On February 23, 1921, Celia filed for a divorce from Harry on the grounds of cruelty. Her petition stated:
"That the defendant has been guilty of extreme cruelty toward the plaintiff on numerous occasions and at numerous times: that defendant was constantly quarreling with the plaintiff; that defendant made frequent threats to beat and strike the plaintiff, and on such occasions would draw back his fist in a threatening manner; that frequently during the quarrels and at numerous times he would apply vile and abusive epithets toward the plaintiff; that he was constantly jawing at and provoking the plaintiff; that on numerous occasions he would tell the plaintiff to leave their home, and that on or about the 20th day of August 1920, he ordered the plaintiff to leave their home, and she left her home and came to the home of her parents in Omaha, Nebraska."