The daily gazette., 1878-04-27
Mrs. DR.. Ridgeway's Story
The Defendant in u Divorce
Suit Telling Her History.
THE BEAUTY OF HYDE EPARK-pLENTy OF
MONEY AND TITLED AcQUAINTANcEs
SIZZLING A TIARA OF DIAMONDS
WHAT TIE HUSBAND SAYs

WHAT THE HUSBAND SAYS.
The reading of the testimony in the
divorce suit of DR. Thomas Il. Ridgeway
of Red Bank, n. Y, against Harriet Il.
Ridgeway, was begun before Vice-Chan-
cellor Van Fleet in Newark on Wednes-
day The testimony fills two very large
volumes, and it will take five days to
read 1t. Among the important witnesses
in the case were John II. Paterson, ex-
Doorkeeper of the House of Represt n
tatives; William Hendrickson, Jonathan
X. Ingling, proprietor of the NelC Jersey
Standard, and other well-known citizens
of Monmouth county. Mr.. Applegate
of Red Bank is counsel for Ridge
way, and ex.Gov. Parker for Mrs. Ridge
way.
DIR. Bidgeway and the defendant were
in Court yesterday, DIR. Ridgeway is a
son of Thomas Ridgeway. the President
of the Girard Insurance Company of
Philadelphia. He is a small man with
dark hair, and light brown whiskers and
| mustache. He Is confident that he will
win his suit. Mrs. Ridgeway sued for
divorce in 1876 on the ground of adultery
and was unsuccessful and then began
proceedings en- the same ground.
Mrs. r dgewav, the defendant, is
beautiful and brilliant woman. She had
dark hair, fair complexion and large,
expressive brown eyes. She Is a bril-
liant talSer, and is 80 years of age. She
| was dressed in black yesterday, and in
her ears were diamond pendants. Mrs.
Ridgeway related the following story of
her life "My father, Thomas Fletcher,
was retired English gentleman He
| owned magnificent town house in Ken
sington, London, and country house,
Brook Hall, at Woolwich. My mother
had property in Hammersmith, by her
own right. and papa had property in
Greenwich and Blackheath. We were
very comfortable. | was born at Ken
sington and had French governess, two
maids and other attendents suitable to
our station. One of my sisters married
George Brownlow of st. Adams Road,
| Kensington, a distinguished barrister,
who makes $4,000 year. Another sis
ter married George Holmes, we'll
known London barrister. My brother,
George w. Fletcher, is Il wealthy Lon
don merchant, and he is coming after me
as soon as this suit is closed. Mymother
died when she heard of the scandal
! brought upon me in this country.
| "When / was 154 years old | married
George Littsome Elliott, ex-Judge of
Bombay, who gave me $4,000 rs mar
riage portion. After trip on the Conti-
nent we settled in his mansion, Hyde
Park, opposite the park gate. ] used to
ride on horseback in the park every fine
day, and when | passed people would
ask, who is sheT oh, l was a adashing-
beauty of the park. l was presented to
the Queen, went to the court ball, hunt
ed with the Queens hounds and was in
at the death of many fine stag, for L
could ride like trooper. l was at the
wedding of the Prince, and was on visit
ing terms with Lady Bertha Wilson, the
Countess of Guildford, the Viscountess
l nI, ,nIl DIV To
laine, Lady Clifford, the Hon. Emily
Ring, Lord Lovell's sister, and other ii
tied ladies. Oh, you want to know about
| the nobemen? We won't speak about
them, for I've had enough of them.
| "My life with the Judge was happy
one. | had 100000 worth of jewels, a
magnificent wardrobe, for, dear soul, he
was so in love he could not refuse me
anything. We had six kinds of wine
at dinner, and had the best people as
guests, for theJudge was highly honored.
| The great dignitaries from India were
| given reception at our house. But
when the Judge died, twelve years ago,
/ was terrified, for had lived only in
him. On his death bed he said to his
brother, Take care of Harry he called
me so always; she is young and innocent
and needs care
| "After the Judges death, travelled
on the Continent, visiting France,
Spain, Russia, Italy and a portion of
| Egypt | had been in some of these
places with my husband. After my
mourning had the offer of marriage
| In 1872 / met first that little beast over
there at the Hotel Deveaux in Paris. |
was introduced to him by a wealthy
Irish lady, Miss Blake, and | wish had
never met her. 1t was at the ball of the
Etablssement. We met also at Boulogne
sur-mer He followed me to London, and
finally introduced him to good society.
He courted me through my mother-in-
law, but my brother did not like him. |
married him not that L cared for his rich
parents, for | was rich. We were
married on Oct. 13, 1873 and at my
graud marriage reception, when the
park was filed with carriages, the little
beast went off into the dining room to
read book, and my sister had to call
him out.
In January, 1874 we came to this
country and stopped with his father on
Walnu. street, Philadelphia. L had S25.-
600 IN cash, besides S3O,0u0 worth OF
lgive him spending money. The elder
Mr.. Ridgeway ,ied up my property IN
real estate so that [ cannot get it, Well.
lin July we went TO Long Branch and
stopped at Howland's, and | visited
President Grant, Mr.. Chllds, Mr.. DreX-
ell, of Nj organ ~ DteXal, you Knew, VINO
are my bankers. Gen. Bingham's family
were very nice, and Mr.. Ghilds is dear,
sweet man. [ was at their receptions
In September we rented the Sheppard
House, in Red Bank, and l hau to buy
all the furniture. | had to sell a valuable
tiara of diamonds at Tifauy's. That
little beast treated me Icruelly, and was
so Jealous that he bribed servants and
toWnspeople to watch me and report II
any one spoke to me. Why, he was
Jealous of even Mr.. Paterson and Sena.
Tor Hendrickson. Ny sister, who came
to see us, went home in disgrace on ac'
count of him. He beat me and struck
me. aud was reduced to ninety five
, pounds. Finally l left HIM in june
1875, and sued for divorce in 1876, but
! failed to get it, so l had to remain iu
America L have since been living IN
Fifth avenue, New York, and L Otter
sing in the churchesHand paint for pleas
ure. Twas the painter of cur family
and after came to America | painted
one picture every year for my mother
panied Safe in tn Arms of Jesu,, anu
in another year painted my own por
, trait, sitting before a mirror WheI
mother died, It was buried on her hea1l
by her request Iplay the guitar very
nicely, aud the piano peak French auC