Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-09-13
THE EVENING STAR
Loye and Crime-An infatuated s1an and n
GAY ChambeYmaId
IFYon the SiouN CIV lIoMal Reristerl


Prom the SiouA City (Iowa) Regissrl
some ten years sgo Lsander Davis left Herki-
msr county, N. 4, and removed TO Ponca,
Net, where he engaged in farming. In the
spriDg OF 1895 be came to Sioux Civ. and took
charge Of the Wauregan Hotel His family
consisted OF his wife, three children, and hrs
year. OF age He prospered in business, and
thorf time after taking possession he bought
and paid for the house. About the time the
Puref ase was made girl named Ellen o Neill
came 70 the hotel in quest Of employmen and
vas engaged In he capacity Of chamb
And here the moral downfall of Davis COM
menesd. He became enamored OF this girl
Ellen, and seemed unhappy and morose when
ont OF her society. He neglected his business.
Prom an active, energetic business man, and
lively, genial companion. he became careless
and Indifferent in the management Of his house,
and oil and reserved in his intercourse with
his friends and guests. He constantly, how
ever. sought the companionship OF the girl.
Mrs. Davis was for long time aware Of the
conduct of her hus band, but instead of expo-
eng and denouncing him, she expostuIated
with him, and, In the name of her children,
begged MN TO send the girl away, promising
that she would freely forgive him, and en-
deavor 10 forget that he had ever been untrue
But ne paid no heed TO her entreatIes, and con-
hnued, II possible, more than ever to seek the
society and favors Of Ellen.
Ihus matters continued for about eight
months, the stricken wife-broken In spirits and
weighed down with grief, yet silent and pa
tisni, IN the hope that her husband would re-
form-liviDg beneath the same roof with her
hue band paramour. About this time Davis
mother surprised the guilty couple in a posi-
tion which aroused her indignation TO a point
beyond quiet endurance, and she peremptorily
orcered the girl 10 leave the house. In re-
spouse TO his old mothers entreaties and ad-
moritions, Davis sulkily declared that if Ellen
was sent away he would go too. But the old
lady's determination TO rid the house of the
girl was unyielding. and accordingly. on the
following morning, Ellen left for Boonesboro
Davis immediately opened a correspondence
with her, which continued until about the mid
Ole OF May, when he went to Boonesboro to
see her. He remained away about two weeks
ard upon his return IN blu lingly told his wife
that he had been to see Ellen.
On Monday last he conveyed to his wife by
warranty deed the title Of the Wauregan
mouse and furniture, 40 acres of land near
Niobarah, Neb.. and his personal property in
SIOUX City, the value OF the whole amounting
TO between 5000 and $1,000. Late on the
afternoon of the same day. he engaged passage
IN the stage for Council Bluffs. All this was
was done without saying one word to his fan-
Ally or any one else in regard to his intentions
"A short time before the stage star ted. he in.
formed his family that he was going to leave
and that he was not coming back He then
took leave of his children. coolIy walked ont
mis- ehIioren following him, crying and beg
ging him TO come back-took a seat in the stage
and was driven of. Before leaving, he with
drew from the bank all his money amount
ing 10 about four thousand dollars, and took il
with him.
Prior 10 his criminal intimacy with this girl
no man in our city stood higher in the estima.
ton OF his neighbors than Leander Davis He
was temperate, industrious. attentive to busi-
ness, strictly honest and fair in all his deal.
lngs, and kind and indulgent to his family He
wss engaged in lucrative business, was sur.
rounded by everything that is calculated to
make life pleasant. and was to all appeararces
the last man 10 bring upon himself inc yitable
moral and financial ruin by becoming the dune
of an abandoned woman.