing. She didn't sell any of her land either, though. Mr. Ternell was often gone for periods of time on sales trips so life returned to a fairly normal way for Grandmother and her kids.

One afternoon someone knocked on the door and when Grandmother answered, there was a woman and children on the porch. "I'm looking for my husband! I know he's here!"  Mr. Ternell was married and had three children! The other family lived in East Texas. His real wife decided something odd was going on and came to find him. Apparently this was not the first time Mr. Ternell had played with bigamy. It was, however, the last time he did. Grandmother had him arrested and annuled the marriage. Needless to say, this embarrassing story was kept pretty quiet within the family. Daddy always seemed to enjoy telling it. Perhaps because his six year old self saw right through the flim-flam man?

Ray & L.D. Wood playing in their dress clothes.

Daddy is on the right.