The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-06-01

Both Sides Of the Story in Hard-Fought Di'
vorce Case.


Having some personal knowledge Of the
young man and his history we have watch
ed the case with more than usual interest,
/, on that account, 2, on account of what
we believe to be the just claims, not only
Of the fair plaintiff, but Of others similar
ly situated who may, perhaps, read this
case.
The suit is that of EIizebeth Brinkley
VS. Hugh Lawson Brinkley, tried before
Judge Van Brunt and jury, and the Sec
ond trial The action was brought for a
limited divorce and judicial separation on
the plea that the defendant has unquali-
fedly abandoned the plaintiff, who claims
that he is her husband. He denies this,
but admits that he lived with her long
time. Whether she is q wife or not is the
question which makes the trial so interest
ing as it is. The questions of fact were
too much for Judge Van Brunt, and hence
the second trial. There is in absolute dis
pute the verbal agreement which the plain
tiff claims was made at the beginning Of
her relations with the defendant. The
parties 70 the suit are very respectfully
connected. The plaintiffs maiden name
was Elizabeth Charles, and with much gen.
uine sincerity she claims that it has since
become and is now Brinkley. She was the
daughter Of Charles s. Charles, noted in
Memphis, where he lived with varying sue
cess, as an actor and theatrical manager.
He was killed in the last war. His wife
had been dead some years, and thus his
daughter was left an orphan. Lizzie
Charles, as she was then called, had re-
ceived liberal education, and in 1860 had
become school-teacher in a young ladies'
seminary Of Iuka, Miss. Her varied ac-
comphshments, combined with an amiabil-
Ity Of temper, graceful and attractive
person, drew the notice Of Brinkley, then
a mere youth. She met him repeatedly,
but all she knew about him was that he
was the son Of wealthy gentleman in
Memphis. The war made sad havoc among
the schools Of the South, and the Iuka
Seminary closed. Miss Charles was forced
to seek employment elsewhere. In 1862
she left luka and went to New York City,
where some of her fathers relatives lived.
From this time until two years later she
lost all track Of young Brinkley, and be-
came quietly settled as a teacher in a
boarding school for young ladies, kept by a
Nine. Bernard, in Madison avenue, Early
in 1884 she was boarding with a family in
West Twenty third street.
Brinkley had meanwhile arrived in New
York. From this time on the stories differ
remarkably. Mr.. Brinkley maintains that
the first intimation he had that Miss
Charles was resident of New York was
received from one Clarence p. Hunt, who
says he knew Miss Charles in the South as
early as 1856, and has retained an acquaint-
anceship with her ever since In 1868 he
met her in New York, where he subse-
quently met Brinkley. He was one day
walking with him in Broadway and entered
chocolate establishment merely to buy
cigars. Mr.. Brinkley's attention was not
so much attracted by the excellence of the
cigars as it was centred on a handsome
young lady waiting behind the cigar count
or. Hunt knew her, but did not know her
name, and when his friend pressed for an
INTRODUCTION jestingly declined. But Brink.
ley was persistent His enthusiasm had
been fired at the sight of such beauty in
such situation.
By way of substitute Mr.. Hunt volun-
teered TO introduce him to Lizzie Charles,
"good-looking young lady from Mem
phis." But Mr.. Brinkley had forgotten
that he ever knew the lady, whereat his
friend, who knew of their early acquaint.
ance, expressed great astonishment, Fl.
naly Brinkley consented to forego the
beautiful cigar girl if he could be intro
duced to Miss Charles So Mr.. Hunt went
to Miss Charles to ask permission to intro
duce his friend, the defendant, whom hi
said she might remember Miss Charles
didn't remember, but she consented to re
ceive the introduction. Mr.. Hunt remark,
IN his evidence, by way of parenthesis, tina
he knew Miss Charless character was no
into md hat kp I L
understand. The defendant said that tina
was inst what he wanted. Mr.. Hunt then
according to his story, informed Mis-
Charles that Brinkley had plenty of none,
and that he Hunt had spent all his mon
ey, and advised her to change him for tn,
defendant. Then, he says, Miss Charlie.
became anxious for the introduction, anC
promised Hunt, by way of swap" to in
troduce him to q leading actress at one o
the theatres. The introduction took plac
and the understanding among their freind
both In New York aDd in Memphis wa:
that Brinkley and Miss Charles were no
man and wife Brinkley supplements hi!
confirmation Of this story by saying tina
such confession is extremely mortifyinl
to him, but he pleads in extenuation tina
his errors were those of youth He EN-
phatically denies that he was ever married
TO the plaintiff
The plaintiffs story, told with great sim
phcity, is an unqualified denial Of all this
She says that while she was living in New
York, in May, 1864, Brinkley sought hel
out, and she received him as an old nc
qualntance. He became very attentive
and visited her with great regularity. HI
accompanied her to many places of amuse
ment, and In language unmistakable gave
her to understand that she had his affec.
uOns. The acknowledged social STANDING
and business integrity of his family led hel
to place implicit confidence in him. Sht
was away from all relatives, and at frs
looked upon him as a friend. She encour
aged his attentions, and believing that hi
protestations OF affection were genuine, SIT
became very much attached to him. HI
subsequently, expressed desire to MARI,
her, but feared that if marriage was +
take place, and his father was to becom
cognizant OF the fact, family troubles woul
arise. He explained his position as a pc
culiar one. He said that he was the re
Versionary legatee of an estate worth ST.
oOO,0OO,the property being near Memphis
but he was dependent on his father, durin
the latter lifetime, for regular allow
ance, He had no other means of Sumo,
and as his relations had determined on h
marrying wealthy young lady in Al,
bama, if his marriage with Miss Charlie
should become known in the South. h
father might be able not only to cause hi
considerable trouble, but perhaps to d.
prlve him OF his property. She,says that tn
story conn letelv won L.,r sx,,npotby III