The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-04-19
THE TORRES DIVORCE.


CURIOUS THEORY OF Mr.. o'ooNoR = HE
THINKS 1T GREW OUT OF THE BUILDING
OF FoNTHILL CAsTLF.
In the statement presented to the New
York Bar Association by Mr.. Charles
O'Conor in defense of his conduct in the
Forrest divorces case, which had been i'm
pugned by the New York Times, occurs
the following curious explanation: The
controversy between Mr.. and Mrs. For
rest as now view IL, was a very extraor-
dir ary one. Mr.. Forrest possessed great
talents, and unless his acts in that contro-
versy be made subject OF censure, be has
no blemish upon his name. He laoorsd
diligently as an actor, and was emf nently
successful. Though capable, a. was seen,
OF great generosity, he was always ex
tremely economical. The spirit which
guided him in this was proved in bis dy-
ipg hour. 1t seems he bad devoted him.
st II through life to an object which many
will deem most lsudable. He aimed at
establishing, on the most iudicious scale,
| an institution which should afford to I'M
fortunate and decsyed members of his pro-
fession an ssy lum In their need, and which
should also perpetuate the memory OF his
| own name and virtues. He married
Cstharine Sinclair when she was
but nineteen years OF age. SPEAK
only witness examined to the point said
"She was TO me perfection. Sne was the
most sautiful vision / ever saw" Until
| their unfortunate separation, she was uni
iormly dutiful as one who deemed wife
bound to "obsy." She was respectful and
sffectionste in her demeanor to Mr.. For
res; she was prudent and economical in
her expenses, keeping and rendering as
| REQUIRED by him exact accounts of them.
Il his theatrical WardrOhcGs Qha
made long journeys for and with him, and
she constantly and diligently labored to
serve him. She was the light of his house.
| By her accom- plishments and her lady-like
| carriage in the presence of bis friends and
visitors, she gratifed his pride immeasur-
ably, and, no doubt, advanced his inter-
eats. When the separation took place
(Is49) her beauty, though perhaps changed
/ TO a more sedate mould, was undimiuished;
and that ne then still loved her and had
the most absolute confidence in her purity
[ have always firmly believed. Why he
put her away from him can only be sub
| ject of conjecture. Ever since the trial In
1852 mine has been what will now state.
Some year or two before the separation
the project OF
THE ASYLUM FOR DEcAYED ACTORS
was entered upon. The couple agreed to
erect suitable building on the banks o.
the Hudson, 10 use it rs dwelling house
during their lives and then to leave IL fol
the Actors Home. VITA residue of Mr.
Forests fortune as an endowment. This
involved the notion Of palatial residence
lcSstiDga large sum for the house an6
furnl,ure at the outset. IL would necessi
tate considerable yearly outlay in main
tanning style commensurate to appear
auces; Mr.. Forrest probably had not az thu
NfrsxA emf Hnfa .fw MAJ 10 IN n.aTr
expenditure. The devotion OF his whole
time to labor as an itinerant theatrical stsl
would scarcely have produced q sufficient
income properly to maintain "Fonthil
CASTLE" with its queenly mistress. Mrs
Forrest thought not of expense. Sht
thought of little but ex scouting the wishes
of her husband. Probably she was quite
question, and, unfortunately, her hus.
band did not give il due reflection. The
sepai alton occurred just at the moment
when this Fonthill enterprise had reached
a stage which caused Mr.. Forrest
to perceive its probable effect
upon his fortune and the dreary future 10
| which it's completion would necessarily
involve him. His castle was in the high
way OF travel, it had attracted great stten.
tiop, and how to recede was q difficult
problem. Accustomed to live upon that
applause of the minimizing which changes
to scorn on the hero's failure in anything
he shrunk from the idea that, in popular
parlance, "FoDthill Castle" should change
its name to Forests Folly land, fol
want OF a better contrivance, he deter
mined to have quarrel with his wife, fol
some private cause not to be explained
The breaking up OF bis family would, 81
course, afford reason tor relirquishirp
his rural residence; and, deemiDg his wife
subservient TO his pleasures in all things
he supposed that she would submit TO his
vagsry, and that, after he had gotten rid
OF the castle and few months bad elapsed
there could DO makeup and all would
be well. But, IS might have been ex-
pected, this Singular contrivauce failed
One mistake led to another, and the ju-
dlcial controversy in question resulted
If, in this judgment OF the evidence,
have done any wrongto Mr. Forrest, such
10 not roy OBJECT. l imagine It to be Just
nor will &c be easy to reach any result
more in his favor.
| THE DEADLY STOCKING