The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-10-31
THE MARRIAGE OF A MANIAC.

The judicial records Of England have
furnished q large amount Of strange aud
romantic family history. Many Of these
circumstances have been used in work Of
fiction. A divorce case. tried some years
since iu this country, presented most as
tonishing facts Of this nature, embracing o
singular instance Of insanity, and con
spiracy in relation to a marriage, The
details here given are drawn from various
documents and evidence in the case.
10 one Of the finest agricultural portions
of,he West we're two adjoining estates
under bigh cultivation aud great value
It vas the grasping aud inordiunte desire
on the part Of the owner Of one Of them to
possess tho other in lis family, which led
to the state Of affairs that occasioned the
suitiu the divorce court; This peIso9s, e!s
William BeDbam. by memo, had snly
daughter, spd bis plan was to unite her in
marriage to The only son Of another land
ed proprietor Of the neigbbOrhood. The
son was the heir, in his own right, to the
property adjoining Mr.. Benham, Rob
ert funston, with his son, lived abroad.
There had been a family difficulty about
his marriage, and even after the death Of
bis father be did not return. His wife
died 10 Paris, and be remained 10 France
for the education Of his son. The care Of
the large property at home was left entire
ly to an agent
Nov, it so happened that Tunslon was
under obligations to BcDham. At the
critical period Of bis rupture with bis fath.
er, Bepham had secretly befriepded bin
in way which could not be forgotten
Hence he wrote to him when bis son was
born, that if the child lived to grow up'
he should marry the daughter Of the 9th
er, he had one. Two years later Q
daughter was born to Beuham, and be
wrote back to the other, accepting and re-
heating the contract. Thus far was fail
and honorable on the part Of Benham.
But as bis daughter grew up she show
ed very weak mind, and at length .
slight form Of insanity was developed
All this caused great uneasiness to to Ben
ham, and the evil in his nature began t.
come out. As he daily looked over the
far-stretcbiug and fertile acres Of The
ueighboring property, the desire Of pos
,essipp them, for his doughter became
stronger and stronger.
II will not be banked in this plan, ht
he said to his wife Though our chile
has proved first fool, and is now at time
insane, | think will be found bold ant
cunning enough to effect my purpose"
From this date he began bis scheme 0
villoiuy. AS matters became more des
pera,e he became more determined. HI
wrote repeatedly to Tunison Of the lntelli
peuco and beauty Of his daughter, and ev
cry way sought 10 create the greatest in
terest Of both father and son in her. Ii
regard to beauty be told The truth, for tn
Girl had no small attractions Of person.
A correspondence was originated as be
tween tho youug people, which on th
mart Of the maiden was altogether the fOrg
erv Of her father and mother. Very Of
ton when the letters we're written the gu
was locked 10 her room q raving maniac
Portraits we're also exchanged.
Several years rolled by during which
malsdy. Apartments bad bsen givs'
Julia Benham became more confirmed in he
h, vbcrc she yas attended BY hor par