Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-22
A Most Outrageous Case of Seduction and
Adnlfarr


Between III and IL o'clock on Saturday night
Mr. Nicholas Walton, of the firm Of Walton &
HolcOmb, carpenters and jOiners appeared ut
the police station, in state of great excitement
and demanded the assistance of Captain Byrne
and Sergeant O'Neil in placing under arrest
his wife, Elizabeth Walton, and his partner.
Albert b. HOlcOmb. He made a statement of
facts the most revolving in character, which
skocked even the officers, acquainted Us they are
by their position, with every species of vice
Mr.. w alton stated that during the day of
Saturday he discovered, by consulting physi-
clan, that he was the victim of a frightful all
ment. and on returning home, at the corner of
Montgomery and Tenth streets confronted his
wife, and accused her of infidelity She at
length confessed thatfOr some time past she had
received improper advances from her hus sband's
partner, who boarded in the same house and
had yielded to his unlawful solicitations AT
Mr.. VS. request, she gave him paper. Of
which the following is copy:
This Is to certify that A. b. HOlcomb, the
partner of my husband, has had unlawful con.
neetion with me within the last three months.
"ELIZABETH WALTON
Witness: Frederick Walton"
The injured husband showed this document
to the officers, and i'm doing SO exhibited the
greatest grief asserting that his happiness hal
been destroyed for life and that his two Young
children were forever dishOnOred lie ex.
pressed considerable compassion for his wife.
but spoke of the conduct OF the seducer i'm terms
OF merlted severity, saying that il was only the
fear Of offending his God that kept him from
shooting HolcOmb down like a dog
Mr.. Walton announced a carriage and Can
tain Byrne and Sergeant O'Neif, who were
much affected by the narrative they had heard
at once proceeded Ia the corner OF Montgomery
and Tenth streets. They found Holcomb in bed
in his room, called him up and explained their
business. The cnlprit received the news of his
discovery with great astonishment, trembling
like an aspen. Mrs Walton was also yery much
frightened at the appearance of the officers
The two were taken to the upper station house
and placed in separate cells. where they re-
mained till morning, when they were removed
10 the calabOose. On the way TO the latter
place, HOlcomb acknowledged his guilt to offi-
cer Davis who had him in charge
Mrs. W alton is twenty three wears of spe
one year the junior of her husband Holcomb
is upwards Of forty Walton is a membe in
good standing of one Of the Christian denomi-
nations. AT the lock up he treated his unfaith-
ful wife with marked kindness and affection.
agreed to furnish her medicine, and in other
ways exhibited how 10th he was to take the step
he was pursuing.
Such, indeed, was the depth Of Walton's love
for his wife, Notwithstanding the degradation
into which she had plunged herself that yes
terday he called to see the Chief of Police
withdrew the charge against the accused par
ties, and, by his representations procured their
release. Some think that the discharge Of Hol-
comb and Mrs. Walton was a step which ought
not to hsye been taken, as the case had gone
out Of the hands Of the police, and was in the
possession of the State of Missouri; but with
this We have nothing to do We can hardly
conceive punishment too severe for Holcomb-
for We regard his conduct, if the facts are cor
rectly stated by Walton, as worse than that of
a brute, aside from the outrageous betrayal of
confidence which it shows.-Mo Republican.