The Republican journal., 1874-01-01
A Rare Libel Suit.

\ very remarkable libel suit has lust
ended at White Plains. n Y. and per-
haps the most remarkable thing about it
is the ending. In 1915, Francis Ellridge,
then twenty Years old, suddenly came in
to n fortune of so 900, and, like SO many
others before him, proceeded to waste it in
riotous living. He became visitor at the
house of a woman whose husband, one
Harrison. was Il gambler. This worthy
couple had Il daughter who was then in a
convent in Georgetown, and who was I'M
conscious of her parents mode of life.
The woman saw plan to secure Ed
ridges wealth and proposed 4 marriage
with her daughter She was sent after
and her personal appearance correspond
inc with Eldridge's desires the two were
privately married. She afterward visited
Eldrldges home, he introducing her as
Mrs Harrison After a time he went to
st Louis, where failing in business he re-
turned, another prodigal son, and con-
tessed all But the old people didn't act
their part Instead Of killing the fatted
calf, etc. they came near killing him, de-
nouncne him for his marriage and dis
cardn@ him He then went to New y FORK
and entered IN the lowest and widest dis
SiDation At this his wife sued tor divorce.
employing as counsel Mr.. Dennis Nc
Mahon. In procuring the divorce, Mr..
McMahon proceeded also TO fall in love
with his fair client, and when she was free
married her The McMahons were wealthy
and prosperous, q large family of children
grew up around them. Eldridge dropped
out Of sight, and Tor twenty-five years
time turned ON oiled hinges A year or two
ago McMah0n read at the breakfast table
an account OF the attempted suicide of an
Eloridge. a yagrant and gambler. Curious
TO know if it WAS the former husband of
his wife, their eldest boy was sent to the
hospital. and found that he was the identi-
cal man Nh and Mrs McMahon provit-
ed for his comfort, and on his GONZALES
cencc provided him with an income and
sent him to Uncasville, Conn, to the house
Of the Rev. Mr. Holden. The sight of her
first love, it seems, had rekindled the flame
in Mrs. McAlahon's heart, and while at
Uncasvilie she kept up Il constant CORE
Spondence with him, until she found he
was paving attention to two women there,
when letters and income We're both cut off
This reused the ire Of Eldridge, and he
dispatched his landlord, the Rev Holden,
with a letter to Mrs McMahon, informing
her that her enemy, which was himself,
would write u book That it should have
the taking title, My Former Wife; a
Warning to Youths of Both Sexes that
| therein he would reveal to the world the
| true character of her parents the particu-
lars of her life and publish her letters to
him, some 800 i'll all. The only thing that
would prevent this would be a cash pay
ment OF 81 $50, an annual living of 81 POO
and paid up life insurance policy of So
| 600 This Mrs McMahon refused Mr..
McNIahon also refused, and in addition
brought the suit against Eldridge & Hol-
den which brought to light these facts,
Eldrdge testified that in their voluminous
correspondence Mrs. McMahon and him.
self had interchanged the fullest partic,l-
lars of their lives and loves In one OF
these letters She had appointed an inter
view, giving him diagram of the house
and telling him how to get i'll at the propea
signal. He went and spent several hour;
with her While this testimony was given
the counsel Oh both sides lett the room the
case still going Oh After an hours alb
sence, they returned, saying that the cast
was amicably settled, making Il Statement
winch the Court approved and placed OF
record that Mrs. McMalon when sht
wrote these scandalous letters was of I'm
sound mind; that there We're no grounds
for reproach of her persona! character
that the Rev. Holden had acted only tin,
part OF peace maker; and that all paper
and letters, evidences of matchmaking
testimony, etc. several bushels in all
should be burned, which was forthwith
l done in the Court House yard And thu
has ended this romance of a quarter of
century
/, The Portland Press frees its mind il
} regard to the practice of lobbying at Au
gusta, and says with good deal of justice
that their performances and boasts ar
ian affront TO the Legislators and thei
constituents