Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-27
Grim. Con. md Divorce Cases-Ths Record
sf n Week

We have been compelled, in the discharge Of
our duty a. faithful chroniclers OF passing events
TO give up large portion Of our space to the evil
dence In three cases Of conjugal inadelity In ali
Of which the circumstances are somewhat singu-
lar, and In one altogether unparalleled. In two
instances suit Is brought by the injured husband
for divorce on the ground Of criminality. The
third case was an actioa for Grim. con and the
evidence gave a sing sular view OF life in the
middle stratum Of New York society. This was
tine case of member Of the Brown family, who
sued one Davidson, described as a portly, middle
aged person, and demanded twenty a We thousand
dollars damages for Mrs Browns virtue, which,
1t was alleged, Davidson had taken away. 1t ap-
peared In evidence that Brown, few months
after marriage, had permitted his wife to 90 her
ways that he had neither cherished nor supported
her that she had emlgrated from the classic
shades OF the modern Athens to the wicked city
OF New York. where she met Davidson, who was
represented by Browns counsel a roaring lion
going about seeking maids and matrons whom
he mi ght devour, and that Davidson seduced Mrs
Brown (who lived here as spi hster, and az such
was rianced to signing swain Of the name OF
McChfisty) from the paths Of virtue. Brown, 1t
appears, was terribly shocked at this state Of
things, and only found out his wfe's actual value
when he ascertained the condition Of Davidson's
bank account. Then Brown went into court and
asked for twenty-five thousand dollars worth Of
balm Tor his crushed and bleeding heart But
Browns witnesses proved too much. They gave
the jury TO understand that Brown 8 wife before
she met the portlY Lothario Dayidion was not
like CasaI's wife, and the Jury made deduction
oftwenty-four thousand nine hundred and ninety
nine dollars and ninety four cents In Downs
claim: So Brown has come to grief and a cruel
bill of costs. ...
There are good many portly gentlemen like
Davidson, pretty women like Mrs Brown, and
husbands OF an unconventional turn Of mind like
Brown, but they very rarely entertain the public
by bringing their troubles into court.
The other cases referred to above are suits for
divorce. The most interesting 10 that Of Mrs.
Burch; the most singlar that Of Mrs. Beardsiey.
The latter cause 10 now being tried at Brooklyn
nAar AalA Ef.r anAn r,l,fKN
that his wife has been guilty Of adultery with one
Mahan, son Of the Emerald Isle and disciple
Of HiPprocates. The complaint sets forth that
Mrs. Beardsley met Mahan at Broadway saloon;
that she encouraged his advances; that she repre-
sented herself as single woman and as the
daughter OF Admiral Seymour; that Mahan, being
taken in by this gay delusion, was married to his
charmer by Catholic priest, the banns being dis
pensed with through the kindness Of right rev.
| erened Prelate. The defense Is divided into two
parts first, that Mrs. Beardsley 10 not the person
plainant, Beardsey, has been guilty Of adultery,
and therefore cannot ask for divorce on that
| gfound.
| This case Is very remarkable one, and is con-
Quoted by those eminently refined and courteous
gentlemen OF the long robe, Messrs. Chauncey
Shafer and Richard Bustsed, with characteristic
suavity and politeness. Already several indict
been Threatened. Mahan, the chief witness fol-
/ the complainant, had ten hours Job Of Il on
Friday, and the counsel badgered him In the mos
and we do not purpose to discuss it, demerin
/ PSina faeis 10 looks excessively odd. -
The Burch case has been so notori Qua that every
\ body must be pretty well acquainted with both
| sides Of the pitfuI story. The romance open,
| with Burch-the now wealthy banker-as a pool
man. He marries the niece and protege Of a rail.
| way king, removes 10 the West, amasses wealth
| keeps the best house, gives the best dinners and
makes the longest prayers Of any man In Chicago
His wife IL leader In the bsax nloads one Of thos.
sweet, docile, affectionate, quiet retiring womeg
Of whom no one could suspect wickedness. Al
/ al once, however, there Is a revelation In th,
Burch family. The pious money changer put
| away bis wife, and accompanies the act with q
many exhi billions Of petty meanness az to turn tn,
tide Of sympathy In her favor. Ia due time N r
Burchs action for divorce comes on, aud the slit
Of the Illinois bar meet at small town upon th
psairies for contest In which professional cour
tssies Will be dispensed with !" The evidence 1
teiegraphed In full all over the country, and w
presume that everybody, including the parsons