The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-07-01

A BROOKLYN ACTON IN GRIM. CON- CAsE-THR
MISFORTUNE or HAVING STRAY HOTEL BILLS II
ONES TRUNK-CAsB IN THE coURTs-REPoRr or
A REFEREE-DIyoRCB GRANTED, ETC.
A OF theatrical scandal and Grim. has Just
been disclosed in Brooklyn not through the law cours
bit from the report OF referee The principal parsonage
is actor named William Meeker, person known 70
some extent the stage Of the Park theatre.
It appears that he has been playing a part
with interesting young lady, actress, which ID
calculated TO bring disgrace upon himself, wife and
family According to the testimony before VIM c. De-
Witt Esq., the referee appointed by the Supreme Court
IL appears That Mr.. Meekcr ret rned to his homo 10
Brooklyn short time since from professional tour.
His daughter, having occasion to his trunk found
several hotel bills made out in the name of "Mr Meeker
and lady, The young lady, knowing full well that or
mother did not accompany her father on the
trip, had her suspicious aroused, and, gathering
them 10 her mother when Mr. Meeker returned home
bis fe charged him with domestic nfdelty and pro-
duced of the hotel bills The gentleman seized the
document, and without ceremony put IL In his mouth
and attempted to swallow IT, His wife told him that Id
could swallow II and welcome, as she had plenty more
OF the sort left. Mrs. Meeker thereupon imme
dately brought action for divorce, charging hos
band with committing adultery on the goth Of octobci
ia Rsectsr s,rse, Nov I 'ne pevos House
lived with and passed Miss Ella Sprague his wife
that he had her at the house OF Mrs Jane Campbell Nd
l2l Blocker street, where be lived with her his wifi
from January Till March, 1865.
In the testimony before the referee Mrs Margaret tes
titled that Mr.. and Mrs Meeker were married al hd
house, after which they took up their residence il
Brooklyn; was present when the hotel bills in ques
ton shown by Mrs Meeker her husband and Id
replied what of ii? AT the time the bills dated
Mrs Meeker residing in Brooklyn and Mr.. Meeket
absent professional tour.
DIR. d. A. Turner testified that he Is physician and
acquainted with Mr.. Meeker; called by him Ia
visit lady whom ho represented to he his wife, he Wis
tied the lady at the house No 12l Blocker street, New
York. he there introduced witness 10 the lady his
wife, he visited her from the 9th to the 18th of Feb
rary day. she then left for Boston with tho de-
PENDANT; they occupied two and had but bed
the lady In question was small thin, dark complexi0ned
and about twenty-five years of age; her only while
she was lying in bed.
Annie Meeker daughter Of the defendant testified
that she Is actres and engaged at the Park theatre
her father and mother living together; found
the hotel bills mentioned 10 her fathers trunk.
Miss Kate Conner testified that she acquainted with
the defendant; is also acquainted with Miss Ella
Sprague; remember her being sick 121 Blocker
street; Mr. Meeker asked her go and Ella, who
passed as his WIFE
Jane Campbell testified that Mr. Meeker took rooms AZ
her house, No l2l Blocker street. last winter and in
PRODUCED the lady miss Spraguel he brought his wife
they roomed together and wife; the plaintiff
the suit is not the lady whom he had at her house.
Several other witnesses examined but their test
mony not important Upon the report OF the referee
JUDGE Reynolds of the City Court of Brooklyn granted
a decree OF divorce. Thus the matter ends