Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-04
the Newcomb divorce.

IA CUTItbDOuQCub
Commercial, writing from Louisville un-
der date of the 28tb of April, gives the
following version Of transaction which
has been very generally talked about,
though not publicly announced, within
the last fortnight: nlii ldHea
A very important divorce suit has
Just been decided in the Louisville Chan
Gerry Court. The parties are Ii. ID. New
comb and Cornelia w. Newcomb. Mr..
Newcomb is, perhaps, the wealthiest and
most influential man in the city. He is
President of the Nashville road, a lessee
Of the Mississippi Central, owns the Can
Melton cotton mills, is connected with
AN extensive banking concern in this
city, and has great many minor fnan-
cial irons in the fire.. He is a bold and
successful operator, and everything he
touches turns to gold. !, He originated
the combination which resulted in build
ing the Gait House, and organized the
Western Financial Corporation. Mr..
Newcomb lives in an elegant residence
on Broadway, the ,Belgravia of Louis
vile. Having Travelled extensively in
Europe, and developed taste for art,
his residence is embellished with choice
paintings from the best artists Of Italy,
France and Germany He entertains
handsomely and his house is popular
resort for the aristocracy and ditletante
Of Louisville. They are always sure of
the best music, wine, and other good
cheer at Newcomb's.
Mrs. Newcomb's history is a sad one.
Insanity is hereditary in the family, and
for fifteen years she has been an inmate
of the Massachusetts, Hospital for the in
sane, where everything that money could
do to ameliorate her condition has been
done by her husband. 1t is of common
report that the disease asserted itself in
Mrs. Newcomb suddenly, without, pre-
monition, and in the most frightfui man
ner. Tits said that her first paroxysm
of madness caused her to murder two OF
her children, and that she has never had
lucid interval since.
Mr.. Newcombs determination to pro-
cure divorce, after fifteen years of sep
aration from his wife, naturally excites
some comment among the few who are
cognizant. Being an elderly, though ex-
ceedingly well preserved, gentleman,
with grown children around him, it was
supposed that, afteriso long time, he
would not marry again. But 1t is said
that stray shaft from Cupid s bow has
found its way to his tough old heart, and
that the divorce was contracted for the
express purpose of enabling him TO con
tract fresh matrimonial alliance with q
yoeng and blooming maiden. tiE III
The most curious feature of this affair
is the secrecy with which it has been
conducted. Mr.. Newcomb's influence is
sufficient to keep it out of the newspa-
pers, and also to secure the utmost
privacy in obtaining the decree from
Chancellor, Cochran. In order to avoid
publicity, little special legislation on
the part of the Kentucky General Assem-
bly, was found necessary Kentucky has
always been conservative on the subject
of divorce. But in 1865 law was
passed making incurable insanity a
cause for divorce. This law, however,
required jury, defense for the insane
party and an inquisitioH into the re-
sources of the plaintiff, with a view to
the apportionment of allmony Besides,
there were other features which did not
suit Mr.. Newcomb, and he accordingly
procured the law to be so amended at
the last session as to give the Chancellor
the power to make the decree and settle
the question of alimony, thus doing away
with the offensive feature of publicity.
The amendment was drafted to meet the
exigencies of Mr.. Newcomb's case, and
was put through without opposition.
Any reasonable legislator would readily
yield to the wishes Of so much wealth
and social standing.
The law having been amended to suit
Mr. Newcomb, the rest of the busi-
ness WAS simple enough Chancellor
Cochran held a private session OF his
court, heard the evidence of insanity,
granted the decree, and ordered Mr..
Newcomb to pay two thousand five hun
dr. ed dollars per annum for the mainten-
Ianc,e of his divorced and insane wife, so
lone as she survives The decree cuts
her of from all share of his magnificent
estate. and if she should at any future
time recover her reason, and desire to
re-enter society, she can only move IN
two tbous and five hundred dollar circle.