The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-03-14
Scandal Incidents.
INTERVIEW WITH MRS. BsLESkP--HgR SIDE or
THE STORY.
From tho W as1,spQton correspondence Of the New


FROM tho Washington correspondence Of the New
York Herald]
Rumor has asserted here that Mrs. Bekuar
has made threats against the peace OF, tht
Republican party that abe declares there
are facts in her possession which would ruiz
the Government and show some high men Il
be the basest on earth, with much more o.
The same sort. A lady who visited Mrs
Belknap tonight furnishes the following &C.
count of her visit: .-..
A rosy-cheeked English girl opened the
door. had perclled message upon the
card sent, and heard upstairs hasty
conference in low tones. Then Mrs. Belknsp
came down. greeting me in her own charm.
ing way--a way that no one can resist. She
was plainly dressed Ia heavy black silk q
simple knot of cherry ribbon fastened the
ruche at her throat; the soft, dark hair was
simply parted, and dainty little cap OF
French muslin, with cherry ribbons, covered
her hesd. Not bit Of jewelry was visible.
We talked in low tones, as one would talk In
the presence OF death. sa
said " Mrs. Belknap, you must know
that there are terrible rumors afoat, and I
am very anxious TO help you If can. 1t is
said that you are furious because those so
much more guilty are striving to build upon
your ruin, and the papers are full Of state.
mcnts purporting to come from you"
"They are utterly false" she replied
slowly and sadly. g. It is very hard to keep
still, very hard to know how am slandered
and to be told that must seal my lips. But
| must obey General Belknap's counsel, and
| have said nothing to any one."
"Did you know Mrs. Williams, the wife
of the late Attorney General, was in town,
and that. eXulting in your sorrow, she is
L., tl,, in
~ did not Know that she was here, but
she may say what she likes. I only wish
that every woman on earth who knows any.
thing Of me or my life would come forward
aud tell all that she knows. | hope Mrs.
Williams will tell everything she chooses.
Ny life has not been one OF concealment."
"Did you not give authority for the story
published in the Graphic?"
"Whst story? | have not seen newspa-
Der. know nothing Of what has been said.
| have given no authority for any statement
whatever"
repeated the Grnphic's assertion that she
had employed Mr.. Marsh to invest the
amount of Mr. Bowers's life policy, and
that, without any agreement whatever, be
bad voluntarily presented her with half the
amount received from Evans.
cit is false entirely. / have said no such
thing. | must not say anything, however,
abou, these money matters"
odd you see Mrs. Marsh at the ArliD g.
, ton? Was there anything then said about
your receiving $4,000 from MIR. Pendle-
ton:"
t nNot one word. l never had sou from
Mr.. PeDdleton for any help in any matter.
! OF course l heard 0: the Kentucky Central
railroad, Just as any lady in Washington
| 1,;, tl,nt
, ton. Mr.. Peudlcton was interested in it.
! and because he happened to be friend OF
, mine, people maliciously connected bis sue.
cess with my position; but never bad one
cent, nor my husband either. The General
only asks that all his affairs may be fully in
, vestigated. He hopes that they will summon
from every post all the witnesses possible
: that they will examine all the papers and re.
: cords Of the War Department. He has come
out Of this q poor man he has not any
thing; every penny We have belongs to me,
: ADD when this is done We shall have precious
little. How we are to live or what we are
! to DO / cannot think"
"Some one has spread the report that you
declare it is in your power to ruin the Gov.
, ernment; that you have said that the Presi'
dent Mrs. Grant, General Babcock, Secre.
: ,ary and Mrs. Robson, form ring whose
transactions are infamous, and that if they
dare proceed against General Belknap you
: will publish sffIirs which will send others to
the penitentiary."
The sad eyes opened widely and bit o.
CLEAN q :shed into them, but Mrs. BelknaI
answered with quiet emphasis
! "Iknow nothing of General or Mrs. Grant
: hut what is TO their credit. I never have
known anything wrong aoout him. He has
always been perfectly honorable"
Did you go to see Mrs. Blackburn, car
rving your baby, aud beg for mercy?"
"Never. Never Mrs. Blackburn l have
, known all my life, aud when she came here
r | called upon her frequently. sent my car.
' riagc for her USE, and gave dinner to hel
t and her sister, Mrs. Bramle,te."
Have you seen Der since the action Of the
5 commitiee?"
= = Yes; she came to see me as friend.
told her the topic Of our misfortunes must
y not be discussed at all. I am saying more to
- you to-ngh. than I have said to any one
5 Mrs. Blackburn wished me to see her hus.
band, but | answered, No; our husbands
lives are widely severed forever"
G Said l., 1t is contemplate and cowardly
c that public opinion has laid al the blame al
4 your door because you are woman. There
< are masy VINO give you their pity: many
3 Whe earnestly wish that the stain may some
( how be removed"
r "Thank you. 1t will all come right some
t day, though che waiting seems long. Ven
geance is in better hands than ours. am sure
nv husband will not be so severely blamed
: when all is known. For myself | do no
/ care so much"
G Have your friends visited you at alp"
: Eyes, many Of them come, but make j
a condition IF our interview that this sub
l ject must not be preached. Some OF then
q are afraid to cone"