The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-09
BUrISG A $500, 900 HUsBAND.
Curious case Of Matchmakina-One Sister
Realizing s35, 900 aud the Other suing
for 81, 600. a Piano. md y Gold Watch
Re==arkabie Lawsuit In Ulster County.



Remarkable Lawsuit In Ulster County.
From he E7eariie Journal
Allusion has before been made to a somewhat
curious lawsuit likely to come to trial at the next
term OF the Crcni Court In this county. The prin.
cioal thereto women-the complainant Mrs Su-
san Crawford, and the deiendan. Mrs. Christine
are Aes.rs. E. & c. whitiatcr OF sanrcrtIes' While
Mrs. Ruslel'a attorney IL Hon. John A. Gri.wold,
Member Of CONGRESS from the Thirteenth District.
Mrs. CrawfcTd, the complainant, II about IS or 30
years OF age, rather inclined to Obesity, a wiuov
with four children. She II school teacher In sau-
gertes, and her actions, sly OF spealying and de-
pertinent generally show her TO BE- strong NJ nded
woman, shrewd, smart. and calculating. Previous
70 ner eu.osna 1eo,n ,he famly we're IN ,fuent
during his last DAYS, much money was lost and to-
day the widow, though not really wanting the neces-
Christine RUSSELL the defeRcant Ia about 20 years
OF age, surrounded by all the comforts OF good
home, and has money enough 10 keep her safe from
povertys Intrusion. Both Of the ladies respect
ed IN tho beet circles. an1 are members Of the Rev.
Mr. Barnums Methodist Church, In ssugerties.
Mrs: hussels husband, Jeremiah Russell, has been
dead nearly lures years In 1888 he VS. Van Buren,
Presidtnua Eecor from this state. To 1St2 he was
sent to Congress from the Thirteenth District by the
Democrats. Was renominated IN 1916. but defeated,
He possessed good physical frame and TO this day
It is said OF him that he worked more hours ont Of
the tNenty-four than any one In his district In
June, lti6, his nrst wife DIED End he became a Wild.
over Aud now cones curious story.
The next month, July, Mrs. Christine Crawford
mentioned above as Christine RusscD who WAS a
sister the husband Of susan Crawford, approached
OF securing the Hon. jeremiah Russell rs her hus-
band, he then being ABOUT 10 years OF age aud re-
puted to be worth 500 600 and she about 20 wears
OF age and worth considerable less. A. the inter.
view with Susan Crawford Chistine said to her in
she would bring about marriage between her and
Jeremiah Russell and she should survive him rhe
would give her t2UOO, = piano, and a gold watch
and educate her child. Susan listened attentiyely
TO the offer, and hnsly accepted IT, wnen w,ftte3
contract To that effect drawn up and signed by
both parties asd that contract IL said TO be still in
existence.
soon amer this Christine met Jeremiah AT susan's
house by previous Arrangement, when an inrodnc.
ton followed. Then visit after visit was made Mrs
Susan Crawford finding Hight aud fuel Tor the pair
THIS matters progressed happily until October 1871
who1 the two were united IN marriage and lived to-
gethe- happily and much respected until loOI, when
the Hon. Jeremiah Russell died without making a
Will. short time previous 30 his death be seemed
desirous OF drawing mp and finishing such a duru.
ment, and often consulted Counsellor Winars OF
saug rtes In relation to 1t, but the viii was never
completed.
After waiting a proper length or time the widow
Russell claimed the portion of her deceased hus
property allowed her by law, claiming also that there
was an ante nupnal agreement between them In re.
aiion 10 the disposition OF 1t. Seeing tLat there
were prospects Of considerable litigation growing
out or the complication OF the affair the executor
unally compromised with tho widow by paving over
to her the snug sum OF $4,000, when she signed
ON any iurtner claim on the property.
As soon as this sott!oment was effected Mrs Su
san Crawford demanded the $4,000 piano gold
watch, and the education OF her child as the con
tract price agreed upon in writing for services ron
dered the widow In obtaining the Hon. Jeremiah
Russell for her rs husband. She asserted tllat IN,
contract mas been fulfilled her part TO thu letter
ana as Mrs. Christine Rus sell had survived the Hon
j remiah Russell, as especially referred to in m,
contract. there was nothing for the widow Russell
counsel puts in general denial and also pleads a,
| Statute oi Limitation.