Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-16
THE GREAT CHICAGO SCANDAL.


We have thus far avoided reference in our columns to
most painful affair brought to light in this city some
weeks since affecting parties who have occupied fore
most position in society, with which since that time
rumor has been busy and found full occupation for her
thousand tongues in magniying and multiplying details
and PARTICULARS without number and quite numerousy
without foundation. Through all however, has remained
the sad fact as a basis of this scandal that prominent
banker of this city had banhed his wife and the mother
of his children from his home the charge OF ndelty
10 the marriage vow. her alleged partner in guilt being
well-known member OF the Chicago bar.
We took position Of silence in this matter because
we were unwilling add to the poignancy OF the shame
that oppressed the friends of these parties either by
giving currency TO the stories ahoat or by pressing i'm
petnently upon the of reliable information for
the real facts. The public could wait, and we could
wait until as forcseeu, this sad affair should assume
position among public records placed there by the act
of one of the principals whence we now take it, sadly
aud reluctantly as lifting veil that has shrOuded an in
stance of domestic life among Us, and which seemed to
lack no accessory that wealth could purchase to insure
the happiness OF home We transfer it thus recorded to
our columns as one of the lessons in our socale which
if they are terrible also sautary and full of warning
bill has been filed in the Circuit Court Of this cOun-
w. on the chaucery side thereof dated and filed Jdnu
airy IS 1860 in which the orator Isaac H. Burch, prays
for a divorce from his wife, Mary W. Burch. The bill
sets forth that the married TO the party thus
made respondent at Albany New York, the 25th of
May 1915 since which time they have resided together
IN this city. That during the marriage TWO chldren
have been the fruit Of this union, Mary W. Burch,
aged ten years and ten months, and Harriet Corning
Burch, aged one year and eight months.
The orator charges that his wife, Mary w. Burch, has
committed Gduery with one David Stuart first about the
month of October, 1857 and since then, but at what
times the orator is unable specify Adultery is also
charged 10 have been committed within the period named
with other persons whose names unknown TO the
orator" The bin is drawn by the Attorneys of Mr.
Burch MeSsrs. II. L. Lewis and H. g. Lewis whosesig
natures with his own are affixed.
Ii is proper that Mrs Burch signed in noaria
presence from which the above bill is drawn
The revelation falls like thunderbot upon the circle in
which she had moved Ii can scarcely be said that it
affects materially the reputation Of her alleged partner
in guilt whose family, however, not should be-
denied the full need Of sympathy, innocent sufferers
1t has become sufficiently well authenticated that Mrs
Burch now retracts her statement which she
extored from her. aud that the defence will attempt to
drive the petitioner 10 furnish evidence outside that
called confession, il any such evidence exists.
Il is understood that the respondent, whQ now with
wealthy and influential friends in the State OF New York.
will resist the application and G. Beckwith ESQ., her at
torney is preparing her to the From pre-
ent appearances will be vigorously contested and like
all similar trials where the honor and purity of house
holds are involved the town will be gutted to the full
with the details the hearing, which will come on du
ring the approaching February term.