Memorandum AIR MAIL 0 DIRECTOR, SEATTLE DISTRICT ny pare: February 15, 1963 FROM J. Kenneth Kinney, Inspector as Hubbard Dianetics Research Aer if; Foundation SUBJECT: .2093-¥. 1. Ron Hubbard Hubbard E Meter Founding Church of Scientology FDC 48405 Distribution Center, Inc. Ete. Divorce of Margaret G. Hubbard, Port Orchard, Washington DRM/Se Dist. 1/24/63 assignment requested in part an investigation into the divorce by Margaret Grubb Hubbard from L, Ron Hubbard at Port Orchard, Washington, in 1947, The microfilm file was reviewed by Inspector Pierce and myself on 2/14/63 and arrangements made for 1 certified copy of 40 pages, which is attached to this memo. There was no charge for the certified copy of the court records. The Kitsap County Clerk is Margaret C, Smith, 1120 Morton Street., Port Orchard, Washington. Review of the microfilm revealed some details as follows for quick reference and possible follow-up of other aspects of this case in other areas of the country. ‘The divorce case was filed as No. 23323 in che Superior Court of Kitsap County, Washington, on 4/14/47 with Louise G. Hubbard as the plaintiff and - Lafayette Ronald Hubbard as the defendant. Rovald E. Danielson was the Tawyer for the plaintiff. The file shows they were intermarried at Elkton, Maryland on 4/13/33. ‘Two children at the time of filing this case vere: Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, Je., 12 years and Katherine Nay Hubbard, 11 years. ‘They charged the defendant wilfully desertéd and abandoned the plaintiff and minor children in December 1945 and refused support. His address at that time may have been P.O. Box 270, Stroudsburg, Pa. ~ “February 19, 1963 BUREAU OF ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF REGULATORY MANAGEMENT ATTENTION: WILL SWAIN We are enclosing copies of records covering the divorce of L. Ron Hubbard by Margaret G. Hubbard subsequently known as Polly Morton and now Mrs. John T. Ochs of Box 312,Gap, Pennsylvania. These records also include a petition for modification of the divorce decree which charges L. Ron Hubbard among other things with a bigamous second marriage. ARNOLD N. MORTON Acting Director, Seattle DistrictA default decree by stipulation of both parties was filed 6/16/47. The plaintiff received the two children starting on 6/1/47 with $25 for the care and support of each and visitation rights by the defendant and $100 attorney fees plus court cost: The plaintiff retained her properties in Maryland and Washington but the defendant was to retain the Colby, Washington, property. This order was made by the court on 6/23/47. On 8/11/47 there was filed an affidavit for order to show cause why the fees and support should not be paid although the defendant was able to pay. The final decree of divorce was filed on 12/24/47. On 6/11/51 a petition was filed for modification of the decree of divorce, tating: (2) plaintiff employed in 1947, now remarried and has no salary. (2) the defendant was then in modest financial circumstances but has now great wealth acquired as an author and as founder-president of dianetics. (G) cost of Living up. (4) as of June 8, 1951, defendant has paid nothing for the support of said children. ‘The petitioner prayed for an order increasing the amount of childrens support money commensurate with his present financial condition and court costs. It also charged the defendant bigamously married Sara Northrup Hubbard on 8/10/46 at Chestertown, Md., and they lived together as husband and wife until on or about 2/24/51 when they separated in California. They were divorced on her complaint in a decree of the District Court of the * State of Kansas in Sedgwick County, Judge Wm. C. Kandt, presiding, in Cause No. A~36 574 entitled "Sara Northrup Hubbard, plaintiff, vs. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, defendant." The decree was granted on 6/12/51. At that time L, Ron Hubbard lived at 211 West Douglas Avenue, Witehita, Kansas. The file further shows that Polly Morton, formerly Margaret G. Hubbard, did receive some $1600 support money from her former husband in 1951, but the attorney, Mr. Danielson, never did receive his f When we interviewed Mr. Danielson on 2/14/63 he stated he had no additional information on L. Ron Hubbard except for his personal opinion that Mr. Hubbard was a proverbial liar. He stated the last address he had for the former Margaret G. Hubbard, now known as Mrs. John T. Ochs, was Box 312, Gap, Pennsylvania. The last correspondence with her was in December 1961. lll lee Accompanied by: Larry L. Pierce Attachment : 1 certified cy divorce action (40 pages)eye raha UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum (0 TO Director, Philadelphia District DATE: 2/20/63 FROM Inspector W. Remle Grove L, Bon Hubbard Founding Church of Scientology Dianetics Foundation Inc. Sunjecr: Hubbard E Meter | /-— Distribution Center, Inc. 4-093 v_ (K/N\" et al HOC FHOS DRM/P memo 2/4/63 DRU/P meno of 2/4/63, (copy of subject memo attached to this report) requested that Mrs. Margaret Ochs, Gap, Pa., first wife of L. Ron Hubbard, be interviewed and determine what she knows of Scientology and the current addresses of the children (Kathrine and L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) born during this marriage. : : 2/18/63. Arrangements were made to interview Mrs, Margaret Ochs on I arrived at Gap, went to the Ochs home and knocked at the door. The door was opened by a man who identified himself as Mr. John Ochs. I identified myself to Mr. Ochs (pronounced "Oaks") by showing himsy credentials and stating that I had made arrangements to speak with his wife concerning Mr. L, Ron Hubbard. He asked me to step in and introduced me to his wife who was sitting in the living room. Mr, Ochs then stated that ordinarily he would be working at the Lukens Steel plant in Coatsville, Pa.; however, L. Ron Hubbard(had»~’ svorn to "get" his wife and he wanted to be at home when I arrived to make sure.that Hubbard wasn't trying to pull some trick.] I asked Mrs. Ochs if she would tell me about L, Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Mrs. Ochs indicated that she was willing to cooperate a: much as possible and hoped that she didn't sound like a vindictive wife. DIVISION OF REGULATORY MANAGEMENT Interview of Mrs. Margaret (John) Ochs, Gap, Pa. has supplied the current addresses of (Katherine and,L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) LA District. by copy of this memo, 1 being requested to interview(atherinefas per ~ DRM memo of 2/4/63. : Additional leads have been set forth in thie memo which you may want to follow up. FRANCIS af. Enclosure: pamphiet "Scientology Supervisory Inspector WRG/ faz in Phoenix" cc: BFA LA Baltmigeee She gave Hubbard's background as follows: Born at Tilden, Neb. on 3/13/11, attended high school in Helena, Montana, traveled with his parents to Guam, returned to Washington, D. C, and attended Army-Navy Pré School, entered George Washington College, Washington, D. C. (exact date ‘not known but believed to be 1930 or'31) but flunked out during the second® year, Hubbard then had trouble with the Federal authorities it taking some bonded whiskey, (Mrs. Ochs could not supply any names oF : lates.) a ‘= Mrs. Ochs met Hubbard ‘ona blind date in 1932 and was married in “September 1932. . From Sept.'32 until Dec.'41, Hubbard lived in or around the Georgetown area writing fiction stories and selling them to national magazines. Hubbard was in the Navy from 12/41 until 9/45 during which time, he attended a Navy training school at Princeton, had several legal intangle~ ‘ments with the Navy but his father (a Naval officer) managed to keep his son's name clear, He went directly to Secretary Knox and got a Lt. JG comission, career Mrs, Ochs indicated that Hubbard received some type of injury”. during 1945 and was stationed at the Oak Knoll Navy Hospital. All during this conversation, Mrs. Oche repeated that Hubbard was really a genius with a misdirected mind. When Hubbard was discharged, he went to Hollywood to become a script writer; however, his wife would not go and went to stay with Hubbard’ parents in Bremerton, Washington. She apparently did not see Hubbard until she asked for a divorce in 1947. Mrs, Ochs stated that she paid for her own divorce and in the: divorce was granted $25 a month maintenance for each of the two children, (Hubbard. never paid her anything in connection with the: divorce.) Mis. Ochs stated that up,until the time of het divorce she had Sever heard of Sctentology and even'now could not tell me anything about the organization, When Hubbard showed up ‘for the divorce proceedings in Port Orchard, Wash., he had another voman with him that he was supposed to have married during 1946, Mrs, Ochs produced two old newspaper articles which gave an account of the divorce proceedings of the second wife.’ The articles in , , “The Mirror" Los Angeles, Calif. paper dated April 23, 1951 page 12, and the "Los Angeles Times" April 24, 1951 related how Mrs. Sarah Northcup Hubbard, from a Pasadcna family, was kidnapped, had her child (Alexis - Valery - 13 1/2 month old daughter) taken from her by Hubbard and was king for a divorce. €Mrs. Ochs believes that Hubbard's second wife is currently Living in either San Marieno or Santa Maria, Calif..as Mrs. Sarah Hollister.“34 Other articles which Mrs. Och had relating to Hubbard were: "Look Magazirie" Vd. 14, #25 Dec. 5, 1950 > artiéle titled “Dianetics -. Science or Hoax?" a by Albert Q. Maisel s "Newsweek" August 21, 1950, page 85 i article about Hubbard's book called "Dianetics" 3. "Time" Dec, 22, 1952, page 34 i article»about the addition of the E meter to Scientology . Mrs, Ochs gave me a booklet titled "Scientology in Phoenix" which described the organization of Scientology, gives pictures and names of individuals involved in Scientology. (The ‘original booklet and one copy is attached for DRM's information.) ‘At about this point in the interview, Mrs. Ochs stated that Wubbard's father was thoroughiy disgusted with his son and his crazy ideas and would probably be glad to give us any, information that we might want concerning Hubbard's "scraps" with the law, The father's address 4 Lt. Commander H, R, Hubbard (retired) 1212 Gregory Way a é Bremerton, Washington, Se ae screenees ee mailing address is: P. 0. Box 4072 7 Wycoff Station Bremerton, Washington ‘Mrs. Ochs had two children while married to L. Ron Hubbard, a son, L. Ron Hubbard, Jr, nickname of "Nibs", and a,daughter Katherine. When she was divorced from Hubbard, the children went.to live with Lt. Commander Hubbard at Bremerton, Wash. Ls Ron Hubbard, Jx, left + the Port Orchard high school about 1949 or '50 and joined his father in + Phoenix, Arizona. He apparently stayed with the organization until 1960 when he left and moved to California. Mrs. Ochs believes that her son is a security guard with some company unknown'to her. His current address is 6231 Palm Ave., Bell, California, Mrs,.Ochs described her son as a gentle man, very gullible, and + an.easy mark for his quick-talking father Katherine Hubbard married Mr. Rod Whittaker in 1956, They moved to Washington, D, C. and her husband worked with Hubbard for approximately ‘one year but apparently Whittaker and Hubbard didn't get along so Whittaker left “Hubbard and divorced Katherine in 1957, Katherine then worked in the\Washington, D. C. offices during 1957 and '58, until she remarried’ in "58. Her, currenttame and address are: > Mrs. James P. Gillespie 7455 Balvona Ave. : Van Nuys, California.| Katherine is a housewife and has lived in California for approx- imately 4 years, Mrs, Ochs' final statement was that she believed Hubbard is now im England and has been for about 3 years. The last address she had on Hubbard, Si. 'was Dr. L, Ron Hubbard, Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex, Englend. She obtained this from the American Primrose Society booklet (Spring "62) printed at 2406 Bayer ave., Seattle 2, Washington, Inspector's Conclusion Mrs, Margaret (John) Ochs has supplied some background information on L. Ron Hubbard; however, she could not’ supply any yinformation concerning: Scientology. It appears that Hubbard began this organization sometime after "a7. The current address for Katherine (daughter) is: Mrs. James P. Gillespie 7455 Balvona Ave. Van Nuys, California In connection with DRM's request for [interviewing Katherine,|we are requesting LA District by copy of this memo to [interview Katherine] and obtain any additional information concerning Scientology. Gurrentiaddress for L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. is: 6231 Palm Ave. Bell; California Division of Regulatory Management may want LA District to Gollow7 up oniubbard, Jr.J i Copy of a booklet concerning Scientology given to me by Mrs. Ochs is attached to this report. DRM may want LA District to follow up in Phoenix, Arizona, ea Lt. Commander H. R, Hubbard (retired) 1212 Gregory Way, Bremerton, Washington (Seattle District) may be able to supply information on Hubbard's y Rwte Mave W, REMLE GROVE Inspector, Philadelphia District