Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-11-30
EVENING STAR.
Painful Divorce Case-Curious Reyela.
tions In Social Life.

In 1853, Peter K. Strong, a wealthy and high
ly respectable gentleman of New York city,
Austin Stevens, president Of the Bank Of Com
meree, father Of q family well-known for its
wealth and position. having daughters we'll
snown Tor their beauty ana attracaysness
been married, but who was now a widower,
and who came 10 Live with his newly married
brother. Edward was religious man, Sun
day school teacher, and apparently a most
worthy member of society. But as 1t is now
alleged, he fell in love with his brothers wife.
succeeded In tempting her from the path Of
slant practice of incest with her. The crime
began IN the spring Of 1860, during all which
time this fair religious exterior was worn, and
she went daily TO the commission OF her crime,
protected by panoply manifold, that none
could say why she committed IT, Even during
this time she bore her dead Edith, her daugh-
ter, in her arms. Yet, with all these safe
guards, from the spring Of 1860 TO the holidays
of lS6l, the crime was repeated again and
Edward to the army. Her husband had always
been kind and devoted, and none could find
fault with him. But a gradual estrangement
began to grow up between them. Edward re-
turned from the war at the Christmas holiday,
and staid a week, and the crime was renewed,
ending only when the opportunity ceased.
Then il pleased God that the crime should be
discovered. She found herself with child, and
must have known that its father was one W no
stood to her in a relation that it would make
the world shudder to know. Then these three
tIOn and experimentation departure of Edward,
the death of her little daughter Edith, and the
premonitions of maternity under such circum-
stances. Edith died Jan. 2, 1861. She was
% buried on the 4th, and on the evening Of the
next day the child Mary read a chapter in the
Bible TO her father and mother, and il contained
some reference to the duty Of affection and
Kindness to our llow.creatures. After the
children had left the room, the father drew
his chair close TO his wife, and took her hand
and said al trust the words which we have
heard may teach us both to cultivate more
fully than we have done of late that duty which
alone can ensure our future happiness" The
wife seemed strongly agitated, and, rising from
her chair, she flung herself at his feet and i'm
pIored him TO forgive her own indifference.
He told her he was not disposed to Judge
harshly, and he would forgive all. Her agita-
ton seemed TO increase, and she cried, For
give me, forgive me You cannot conceive
how guilty have been. If tell YOU all, we
must part forever" And then, to the unutter-
able horror of her husband the wretched wife
confessed her crime, overwhelming him with
shame, aversion, pity and compassion. He
ceased from that moment TO live with her as
his wife, although they occupied the same
house This wretched life was endured for
some time, until 1T became unbearable, when
the wife was sent back to her family, and q
suit for divorce commenced, which is now
pending before the Superior Court, whereby
these facts have become public.