Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-13
Extraordinary Affair in an English Free

Extraordinary Affair In an English Free
Love AssOcintiOn-A Clerical Husband
Seeks in Vain to Obtain His Wife from
"An Abode of Love'-Curious History.
For some time peace has rested on the
Agapemone, a free-love association in Eng
land, and the world has heard nothing of
what passed within its walls; but recently
some strange doings, detailed in the Bridge
water papers, have drawn aside again the
vail, and exposed to the public gaze some few
of its mysteries:
About six years ago, Lewis Price, clergy
man and Welshman, joined the Princeites.
Since then he has married one of three Miss
Nottidges, who are said to have taken with
them to the Agapemone $4,000 each, the
whole of which money was secured to the
Lord. Another Miss Nottidge was married
to an inmate and a third died lately under
distressing circumstances.
The brother of the deceased lady has taken
legal proceedings against Mr.. Prince the
head of the establishment for the recovery
of the $4,000 his sister possessed, and the
case will, we understand, come before the
Judges next term. Mr.. Price appears at one
time to have been a Jealous advocate of the
creed of his adoption, and was one of those
who attended the noisy meeting held in
Bridgewater to persuade the good folk of
this town that Mr.. Prince was u Heaven
sent prophet and redeemer. About three
months ago, however, Mr.. Price, having been
deprived Of his wife for six weeks or there
about, got tired of his lords assumptions,
and left the loving abode, vainly endeavoring
to take his lady with him.
With the late Mr.. Waterman, of Castle
House, Enmore, he resided for short time,
and has also been staying at the Lamb Inn,
Spaxton, adjoining the Agapemone, devoting
his time and energies to procure the release
of his wife from the tender guardianship of
his aforetime affectionate brethren. Various
have been the plans and contrivances to at
tain this end; but they have hitherto proved
unavailing. Application was made to the
police to remove Mrs. Price by force, her hus-
band alleging that he had reason to believe
that she was detained against her will OF
course, the constables had no power to in
trude themselves among the happy family
and tear away one of its members, SO another
plan had to be devised.
1t was arranged that when the lady was
walking on the terrace, in the rear of the
dwelling of the Princeites, Mr. Price should
jump the barriers dividing the grounds from
a neighboring field, seize his partner, and
trust to the protection of the policemen in
waiting to prevent breach of the peace from
the gentlemen of the. Agapemone assaulting
nm tehu iVoOuilB hcl' HIS 6Cuene, leaSlDl0 as
1t looked, turned out to be difficutof execution
The doughty Welshman patiently waited
for favorable opportunity to display his
courage, but whenever his lady made her ap-
pearance in the gardens and on the terrace
she was guarded by a Prncete on either side
or was accompanied by one only with Others
| at hand. The gallant liberation was not at
tempted, proceeding no further than project
and recourse was consequently had to law.
Mrs. Price was at last summoned to appear
before Court, and having done so, the lady
deposed that she was not detained in the
"Abode of Love- in defiance of her inclina-
tion, and that she was desirous of remaining
in the blissful edifice. This reply defeated
the aim of the husband, the Judge at once de-
clining to make an order for the restoration
Of the lady to her liege lord. Further pro.
ceedings are to be taken, for we hear that
there is question of money to be contested
besides question of wife possession, Mr.
Price being shut out from the enjoyment OF
any portion of his wife's 10000, rs well as
from the fortune he may have owned him.
self prior to throwing himself into the arms
and power of Mr.. Prince.
1t is stated that all the inmates of the
Agapemone transfer their property to theil
chief, and sign deed by which they agree tC
forfeit all on discontinuing to reside at the
| place, and separating themselves from the as.
| sociation. BY the same deed provision il
| made that members absenting themselves
| three months shall be excluded. The people
of the village of Spaxton allege that seven.
! teen or eighteen Agapemonites have quilted
the place within twelve months; and they
| say for seven or eight years no children have
been born to the many couples living in the
mysterious establishment