Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-04-10
From the sheltina (Mo.) 0aEetlel
NOVEL BREACH OF PROMISE CASE
Tue DAMAGES LAID AT $4,000.

A curious case of breach of promise has
just been commenced, and is now pending
in the circuit court of Buchanan county, In
which $50, 900 damages are claimed. 1t ap-
pears that young lady in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, said to be exceedingly hand
some as well as rich, by the death of her
father, in the spring of 1868, became sole
heir to S140, 900 worth of property, mostly
in money bonds and stock.
AT the time of her father's death she was
only twenty years of age, and under the
rigorous laws of the Keystone State was not
permitted to enjoy her wealth in her own
way, only through conservator or guar
dian, until she became twenty-one years of
age. Before this anticipated period of her
happiness arrived, a gentleman, formerly
from the State of Iowa, engaged in the great
field of petroleum speculation, became smit
ten with her charms. Although not her
equal as regards this "world's goods, =" but
being a gentleman of unimpeachable char
acter and excellent business capacity, his
love, if such it was, was reciprocated by the
charming heiress.
He urged an immediate marriage, and as
an excuse for such haste sought to convince
her that her guardian or conservator was
misapplying her property to his own use,
while from the hour he should become her
husband he would be her legal guardian and
protector, and she would not then be depen-
dent upon the will of ''pernicious banker "
She heartily agreed with him in everything,
but persisted in putting off the marriage,
saying cit would only be a few months
before she would arrive at majority, and as
soon as she became of age the marriage
should take place" In fact, the time for
the wedding was set. The intended hus-
band continued to engage in profitable specu.
lations, all the time writing her the most
endearing letters, which she has now in her
possession, and apparently praying for the
day to arrive when he could call her his own.
AS soon as she arrived at the age of twenty
one years, and competent under the laws oi
Pennsylvania to transact business in heI
own behalf, she Immediately employed the
services OF a couple of lawyers in Franklin,
and executed certain instruments in writ
ing" placing her property beyond the reach
of any person she might marry for all com
ing time.
This was done secretly, no one knowing
anything about it except her herself and hel
attorney. This happened only one weel
before the time set for her marriage. Tho
intended husband, in the meantime, succeed
ed in acquiring quite a fortune by specula
ton. The wedding garments were ready,
and all due preparation for the happy occas
ion was made.
Just three days before the time set for tht
wedding, the intended husband by somt
means mistrusted she had made disposition
Of her property in such way that he could
not come into immediate possession of it
He at once searched the records and fount
it all true; whereupon he Immediately wrot,
his lady-loye a note, saying he was engaged
in some enterprise which required his imme
diate attention, and begged her to have tn,
marriage ceremony postponed for shor
time. She was grieved at the request, bu
consented. Before the next time set for tn
marriage to take place he discarded her.
Although she was nearly crazed over tn
terrible blow inflicted, with true womanl.
courage she remained true and faithful t
her obligations. In the fall of 1854, hayinl
met with great peculiar success, the ono
intended husband removed from Pennsylva
mia to St. Louis, where he married an accom-
plished lady Of that city, and afterwar'
removed to Buchanan county, III this State
His discarded lady friend " in Pennsylvr
mia Immediately moved to St. Louis on heal
ing of mis- marriage to another, and has bee
watching him closely until short time age
when she commenced suit against him i
Buchanan county for breach of promist
laying damages at $4,000.