The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-11-14
From The 81. Louis Democrat
THE GREAT CASE Of BURCH vs.
BCRCH.

1
The circumstances resulting in the Chi
cago divorce suit of Burch IS Burch, have
already been published throughout tn
country. The dispositions on the side o
the defense, which authorized Commission
ers are now taking in ST. Louis, Cincinna
ii, and New York, are exciting increased
interest in the affair Mrs. Burch, it vii
be remembered, is the daughter of the III
fuential and somewhat celebrated Erastu
Corning, ESQ.,. of New York. Her hus
band, Isaac IL. Burch, rich banker il
Chicago. has won an unusually high anc
unquestioned reputation as an exemplary
citizen and christian gentleman. His fam
lily resided in a pala.ial mansion on Michi
gan avenue in that city The allegation i
that Mrs. B. was detected in life Of syste
matte violation of the most essential partc
ular Of her marriage VOW. The facts are
that she made what purported to be fu
confession, declaring it had been extorted
from her by intimidation. In resisting the
suit brought by her husband, the success d
which would consign her to infamy, he.
father employed eminently able counsel
who are sparing DO pains and no expense
in her cause They find it Indispensable
to blacken the reputation Of Mr.. Bureh
Whether the gentleman deserves the
blackeping or not, We do not know We
have only our opiniou-tbc reader can
judge as we'll as We.
In the enterprise Of furnishing the re-
quisite testimony against Bureh, the well
known Chicago detective Bradley, and 9th
ers, have for some weeks been busly EN-.
ployed in St. Louis Bradley will be re.
membered as having conspicuously ap.
peared in the alleged detection of the agent
Of the ST. Louis Chamber of Commerce,
Mr.. Bissell, in an attempt to burn down
the Rock Island bridge The qualities ex-
hibited by Bradley in that transaction may
have obtained for him his present commits
SION.
The counsel of Mr. Burch will, of course
claim that the evidence thus procured has
been manufactured to order; that the wit.
nesses have been carefully selected in view
of their history, knowledge of localities,
ability, pliancy. &c, have been elaborately
instructed in their respective parts, and are
to be literally paid for perjury The de-
position Of only one witness. Ellen c. Clark,
has as yet been taken. Some fifty iuterro-
gatives, Of comprehensive and exhaustive
nature, were put to her, all of which, to-
gether with her answers. had to be written
out in detail At a single point only does
her testimony reflect upon Mr.. Burch, the
remainder being such narrative Of her
personal history as may be effectively used
to discredit her in that point We are In
formed that there is proof TO the purpor;
that during her recent visit to Chicago in
connection with the suit, she was disguised
as a nun, and with a cloak over this dis.
guise, visited Mr.. Burch's house ostensb!y
to ask aims, but really to see him-having
never seen him before-that she might be
able to identify him in court. Also, that
he. declining to give aims without further
information respecting her. and perceiving
that she carefully held her cloak around
her, drew aside the garment, preceived the
nuns dress. and then sent her to the Cath
olic bishop-upOn whom, however, she did
not call.
This witness for some eighteen months
kept the low brothrel and dance house, j
resort for thieves and buffers" called
Compromise Saloon. on Green street She
has also presided at number of establish
ments scarcely less vicious, in this city and
Chicago. The following is compend OF
her statement:
know Mr.. Burch, one of the partners
to this suit, and have known him since
June, 1857 lived in Chicago, IL. ; went
there about seven years ago; now live at
No. 1O7 Morgan street, in this city have
lived here since Sth of October last in
Chicago l lived on the west side of Jeffcr.
son street. between Harrison ard Polk
streets, opposite Cedar street lived there
between March and November, 1857; the
house was brown cottage. with four rooms
and closets, and had dress making sigr
on it; l rented it from Heath Il Hurd
paint and oil dealers saw Burch come t
| tuoI uOuSc UcGWCcu luOSc IHOltIS eau TtC
ollect how many times he visited me lille
itly there when he first came he inquired
for dress making; told him was no
in the habit Of fitting gentlemen; he thel
said he wished me TO 60 to his house to fit
dress; told him could not leave home
he said some friend Of mine had shown hin
the place that day; that he wished quie
place to 60 to, and that l had been recon
mended as place to suit him; he pro
fessed to be suited in coming there h
stayed away some time, and when he re
turned. L said, ' thought Of going to tn
bank to see you;'' he said not to come un
less brought note, sealed, and handed
to him don't remember any other conver
sation particularly. and don't know of othe
matters.
My name is Ellen c. Clark; fathers
VIM. Meyers; am 40 years old the 25t
Of this month was born in New Yor
State ; my mother is living there; thin
she is SO years old; am single; my fir:
husband was named Aaron W. Bennett.
was married the last day of May after
was IA years old. by Elder John Smith