Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-06-18
AN AMERICAN ADVENTURES.
Tho Woman for whom Russian
Grand DUKE stole his Mothers
Diamonds.

sia with the precious stones, has figured
in so many cities, under the guise Of
such a multiplicity of names, that am
somewhat at a loss by which one of
them can best denote her. This being
the case, | will begin with her family
name, and will, as accurately as possi
BILE, state the circumstances by means
of which she gained for herself the
J soubriquets which are so numerous and
! puzzling to her biographers.
Her maiden name was Lizzie Ely, and
she is the daughter of a prominent
clergyman of the Presbyterian Church,
and one of the company Of Northerners
who, many years ago, migrated to Mis-
souri, He there founded Marion Col
lege, about which has been subsequently
built a very prosperous and thriving
town. When Miss Lizzie had attained
the age of fifteen she was sent by her
parents to a boarding school in West
Virginia, where she remained quietly
for about one year. She was there con-
sidered a remarkably intelligent crea-
ture, possessing slight and delicately
moulded figure, but at the same time su-
perb health, while her disposition, tastes,
and general accomplishments gained
for her favor and admiration In
the routine duties attendant upon her
educational culture she displayed re-
markable talent, acquiring as if by in
J tuition what to all others came only
after the severest application and toll.
! Her literary compositions were models
of originality and skill, and in a word,
her proficiency gained her the highest
grade upon the roll 1t was here that
she first displayed those marvellous fac
ulties which have ever since distinguish
ed her, and which have recently proven
themselves to be sufficiently subtle to
lead astray the Grand Duke Nicholas.
1t was here, also, that she took the first
step in her bold, adventurous career, that
in moment divorced her from her dear
est friends and severed her from her pa
rents. While at the above named school
she formed the acquaintance of young
man named Blackford, and resorted to
| the most strategic measures in order to
enjoy his society. The affair came un-
der the notice of the head of the school,
and extraordinary means were taken to
keep them from meeting. 1t is stated
that q quarrel ensued between Miss Liz
zie and her preceptress, at the climax of
which the young girl dashed from the
room, vacated the premises, and met her
lover a sheet distance beyond. She
eloped with and was married to him.
But the honeymoon had barely passed
when the two discovered that they had
made mistake. Quarres we're frequent,
and subsequently, when a separation was
imminent, Blackford was found one fine
morning 10 his bed cold and dead.
Leaving at once every association which
this nfelicitous marriage lad created
for her, she fed the South, came North,
and under the name of Lizzie Blackford,
took up her residence in Philadelphia.
The great curse Of this woman's life,
if the statements made by all who knew
her are worthy of credence, was her con-
slant and habitual dissipation, and yet
neither domestic trial nor Indulgence
upon her part seemed to effect her grace
full figure or mar the attractions of her
face. The young widow Lizzie Black
ford" was known everywhere, and every
where was she courted by certain beaux
OF society. Young, gay, accomplished,
the mask she wore for long, long time
was taken for her true face, and the dan
gerous and wicked elements of her
character we're completely veiled and
obscured by the pure, tender, and lnno.
cent light Of her countenance.
There was a certain well-connected
young gentleman OF this city who met
and loved her at first sight. At last
be proposed to her, and was accepted.
Before the day appointed for the marri-
age arrived, however, an ugly rumor
reached his ears, and he refused, accord
| ingly, to fulfill his obligations. The
promptly instituted suit against him
for breach of promise. A compromise
was proposed, and she resigned the case
upon condition of the payment Of
large sum Of money. A short time after
this bad rumor was set ahoat concern.
ing her and prominent lawyer, and the
vile of this gentleman happening upon
one occasion to find her husband in the
woman's company, assaulted Lizzie
Blackford, and knocked her parasol
across her face. She, kept up against
several parties a regular system Of black
mail, and extorted from one well-known
individual the sum of $4,000.
All at once she left Philadelphia and
proceeded to New York. So great was
her fascinating influence and so marvel
lously we'll did she play her part, that
she became engaged to young man,
and report says married him. At all
events she dropped at this time the name
of Lizzie Blackford, and called herself
Mrs. Lizzie Feenix. The next heard Of
her was that she had sailed for Paris, in
company with a member of one of the
best known families in New York. She
figured also in other European capitals,
and at last it seems has made away with
$l75, 900 worth of royal diamonds.
a reporter of the Gaulots has just in
terviewed, at the Grand Hotel, Paris,
Miss Feenix BlackfOrd, the heroine in
the affair Of the robbery of diamonds by
the Grand Duke Nicholas from his
mother. This journal says:
She is slight and graceful in stature,
like a person of good family; not pretty,
but attractive. Unfortunately her teeth
have not the lustre Of the pearls in her
casket. In her conversation she calls
the Grand Duchess Constantine Ny
mother-inl law" She declares that the
only jewels distracted by the Grand
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