Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-11-07
HYACINTHE'S BRIDE.
separation from 1uer First rnu.ba1

Separation from Her First Husband.
The lady, who is now Madam Hva-
cinthe Loyson, was born in the village
of Bucyrus. Crawford County, Ohio.
i'll the year 1888, thus making her at
the present time 80 years of age; her
maiden name was Emily R. Butter
field a'fa s-as.
She was married about the year
1852 10 Edwin r. Merriman, who was
engaged in the dry goods trade. IL
1858 they were both received into the
brotherhood of Plymouth Church.
Brooklyn-then, as now, under the
ministration Of Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher. At this time their residence
was in New York, and there they
continued to live until 1861, when
they removed to Clinton street, Brook
lyn, together with their two children,
a son and a daughter, aged about sew
en- and five years respectively. Mrs.
Merryman, ever since her marriage,
had devoted the whole of her leisure
hours to course of severe study, be-
ing desirous of entering upon the path
of literature, and some time previous
to the removal to Brooklyn had made
an extensive tour of the Western and
Southern States in the capacity of
correspondent to some of the leading
New York dailies.
The marriage relations between her
self and husband had been always of
the most loving nature, and they were
fOndly attached to each other, there
being but one drawback to their hap
piness; and that, alas! was one which
has lured so many to ruin, and which
proved no exception in his case. One
word is sufficient to cover the whole
story. 1t was q fatal habit of drink
ing, hereditary to tie family of the
husband. Shortly after the residence
in Brooklyn was occupied, the little
daughter died, and when visiting the
grave little while after the funeral,
the father, who was all that man
could be in every respect but for the
one fault, made a VOW to abstain from
drinking IN the future. ...
This vow he kept religiously for the
| space of some three months, but then
relapsed, and indulged more than ever,
/
embarrassed. Mrs. Merriman had for
some years done all that was possible
to keep the knowledge of her hus-
bands fatuity from his friends and
the world; but finding that she could
do so no longer, and that he could
no longer contribute toward the fami-
ly's support, once more turned to her
writing, and by this means supplied
the daily wants. However, ten years
since she was compelled to separate
from her husband, the separation be-
ing perfectly friendly and amid the
| strongest protestations of affection on
both sides. Mrs. Merriman then went
to Europe, taking her son with her for
the purpose of educating him. They
first went to Paris, and afterwards to
Germany.
Shortly after her departure, the hus-
bands habits quickly fell from bad to
worse, and very soon he failed in
business, and became deserted by his
relations, who could do nothing
toward his reclamation. 1t is said by
some that his heart was broken by
the parting with his wife. However
! eASAH noJ OCS AO JOuI hC( GU ny SOiIC
means to Chicago, where he died. As
soon as his death was communicated
to his wife, that lady returned to this
country,and was warmly welcomed by a
large circle of friends. Her stay was
but short, and she again went to Paris,
and afterWard to Rome, supporting
herself and son by labors with the
pen.
Between two and three years since
she became converted to the Catholic
faith, to which she expressed herself
on her second visit to this country i'm
mediately after that occurrence as
having been drawn by her own con-
victiops, and the desire of that reli
gious sympathy and consolation which
alone was to be sought for and OBJ
tanned in the Church of Rome.
All agree in giving the very highest
opinion of the mental capacity and
charming manner of this lady, and
who appears to possess a peculiar mag
netic charm, forcing every one she ad
dresses to sympathize with her; and il
is the opinion of her, friends that she
is eminently fitted to fill the position
she now occupies as the wife of Faith
er Hyacinthe.
She is described as being lady o.
great personal beauty, age seeming
but to enhance her charms, with {
bright and rosy complexion, and oI
qucenly presence.