The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-24
BoNFANrI,s SECRET xARRIAoE.
Retired Merchants Ron Infatuated by one
OF the Black Crook Dancers.

When Judge Pratt in BROOKLYN yester-
day opened court ex-Judge DALEY, the counsel
for George Hoffman. In the suit with Hugh Nc
Culloch Co., the London bankers, said that
Mira. George J. Hoffman mile. Bonfanti, the
danseuse) was In the country, aud that they
hadn't yet obtained her afidavt. The argument
on the motion for new trial was accordingly
deferred for week. In 1871 George J. Hoffman.
the son Of the defendant, a retired merchant of
wealth, living at $50 Fifth avenue, this city. be-
came infatuated with Bonfanti, whom he had
seen In the ballet dance in the Black Crook"
lie was to he seen almost every night
In the same seat In Niblo's leading
the applause for her skilful prouettes
and watching her with lovers enthusiasm.
lie followed her about the country, stopping at
the same hotels, and running up large bills for
wines and delicacies. 1t Is estimated that he
squandered over 100000 before he was q years
old. lie spent all Inc money allowed him. and,
In addition. contracted debts that his father
was forced to pay. The elder Hoffman at length
refused to Indulge his son anv more, hut, on
promise OF reformation, gave him $4,000 to 70
INTO the commission business " ith friend. In
SIX months young Hoffman had scent this
money on Bonfanti ana he ~ Of parasites who
he was continually dining aud winng. His father
then ordered him To cease his relations with
Hontanti. aud change his life, or he should not
receive another dollar. Donfanti prepared TO
sail FOR Europe in 1872, and young Hoffman tried
TO get money to 40 with her. HIS father forbade
his going; and when Bonfanti sailed he was on
the same vessel with her, but only to bid her
adicu. lie soon followed her. and Joined her In
Paris. where they were married IN face Of his
want Of money. When Bonfanti was about to
become n mother, Young Hoffman wrote TO MIR.
j. II. Puloston, Of Messrs. McCulloch X Co., ask
ing for financial aid. He caused a telegram to
be sent to his father. informing him that he was
In trouble. and the elder Hoffman teleeraphed
for patticulats. Mr.. Puleston wrote, saving hat
George was IN trouble with woman. The elder
HOFFMAN wrote back, warning Mr.. Puleston not
to ,rls hin for cent; Mrs. Hoffman. however,
furnished hun with between 5000 and $4,000
Mr. y. Z. Holman, Georges elder brother, in
London. IN 1873. joined In draft on their father
IN favor Of the bankers to repay the loan. he
The bankers sued. George Hoffman returned
home IN lS13 leaving his wife IN a villa On Lake
Como. lIe said nothing about his marriage
Juef tef0re bis return he procured $50 sterling,
given to the bankers. Ito left f22j 81 this to a
certain persons y credit f15 for BOnfanti's
education IN an art school, and flOO for the sup
port OF their child. Ia the SUIT, the main testi-
muny for the plainir was the parole evidence
as to letter sud To have been written BY Geo.
Hoffman, ST., To Mr.. Puleston. authorizing MIN
TO pay the moneN his son asked for. Mr. HoH-
man denied this letter. but the jury gave a YER
dict TO the pl iOtins for the fun amount.
In January last George Hoffman died On the
DAY OF his funeral Bonfdnti appeared at the
house and announced herself, to the astoDisb-
ment OF the whole Hoffman family, TO be
Georges widow. After the burial the family
assumed friendly relations with Bonfantf but
she was earning good living on the stage.
Among her husbands y lpers she found letters
that establish the fact that tue bankers fur
nished the money without authorization from
IL made on the strength of this newly discov-
cred testimony.