The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-07-19

THE BALTIMORE BRINvILLIERs.-The fol-
lowing sketch of the early life of Mrs. Whar-
ton, the beautiful poisoner of Baltimore, from
the Philadelphia Inquirer, indicates unmistak-
ably that, as usual, insanity will be the ground
of her defence:
Ellen G. Nugent was the daughter of George
Nugent, a large and very successful importer
OF this city in the last generation. She was
born 45 years ago by Mr.. Nugent's second
wife, about whom little is known, save that she
lived up to a few years since, her husband hay
ing died before her during the prevalence of
the California gold excitement. The early
years of the daughter were spent near Con-
shocken, at a place called Gulf Mills. Her
father idolzed her and expended large sums Of
money in gratifying her every within. Her
character was one of great recklessness-a dash
and fastness then little known, but which has
grown somewhat into into fashion in these lat
ter advanced days. She was proud of dress,
and spent enormous sums of money in that d-
rectlon, with the remarkable eccentrcity of
paying the debts of her faverles and lavishing
money and fine dresses, jewelry and what not
upon various young ladies of her acquaintance.
Her father paid all bills cheerfully, and was
only too glad to satisfy the claims OF his daugh.
ter upon his doting care. She was very beau.
tlfui, her society was greatly sought, and she
was the centre of fashionable Philadelphia
society.
1t created an intense excitement when the
friends of Miss Nugent heard one morning that
she had determined to get married. Soon af-
terWard the wedding invitations were sent
around and the wedding day followed close
upon them: The prospective bridegroom was
Mr.. Williamson whose claims as a suitor had
not even Deen suspected, and who was, indeed,
comparatively unknown to the circle in which
Miss Nugent moved. But on the day of the
wedding what was the still greater surprise of
the guests upon attending the ceremonies to
md that the bridegroom had not made his ap-
pearance. He was sent for by the parents of
the bride, and the startling word brought back
that the bridegroom knew nothing of the mar
rage, and had received no intimation of the
event whatever. The guests departed in sur
prise, and the parents a1d bride were left in
dtlscomhture-perhaps to a wordy quarrel
line upshOt OF the matter was that Mr.. Nugent
concluded thot his daughter was insane, and
determined to put her in mad-house. Miss
Nugent, however, became acquainted with the
design, and few days before IFS projected ac-
complshment, ran away, no one conld tell
where. A short time afterward intelligence
was received that she had married 1t. Harry
". Wharton, young man whose claims, like
those OF Williamson's, had not been known
Inc couple sput up at James Hotel, in this
Guy, put were soon forgiven, and returned to
the family mansion at Gulf Mills Afterward
they resided at Norristown, and still after ward
at Philadelphia again. Mrs Wharton was as
lavish In her habits as Miss Nugent and her
I h;,Il was as kind in settling all her little
i9. ~. narsop became capt. Wharton
and was stationed at Fort Kearney for six or
seven years. His wife accompanied him in his
wanderings until his eyesight became defect
i've, and he returned to Philadelphia where he
placed himself under the care of an oculist.-
The war breaking out the captain got com
mission in Delaware regiment and afterward
was appointed disbursng agent. He made his
residence IN Hamilton place, Baltimore, and
had his Office in Eutaw street. He resided at
this place, with the exception OF temporary
sojourn in Washington, until the time of his
sudden death in 1867.