The New York herald., 1877-03-23
A LOVE KNOT.

THE TANGLED WEB OF AN ALLEGED COURT
SHIP AND MARRIAGE--wAs THE ''DRIDE-
GROOM" PERsoNArEp, AND Is IT CASE or
BLAcKMAIL?
ROCHESTER,, n. T.. March 81. 1877
Cassius d. Worrell, one OF the weathcst citizens OF
niagara county has been sued for alimony and made
the defendant proceedings for divorce under circum
stances that have created great sensation throughout
this part of the State.
Worreil is farmer living about two miles from
LockporL The lady claiming TO be his wife is, was,
Miss Annie Bourne, OF Cory, Pa. She Is member OF
a prominent family IN that part OF Pennsylvania, ana
Is a handsome and highly accomplished woman. about
twenty tive years OF age worrcl is twenty seven.
The, plaintiffs story when summarized, is as fol-
ows:-In the summer Of 1875 Miss Bourne accom-.
panied her sister and brother n.law. Mr. and Mrs s.
Williams, ol Cory Oh visit to I.ockport Tho Will.
iamses we're old friends OF the worreil family, and
they went to tho farm, taking Mss Bourne with tnem
Mr. Worrcll, father OF the defendant, had died some
months before leaving his his heir aud charge
OF an invalid mother Tho latter had long been sui.
ferer from In the neck and at the time o the
visit OF tho party was very sick and not hKeiy to
live long Miss Bourne by tender care OF
tho invalid became great favorte with her,
aud, as she declares, young iarmcr Bourne became
enamored Of her and pressed her TO become his wife.
She did not bring herself Tho point of accepting his
hand until some time after his mothers DEATH which
occurred while she in the house. On the I'D OF
September following she came 10 Rochester with
worrcll and whic here sho consented TO so with HIM
and be married They called the residence oi tho
Rev. Dr. Strattan, and in presence OF third party.
were made man and wife. Alter the ceremony worren
told his wile that he wished the marriage kept
for time, giving reason that he WAS engaged IN
tne OF hls ltners estate and Tho iact that
"A kan iphL hle ,li
satisfaction and annoyance The young vile dcnurred
to TINS arrangement but at last 10 please her husband
she agreed 10 Conceal tho relation she had assumed.
The time ior The public acknowledgment ol her as his
vile Worrcll liked rs year from tho day oi Their
marriage when he would have the ccrelnony again
performed and nsate her as mistress vi Worrcll larm
WIN tins understanding tue bride returned 10 her
home III Pcnns ylvania Miss Annie Bourne anu the
groom went home 10 his tarni.
A lew days before the day when she to be recog.
nizcd by Worrcl she wrote h.in that sue had CON-
pleled all her arrangements ior tho rcmarriage and
suggested that rs she had been invited TO 10 to New
York with some friends, he might meet her III that city
and nave tho ceremony performed there. To this let.
ter Worrell responded that the arrangement
rely satisfactory that he would be III the city the
day agreed upon when they would proceed together TO
the Centennia Exhibition As bridal tour. Miss Bourne
went 10 Now YORK. Tho ia oil September came, but
Worrcll dd not come aud no hing Was heard from HIM
Tor some days, when his wIfc received despatch rom
him. II was dated Philadelphia and stated that he
was very sick thcre but as soon AS ho was able he
would be in New YORK and claim her. Alter waiting
week or two tho disappointed wie returned home,
determined TO take 10 secure her rights
Armed with her marriage certificate she went W
Lockport and presented herself 10 Worrcli at his
iarm aud made her demand for recognition. He
fegncd great aazemeni she says ami referred her 10
his lawyer Finding that all pleading 70 him for JUS
tcc was OF no avail she went 10 hls lawyers. Mcssrs
Potter Brundagc. She ~as then mot with the dccn-
ration that her marriage ccrIcatc lar as IL related
To Mr.. Worrc AS one OF the parties, Was fraud and
that their client did not propose " be black mailed
She thereupon sought legal counsel herself.
woRRELL's STORY
Worrell'S version ot the affair essentially different
He corrcspoudct with Mss Bourne for some time, but
never having been IN love with her he finally ceased
writing and gave uD all idea ol marrying ncr He says
that Miss Bourne has certificate OF marriage with
him some ono else pcrsdhated him during The ccrc-
mony and that Tho whole thing Is scheme to extort
money from him. lle does not make any charges
against MISS Bourne but thinks she IS merely tool in
the hands OF Others.
trial comes up that Will sartc tho public still
than have the circumstances already known.