The New York herald., 1873-12-06
THE WESTCHESTER SENSATION,
Continuation Of the MacMahOn Libel
Suit at White Plains.
Reading the Private Correspondence OF the
Plaintiff Shocking Secrets Disclosed-What
Bouquet of Magnolias Contained
Rich and Racy Testimony Of the
Divorced Husband and Co
Defendant in tho Suit

Francis E. Eldridge and the Rev. ROBERT HOiden,
was continued yesterday in the Circuit Court at
White Plains, westchester county. before Justice
Pratt and the Justices OF the Sessions. Among
the deeply interested crowd OF spectators, wnich
almost filled the court room, were large number
OF professional men, including clergymen. few
females, whose desire to hear the scandalous ana
obscene disclosures overruled their modest in
stincts, occupied conspicuous places in the gallery
throughout the day. As on the preceding day the
plaintiff was represented by Chauncey Shaffer, ex-
Judge Robert Cochrane and Dennis MacMahon,
her husband, the counsel for the defendants being
exJudge Emott, A. B. Crane, J. o. Dykman and
Il. Cary Smith.
Having proved the authorship and presentation
OF the alleged hbellous letter, the defence rested
their case on Thursday evening" when Rev. Robert
Holden took the stand and testified to the decep-
tive course adopted by the plaintiff when she first
secured home for Mr.. Eldridge with his family.
The witness also testified to his good intentions In
presenting
THE ALLEGED LIBELLOUs LETTER,
accompanied with demand for money, stating
that his sole reason to avert the disgrace to
the MacMahon family as well as to religion If the
threatened publication OF the correspondence he
had perused were carried out.
Mrs. Susannah Holden, wife OF the last witness,
fully corroborated her husbands testimony regard
ing the manner In which Eldridge had been intro
duced into her family; that on the occasion or his
coming Mrs. MacMahon devoted herself TO the
preparation of the room he was to occupy, and,
among other evidences of regard for him. placed
large bouquet of magnoias on the dressing case,
having first concealed a $40 note IN each hover;
this done paintin asked the witness to see tnat
none OF the servants disturbed the gilt and also
requested her to tell Edridge, on his arrival, that
her ltne plaintin'sl lips had 9
KISSED THE FLORAL OFFERING.
MacMahon's carriage, in which the latter, together
with young lady and Mr. Edrdge, were seated;
among other things, asked Eldrdge several times
whether in case sne should be so unfortunate as
Edrldge, touching his hat, replied, 81 believe am
speaking to Mrs. MacMahun;' when the rupture
what she had against Mr.. Eidridge, when
the reply u was that ne was max, Making N love
two IN Inc 1ne ths% hed noasaeS
with IN Connecticut; the plaintiff adding, II tell
you he cannot marry while his wife Is alive;'' this
Is the first intimation the witness had ever re-
ceived regarding the marriage Of Eldridge; the
witness was not aware that the paintln was
secretly corresponding with Eldridge before the
K severe cross-examination by Mr.. SchaGer did
not materially alter or affect her testimony.
SINGULAR HISTORY.
Francis B. Eldridse testified a as I0ows & am one Of
a s To NM e to
property when was about IL knew the mother Of the
heard cseS the
o%n 0 he and
Rak a ns as asr Ken broe st G
been in spa 1e
ana nsS IN
in Houston street where she and John h Rathbone lived
the PIantif daily al hat house alter formed her
harrison and John Harrison who sent iSr mar
wSt St decided a on Or e to
ner would pledge myself not to reveal to her the
nature OF her mothers occupation and that should
think the plainta was at convent in Maryland at th.
nh fsy
ton Of the time my fathers; remained in New YORK
tss1 s
my my xiis and c0TIsspSnaeSS wa, away about
nss !, ,n,: s."nS,s%
agreed between ourselves nat She should Join SIX
mS 4ern New YORK under
Soae ne on wine
as E as s nses ss s sSh ss a
her iathers advice, and he was old enough . know
to
pressed dislike for Texas and wanted house one
hsy ssS % a M Ms End hs s1 q 5sf "
s'' THE MOTHER DESIRED A DIVORCE
a notice served me but IN accordance with
HSf to and wen 70
led disspaied lite afer this; in 1859 in New YORK.
srsna sa Isr M S S
commit suicide had gone there to try and some
Sn 1 this ss rom sep
her second Their son 6 % nsksd
to ss sde me aa f sS
a s
e Pay IN
ioriabe position iarm ior me was @ suggested among
ass @ " Gs om benn a Mad M
Jr e to the Witness were here read one Of which mem
nonsd farm to be Presented g him bin By Mrs
with pennls rscslyea letters While a. onkefs
proiaceG sap Were directed Sy her
$40 but writing this was done az ~ various
September received card on one side Of which
MSen I y e pa Ps Ss ns e s
enclosed letters my knows have been engaged
ne 70 s9 IT hi.
TO-
Pss T sss h @ sn' Al ss 5 1s.s
5 s@ to Mr. Ma sd Gi the HAVING
psrscs wsua r f s1 MI n
a ss s about bout 1 d
marriage Letter containing n diagram Of the plaintiffs
in Connectcut) Acted upon the directions ard plan
contained in the letter and came down
Tuesday; went up TO her house about eleven
through window which she had designated in her I.
letter; there furniture and luncheon set out in
the room shortly afterwards heard scratching on
side door and on opening it the plaintiff entered the
room; staid there until four Ave In the affernoons
next morning the plaintiffs carriage drove me from me
depot at Morrisana to MIR. Holdens house;
ANY SERVANTS
while at plaintiffs house on the preyious dayi sayea
u while at Mr.. Hodens house and then went Deck 20
Unkersvilie, where, after while, my eI.ens 10 M
MacMshon were returned unopened, pa paceved he,ore
this had noticed change IN the pain nu1 leers; nsa
made painti with the TACT OF my paying my
addresses to Miss Palmer where M was 0ocfohg Pssv
ous 10 this was made that the painun nad peen
Writing to some of my friends IN onkersyille letter
~ ne. a. piantif askef the key of
@ runr ssionay with Mrs Holden, that she lthe
ny viesf place therein articles necessary my
Comfort and effect any repairs thst my clothing
S hcen absracted from my trunk subsequently
rcatmurned; while at Mr.. Holdens house ! often