Peggy's first husband, the character actor
Theodore von Eltz, fought for custody
of their two children, eight-year-old Lori and six-year-old Ted. Peggy
had quickly married writer
Joseph Moncure March. In the well-publicized court
battle, March's poem "The Wild Party," with its immoral depiction of
drunkenness, sexual hijinks, and murder, was introduced as evidence
that Joe would be an unfit guardian. After a long battle that included
temporary foster homes, Peggy and Joe won and Joe adopted the
children.