The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-15
MRS. BHLKNAP INTERVIEWED.
A Denial or sensatIousI Stories.

following Interview or Mrs. Belknap by
q lady:
Mrs. Belknap came down, greeting me
oan resist. She WIS plainly dressed in
heavy black silk; q simple knot of
cherry ribbon fastened the ruche at her
throat; the soft. dark hair WAS simply
parted, and a dainty little cap OF French
muslin, with cherry ribbons, covered
her head. Not a bit of jewelry was visi-
bic. We talked In low tones, as one
would talk in the presence OF death.
said: "Mrs. Belknap, you must
know that there are terrible rumors
afioat, and am anxious to help you IL l
can. 1t is said that you are furious be-
cause thUse so much more guilty are
striving 10 build upon your ruin, and the
papers are lull Of statements purport-
ing 10 cOme from you."
''THEY ARE UTTERLY FALSE"
she replied slowly aud sadly. ait is
very bard to keep still, very hard TO know
no" am slandered, and TO be told that
must seal my lips. But l must obey
General Befknap's counsel, and 1 have
said nothing 10 any one."
did you know Mrs. Williams, the
wife of the late Attorney General, was
in town, and that, exulting in your sor-
row, she is telling the most infamous
stories ?''
Il did not know that she was here, but
she may say what she likes. ] only
wish that every woman on earth who
knows anything of me or of my life
would come forward and tell all that she
knows. I hope Mrs. Williams will tell
everything she Chooses. My lie has not
been one,of concealment."
ibid you not give authority for the
story published by the GraphicY
"What story2 Ihayenot seen news
paper. know nothing Of what has been
said. have given no authority for any
statement whatever"
lrepeated the Graphic's assertion that
she had employed Mr.. Marsh to invest
the amount of MIR. Bowers Lille policy.
and that, without any agreement what
ever, he had voluntarily presented her
with half the amount received from Mr..
Evans.
'sIt Is false entirely.
IHAvE SAID NO SUCH THING.
/ must not say any thing. however, about
these money matters"
'tDid you see Mrs. Marsh at the Ar
lington? WAS there anything then said
about your receiving $70,080 from Mr..
PendleJonT
"Not one word. never had sous
from Mr. Pendleton for any help In any
matter. O1course. i heard OF The Ken
tucky Central r silroad just as any lady
IN Washington hears Of any claim which
excltes general attention. Mr., Pendle.
ton was interested in it, and because he
happened to be friend OF mine people
maliciously connected his success
with my position, but / never had one
cent nor my husband either. The Gem;
eral only asks that all his affairs NAV be
fully investigated. He hopes that they
will summon from every post all the wit.
nesses possible; that they will examine
all the papers and records OF the War
Department.. He has come out OF this
poor man; he has not any thing; every
penny we have belongs to me, and when
this is done we shall have precious
little. How we are to live or what we
are to do /, can not think"
'Some one has spread yhe report that
you declare it is In your power to ruin
the Governments; that you have said that
the President, Mrs. Grant, General Bah
cock, Secretary and Mrs. Robson form
ring whose transactions are infamous.
and that il they dare proceed against
General Belknap you.will publish affairs
which will send 0thers to the Peniten. :
tiary."
The sad eyes opened widely, and Bit
OF gleam flashed into them. but Mrs. Bel
KNAPP answered with quiet emphasis: 4
Il know nothing OF General or Mrs. j
Grant but what 10 to their credit. Ineyer
have known anything wrong about him.
He has
ALWAYS BEEN PERFECTLY HONORABLE
"Did you 60 to see Mrs. Blackburn,
carrying your baby, and beg for mercy :"
"Neverl Neyerl MFs. Blackburn i
have known all my life, and when she
came here called upon her frequently.
sent my carriage for her use, and /
gave a dinner to her and her lister, Mrs,
Bramlette." 1s.
"Have You seen her since the action
Of the oommitteef'
"Yes, she came to see me as friend,
I told her the topic of our misfortunes
must not be discussed at all. j am say.
ing more to you tonight than j have
SAID to any one. Mrs. Blackburn wished
me to see her husband, but / answered,
No; our husbands lives are widely sey-
cred forever." "
Said /, cit is contemptible and cow
ardly that public opinion has laid all |!
the blame at your door because you are
q woman. There are many who give |
you their pity; many who earnestly
WISH c'.os oAS pVaAh may 5VuouOW Ue Te-
moved"
"Thank you. 1t win all come right |
some day, though the waiting seems |
loug. Vengeance is In better hands than |
cars. 1 am sure my husband will not |
be so severely blamed when allis known.
+ or my self do not care SO much.S
alp, u,
Eyes, many Of them come, but make |
Il condition OF our interview that this 1
subject must not be broached. Some of |
Lhem are afraid to come"
Just then she was called from the |
room for q moment, and sat looking at |
ler portrait, taken only year ago-a |
picture SO fair that one might doubt if |
ts original existed-at the piano where |
he baby was always throned, and then, |
IS she entered, l rose TO take my leave, |
,ut she was anxious the General should |
,ear the story about the President, SO
The called him and repeated 1t.
'Do you hear thatP she asked; "I
lave told Mrs. ---- that we never knew
anything about President Grant that |
vas not good. IL not that truefD
ut is, most certainly" said the Gen.
,ral.
"There; wanted my husband to say |
hat to you. Please be sure that that is
printed. The report is an awful false
lood."