Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1866-08-25

4 PROMIN BnT% MAN ADANDONS
HIS FAMILY TO LIVE WITH
HIS CHAMBE RMAlD.

A case of desertion occurred in this
city on Monday evening, which, if it had
happened in q large city, would have fur.
nished the sensation da;lies an opportu.
nifty for a stunning display Of large type,
and long dissertation on tho decadence
of marital virtue. But in our columns a
brief statement of facts will suffice ard
this, TOO, out Of Difference to the feelings
of the deserted family, is all that should
be said in reference to the melancholy
occurrence.
Some ten years ago Leander Davis left
Herkimer county, New York, aud remov.
| cd to Ponca, Nebraska, where he engaged
in farming. In the spring OF 1865, be
came to Sioux City, and took charge of
the Wauregan Hotel. His family con-
sisted of his wife, three childr en-, and his
mother, venerable lady, we'll nigh to 70
years of age. He prospered in business,
and short time after taking possession he
bought aud paid for the house. About
the time the purchase was made a girl
named Ellen O'Neill came to the hotel
in quest Of employment, and was engaged
in the capacity of chambermaid. Aud
here the moral downfall Of Davis COM
meuced. He became euamnred Of this
girl Ellen, and seemed unhappy and mo-
rose when out Of her society. He ne.
elected his business From an active,
energetic business mau and lively, genial
companion, he became careless and iu-
different in the management of his house,
and dul! and reserved in his intercourse
with his friends and guests. He constant
Iy sought tee companionship of the girl!
While in the discharge of her duties as
chambermaid, Davis would follow her
from room to room, perfect slave to the
charms Of the seductive Ellen A m at
ter Of course, criminal in .imacy was the
natural result Of such devotion; and so
persistent we're his attentions, and with
so little regard to concealment, that the
affair soon became the SUI ject Of public
scandal.
Mrs Davis was for long time aware Of
the conduct Of her husband. but instead Of
exposing and denouncing him, she ex-
postu'ated with him, and, in the name OF
her children, begged him TO send the girl
away, promising that she would freely
forgive him, aud endesvor to forget that
he had ever been untrue. But he paid
no heed to her entreaties, and continued,
If possible. more than ever to seek the
society and favors Of Ellen.
Thus matters continued for about eight
months, the stricken wfe-broken in
spirit aud weighed down with grief, yet
silent and patient in the hope that her
husband would reform-living beneath
the same roof with her husbands para
mour. About this time Davis mother
surprised the guilty couple in a position
which aroused her Indignation to point
beyond quiet endurance, and she peremp.
torly ordered the girl to leave the house.
In response to his old mothers entreaties
and sdmonitions, Dav is sulkily declared
that if Ellen was seat away he would go
too. But the old lady's determination to
rid the house of the girl was unyield;ng,
and accordingly on the following uorn-
ing Ellen lef, for Boonesboro. Davis
Immediately opened correspondence
with her, which continued until alb ut the
middle VI May, when he Wen. to Boone
to see her. He remained away about two
weeks, aud upon his return, unolushing-
~ and taantiogly told his wife tina. be
had been to see Ellen !; that he had had
q very pleasant time with her, in taking
drives into the country, &C.; that he loved
her (his wife), but be loved Ellen better,
and that he could never be happy until
be married her. On this visit be doubt
less made up his mind 10 abandon his
family and 20 of with Ellen, as about this
time he commence ed making special de-
posts of all his net profits, and appeared
more interested in and gave closer atten.
ton to bis business than he had for sew
eral months previous.
On Monday last he conveyed 10 bis wife
by warranty deed the title to the Waure-
gan House and furniture, 40 acres Of
land near Niobrarah, Nebraska, ADD his
personal property in Sioux Cty-the
value Of the whole amounting to between
5000 and $4,000. Late in the after.
noon Of the same day, be engaged pas
sage on the stage for Council BIaffs. All
this was done without saying one word
to his family or any one else in regard to
his intentions. A stor. time before the
stage started, he informed his family tha,
! L.