The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-07
The Burch Case-Gossip.
rrespondence of the Herald.

From the Correspondence of the Herald.
Mrs. Burch and Mr.. Corning are both
located at the residence of MIR. Skinner,
who, although not so spoken of by prejudiced
Chicago journals, is, in fact, one of the
leading men in the town, and one of the
wealthiest and most reputable in this Sec
ton of the country. Without having
previously known Mrs. Burch, but satisfied
of her innocence from the representations
of her lady friends, Mrs. Skinner profered
her Inequalities, which were most CRATE
fully accepted. Mrs. Burch is a petite
woman, weighing scarcely ninety pounds /;
is about two and thirty years old, and is
said to be not very prepossessing in her
appearance, but to possess a grace, sweet
ness, and rare gentleness of manner, the
result of most affectiomate and loving
disposition, which endear her to all who
know her. Mrs. Skinner pretends to some
knowledge of physiognomy, and immedi-
ately upon seeing Mrs. Burch she declared
that she could not have been guilty-that
she was a wronged woman. How irre~
pressibly grateful such q reception from q
strange lady must have been to Mrs. Burch
can be readily imagined. During the after
noon of yesterday, some of the most promi-
nent citizens of the place called to see Mrs.
Burch, and many have offered their houses
for the occupation of Mr.. Corning and his
friends. Mrs. Burch seems altogether
crushed by the weight of this terrible
affection, and she declares that if it were
not for her children she would rather die
than proceed further. In spite of the certi6-
cate which he induced Mrs. Burch to sign,
Mr.. Burch insists that the youngest child is
not his, and upon this ground will not allow
Mrs. Burch to see it, although the reason
does not seem to me to be sufficient to sus-
tain the act. Of course rumor is busy, and
rumor must be taken cum grano sails. But
rumor says that Mr.. Burch, during the late
campaign, invited Hon. Mr.. Evarts, Of
New York, to dine with him, and at the
table, in company with Rev. Mr.. Patterson,
the minister of the church to which be be-
longs, discussed the question of bis wife's
infdelity and the legitimacy of his child
very much, of course, to Mr.. Evar2' sur
prise. .. -..a. ..-
But Mr.. Evarts is not the only New
Yorker who is made to figure in this case.
Erastus Corning, Esq, as is we'll known,
sustains the defence of his neice, Mrs. Burch.
Mrs. Burch's maiden name was Turner, and
Mrs. Turner, of Albany, is now staying here
with her. Mr.. Corning is only most dis
family related to Mrs Burch. She is bis
wife's sisters child. That he should leave bis
pressing business, and should devote all his
time and money to her defence, ELECTS gene
raj admiration, even from those who believe
Mrs. Burch guilty of adultery. In fact, Mr..
Corning has never deserted his neice since
her marriage, aud it is said in authentic
circles that he made for Mr.. Burch his large
fortune. 1t appears that upon Mr.. Burch's
marriage an arrangement was made by
which Mr.. Corning and bis partner, Gilbert
Davidson, Esq., agreed to receive any
moneys which Mr.. Burch might deposit with
them; to cash his drafts on sight, and to pay
six per cent. interest for the money. His
connection with Mr.. Corning enabled him
| to obtain unlimited credit. Great amounts
| of money were. deposited with him, and he
deposited these with Messrs. Corning and
Gilbert. As he paid no interest, received
six per cent, and could cash his drafts on
sight, it is not much wonder that be became
rich. A proposition from Mr.. Davidson to
change this mode of business, as it was only
done for Mrs. Burch's sake, and as they were
now rich enough to get along without it
caused the first trouble, it is aaid, between
Mr.. and Mrs. Burch, and this is the pecu.
mary transaction to which she refers in bel
answer to the application for divorce
During the crisis large amounts Of money
were advanced by Mr.. Corning to MI
Burch, and it is ridiculous instance of thu
close, business habits of the latter that, wher
overwhelmed with domestic Affections, ht
met Mr.. Corning at Suspension Bridge
| and took occasion to refer to the sum of two
dollars and fifty cents which bad beer
charged against him for telegraphic des.
patch, as one of the causes of his complains
/ against MIR. Corning, and wished it settled
| With the best intentions, Mr.. Burch tool
the funniest possible ways of expressing tina