The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-28
A SAD ST OR Y.
Fhe Death Of Thomas Earle in the Worcester
(Mass.) Insane Asylum
Another Instance OF Domestic Discord
Caused by Spiritualism
and Free Loving.


WORCESTER, Mass, May 81, 1871.
In this city 0e ~ the hour is vae death ana
burial OF yhoylas Earle. thus closing che last scene
Of a painful domestic drama, protracted In dura-
uon mghly~sensatonal IN character and most tragic
IN its endssg Most readers VIII have forgotten the
salient points OF 1his remarkable case, which are
partially revived by the death OF Mr.. Earle. man
once prominent In business circles and moving In
<he nrst society IL conservative New England.
Thomas Earle was married in 1s49 to Alice Chase,
Of Sriem Ter years OF happiness were accorded 70
the couple VINO. 10 all appearances, were most
lowing and literally endowed with all the substan-
t,ai and luxurious appointments of life following
success in business ana The accumulation OF wealth.
AFrsR THE BIRTH or THE LAST CHILD
Thomas corn IN 1859. Mrs. Earle seems to have
become subject TO strange Authorization. showing
itself in marked dislike for the society OF her hus
band, which became intensified through the IN
nuence OF
SPIRITUAL DOCTRINES,
which taught her disordered Imagination that q
way to soulful peace might be found In the society
OF dark-haired affinity. Accordingly We find q
number OF compassionate gentlemen, OF the kind
always waiting round for chances OF usefulness,
visiting here and there, writing notes and prac.
Using magnetism, while the husband is away at the
during the year 1851. In the suit Tor adultery
shat naturally follows a sequence a social and
select crowd OF heightened and liberal-minded
ladies and gentlemen are seen figuring ON the car
pet, among whom
MRS. EARLE WAS PROMINENT,
as indicated by the evidence on the trial for adul-
tery instituted by Mr.. Earle in 1865. 1t was not re-
ported or published at the time, through the infu-
ence OF Mr. Earle, who desired to spare his wife the
shame and his children the disgrace which he un.
douptedy had the power OF innicting. The
MILK AND WATER PROSECUTION
thus conducted gave all the vantage to the woman,
who used ner wealth and influence to avert the
consequences Of her dclusion. From subse-
Saent ma no dSTe. remains ns mat
would have been Influenced TO a more impartial de-
clson: Sometime previous TO the trial OF 1865 Mrs.
Earle had deserted ner husband and family and re-
turned to her native place, where she still resides.
Being possessed OF about seventy-ve thousand dol
ing friends 10 war upon her husband, who clearly
gave her the advantage In accepting a divorce on
any ground otner than that OF adultery, which would
have made all her future attempts to obtain possess
sion OF the children frultiess.
AFTER THE DISCRETION or THE MOTHER
Mr.. Earle procured eslnahle lady 10 live in his
family and care FOR the children. Becoming en-
deared TO the children and consulting only their
happiness Mr.. Earle eventually married Miss Cole
man, his housckeeper. shortly after the decree OF
divorce was grantea for desertion about two years
q year In Europe Tor his health during which Mrs.
Earle had taken the children To Salem On his re-
purchase and furnish handsome residence.
where he provided for his family IN good
sye living nappy sne children WIN nm ana
estranged mother.
Then commenced suits for the possession OF the
children, finally so adJudged in favor OF Mrs. Earle
rs 10 take from the father the two youngest,
WHO WE'RE TORN FROM THE HOUSE
Oy force shrieking and struggling Intellectually.
This alected the sensitive and delicate mental
organization OF the father tnat degree that be-
came no longer responsible for his acts, and,
while In O state OF delrlun1, he went to Salem
~ effect their rescue, being defeated and repused
with so much OF violence that he became rayng
maniac. dying The cath INST at the Insane Retreat
al Worcester IN the forty-eighth year OF his age.
THE HEARTLESSNESS OF THE DIVORCED WIFE
and her advisers IN refusing the dying man a sight
OF his children on his deathbed, Notwithstanding
the assurances OF the attending physician Of his
condition, supplemented by refusal to permit their
attendance al the funeral in response courteous
note from Mr.. Earle's brothers one OF whom is
Mayor OF the city. is theme OF indignant comment
In ali circles.