Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-21
Scandal I'm st. Louisa Case of Breach of
Promise.

From the st. Louis Democrat, of April 9th I
tBREAcH OF PRoMIsE.-Mrs Mary J. Shultz.
OF this city, commenced suit in the Circuit Court
yesterday, for $50, go damages against Alexander
Nj Mitchell, Of ST. Joseph, for breach of promise
OF marriage 1t appears from the petition of
pIalntln, that she was engaged to defendant and
that the marriage was TO have taken place at the
Second Presbyterian Church on last Monday even
ing, April 9th, but that defendant refused to fulfil
his engagement, although every preparation had
been made, and the guests invited. Defendant is
now In the city, stopping at the Planters House,
and Is said to have an income Of SlOO 900 per an
num.-I"tsHigsresr, Tuesday.
And thereby hangs n tale,'' the upshot of
which is that the plaintiff has not only suffered
breach of promise, but has been wofully deceived
in other respects by this same Alexander nj
Mitchell. The story goes that the courtship last
ed but about fifteen days. The plaintiff is a
widow lady OF good appearance, winning man.
neTs and an income of aoout twelve hundred dol
lars. Her home is in Weston. Her style is ia
miliar to the bOarders at Barnum's hotel, and her
acquaintances are ranked with the most s'exclu-
sive'' of the city. Alexander NJ. Mitchell is
originally from Ohio. lie departed that State to
fight the Mexicans, and having returned like an
other troubadour from the wars, covered with
glory and blood, he was duly presented with Il
huge broad swOid, beautifully engraved, and in
laid with silver and gold of course in token of
his gallantry and heroism. His peregrnations
for years afterwards We are not advised of. but
learn from his own representations that he is now
a resident of ST. Joseph, in this State, and l.,
largely interested in several extensive tracts of
lana, ana mas an annual income OF 80 900 whic N
he desires the assistance Of wife to help him
disbuIse. he Is reported tall, has a striking
countenance. cultivates the crinferous tendencies
OF his face, wears merchant tailor clothes carries
himself high, Ia miltairc, and takes like book
lie came to the city more than a fortnight ago,
and having by SOME means met the widow, con-
cluded to - 90 in. The effort required some eX
traneous assistance, and by his own confession he
had occasion, time and again. to take ''sperits -
lie pressed his suit with ardor, and in a very few
days was the accepted man. The engagement
was not suffered to cool. The day was fixed (ast
Monday,) the pastor, DIR. Rice, was engaged to
perform the nuptials in his church. The lady
made hurried but most expensive preparations
The runor goes that her linen alone cost about
twelve hund ed dollars, and that great many of
her articles of dress were duly marked with the
surname OF her intended husband. Jewelry had
been purchased by the Col. to tile value of 81 OOu
and presented To the widow, who, to hold Ii Sc
cure, locked ii up in the safe at Barnum's. The
report is, that the diamonds of this same iewelry
were not from Golconda but z ON Pittsburgh
Invitation ca.ds, of beautiful design and costly
materials were distributed around among the aris-
tocracy. AnticipatOn5 were high. Monday night
came and no wedding. ReasOn-absence of the
bridegroom. Where was he a. Echo answered.
had hZzled and was about taking passage for St
Joseph on board the Morning star He an
preached the clerk of the boat and demanded a
berth in the gentlemen's cabin. The clerk, who
was sup to snuff,'i desired to know il he was
not going to take his wife up. Said he had no
wife, and didn't intend having any. Clerk COM
municated around. The story began to fy, and
finally reached the widows ears. She sent for
him; he wouldn't 60, but finally consented to an
Interview. What transpired is not precisely as
certained, but he Afterwards said he told her he
was drunk when he promised 10 marry her. She
appealed TO him, but he was obdurate. She sued,
aS the above paragraph explains. He was duly
served with notice, but nevertheless, departed on
his way homeward, leaving promise that if
after a six months consideration he should be in
the mind he would come down and marry. This
Is plain, unyarnished statement Of the scandal
which has h9en nynU the in ri tO fhs.
matter. There are a great many incidental re-
ports which we have not had time nor space to
relate. The sympathies of our citizens are quite
fully enlisted for the widow