The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-26
ROMANCE AND DIVORCE.

ROMANCE AND DlfOhOE.
THE PROCURING OF DIVORCE FROM AN IN
VALID wIFE-A Celebrated SCHOLAR -
THE PErrr1oNER-A STRANGE MARRIAGE.
The louisville Commercial gives the fol-
lowing as an authentic history: There was
a time when Indiana was notorious as the
state where divorce was made easy to the
dissatisfied husband or wife. Residents
of every state in the Union have en-
joyed the peculiar privileges winch
the Lax laws of Indiana for many years al
forded. Happily these laws have since been
wisely modified, and a legal separation of
man and wife can be obtained quite as
easily in many other states NOW floyd
and Clark counties are SORT OF dretna
Green tor impetuous Kentucky lovers, and
the hearts OF parsons, magistrates and land
lords are made happy with the frequent de-
mands made upon them by the clipping
swain of sister state. The senatorial con-
test in Wisconsin, between Matt. Carpenter
and DR.. o. w. Wight, has brought into rec
objection a romantic incident in connection
with the life of DIR. Wight, which may prove
interesting TO our readers: In the fall oil
1865 DIR. Orlando w. Wight came to New
Albany, accompanied by his invalid wife and
a lady named Miss Caroline Ii. Chamber
iain the latter represented to be the COM
paniOn of Mrs. Wight. Il was claimed
that il was the intention of the party TO go
TO Memphis to get the benefit OF more
genial climate, but the unsettled condition
of affairs in that section az the time had pre-
vented that part OF the plan being carried
out and residence was taken in New
Albany. DIR. Wight had the reputation of
being a literary man OF some distinction-a
man who had
TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY IN EUROPE,
and possessing rare talents and fund Of
humor, was admitted into the best
society. His remarkable store of knowledge
and the polish of foreign travel and long
acquaintance with men of the highest Gull
ture, gave him the open sesame to the best
society, and he was feted and courted by
thes ton. His travels in Europe had been
at the expense OF his wife's fortune,
1t was said, as he was without fortune at the
time of his marriage. He had translated
the works of the eminent French author,
Cousin, and had edited the books Of Sir Will
liam Hamilton. He had written many
brilliant articles for the North American
Review and the New Highlander, and was
the translator besides of many of the best
French authors. Mrs. Wight was a beau
tiful woman, but, unhappily, was subject
at times 10 fits of epilepsy, which had i'm
paired her intellect TO some extent. She
rarely ever received company, and Miss
Chamberlain usually entertained visitors
and made excuses for Mrs. Wight. The
summer of 1856 was spent by DR.. Wight
and the ladies on Lake Pepin, Minnesota.
At the fall term of the Floyd Circuit Court,
at New Albany, DIR. Wight made
APPLICATION FOR DIVORCE,
on the plea OF his wife's disease, which, he
alleged, rendered her mentally and physi-
cally unfit to be his wife. The case was
heard by Judge Bicknell, and it was found
that there existed not a shadow of ground
for divorce. One of the strangest features
Of the proceeding was that paper was pre-
sented purporting to come from Mrs. Wight,
in which she consented TO the proposed seps
ration. Miss Chamberlin appeared as an i'm
portant witness on behalf of the plaintiff
Judge Bicknell refused to grant the divorce,
and administered severe reprimand to the
applicant. He had married her in the youth
full bloom of msidenhood, when she pos
sessed wealth and all the accomplishments
which culture and refinement could bestow.
Now that she was stricken with disease, it was
against the spirit of humanity and of public
policy that she should be cast adrift upon
the world without the protection which q
husband can only afford. Nothing more
was heard of the affair until the spring of
1857, when the people of New Albany were
startled with the announcement that DIR.
Wight had secured divorce in the Hunt
ington Circuit Court, the same having been
obtained on exparte testimony, Miss Cham
berlaiD being the chief witness. On Mon
day, April 8, 1867,
THE WHOLE SECRET
of the affair became patent to every one
DIR. Wight obtained license from the clerk
of Floyd county to marry Miss Chamber
lain. The marriage took place that after
noon, Rev. T. G.. Carver, then rector of st.
Paups Episcopal Church. officiating. 1t
was . most remarkable fact that the
deposed wife stood up with the bride
and groom, and congratulated them at
the close of the ceremony. Thus under the
sanctity of q religious service the mockery
of a marriage was performed, and the poor.
deposed wife played part in the sad drama.
The people Of New Albany were justly in
dignant at the mockery, and DIR. Wight aud
his robust bride and the divorced invalid
left the city to seek home elsewhere. DIR.
Wight finally settled in Oconomo~oc, WIS,
where the party lived about two years, when
Miss Chamberlain died. We understand
that Mrs. Wight is now in an asylum In the