The Ottawa free trader., 1878-01-19
Charge Of Matrimonial Lunacy.

New York society is now agitated by puz-
zlng question of Mrs. Annette Wilhcmina
wilkins Hicks The name itself is the hrgin.
ming of the puzzle, for no one seems to know
who was Hicks, and wilkins is still deeper in
the dark Mrs. Hicks has been for some sea
sons playing wealthy American lady in Paris
and London and other European capitals and
she managed somehow to get into the best
society on the credit of that title, while society
at home was entirely ignorant of her history,
character and even existence. In London, re
Gently, she dincd Gen. Grant and gave him
one of the only two receptions originated by
and participated in by Americans. One was
by the American minister, and the other by
'an American lady named Mrs. Hicks" as
the London press set it down, for want Of Il
clearer designation. At this reception many
of the most illustrious names in English so
cety were reported as present. After this
there were in the papers various allusiOnS to
Mrs Hicks, and much curiosity was excited to
know who and what Mrs Hicks was, who did
things so brilliantly. Nobody was able to find
out anything more about her than that she was
an American lady of wealth and style had got
into English high life and had dined the dis
tinguished American general and eX-presldent
while he was being tctcd in London. There is
something else to tell now. Mrs. Hicks has
burst upon New York. She arrived three
weeks ago, and has already created society
sensation of the first magnitude. Mr. Thomas
Lord is retired merchant millionaire of New
YOrk-aged S3-with four sons and two daugh.
tcrs, all fully grown The other day Cardinal
McCloskey privately married Mr. Thomas
Lord and Mrs. Hicks. The marriage was an
nounCed in the papers two days after, and this
was the first Mr. Lords family of children
knew of it. 1t was then ascertaincd that Mr..
and Mrs Lord had gone off touring 1t is pre-
sumcd to Florida. The difference between the
ages of the bride and groom is only forty years.
She is, therefore, buXom and blooming forty
three Mr. Lords children Immediately took
steps to have the marriage set aside, and have
presented petition for commission in luna,
cy They arctaking advantage of the old man
on his bridal tour. But they say in afidavits
that their father is deprived of his reason
through old age, and is incapable of governing
himself or the management of his property.
They claim that the dashing widow, whose
purse has been depleted by her eytravagant
style of living, has victimized the old man for
money. He lately turned all his bonds and
notes that were available into money, and cvi-
IDENTIFY prepared for the matrimonial venture
with some management and discretion 1t also
appears that Mr.. Lord has been in receipt of
an annual income of $4,000, while his per
sonal expenses did not exceed $25,000 This
looks as if he might be capable Of of man
aging his property A man that can save
800, 900 year out of $l25,000 income shows
some fitness for business and ought to be Caps.
BILE of making contracts Of any kind The
octogcnarian doubtless wanted q wife and felt
able to keep one. But his children pray for a
commission in lunacy to restrain him of his
liberty and take the management Of his prop
erty out of his hands. What Mrs. Hicks has
been, or is, docs Eot come into this question Of
Lords lunacy at all. But Mr.. Lords marry
ing Mr. Hicks doubtless made the first and
entire suggestion that the old man was mad
81. LoUiS RepubiicoH