Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-13
l L IN HIS RAW
A C~IandestIne Marriage, a Conditional
Legacy, and How the Condition was
AVOIded---A Story Of Love,
Hate, Marriage, Divorce,
and a Happy Terml-
nation.
New York HERALD

NORWICH, Conn, Dec. 6, 1S79.-
An affair has just come to light in this
city which has created quite a sensa-
ton, inasmuch as the parties have
moved in the highest circle of society
and afluence. The persons involved
are Edward +, Chase, son of Samuel
Chase, Of New Bedford, formerly a sea
captain, and Miss Mary A. Naples, a
daughter of the late James Naples,
one of the wealthiest farmers in the
State.
HOW THEY MET.
Edward first became known in this
city about six years ago. He opened
a shoe store on one Of the principal
streets and lived in fine style, possibly
beyond his means, for he failed shortly
and has been unemployed since. Dur
ing his mercantile business among his
many lady customers he made the ac-
quantance of Miss Mary, with whom
he soon became more and more inti-
mate, until finally that intimacy grew
into an infatuation and she appeared
no longer to control her own actions.
Her father protested against Chase's
visits and even went so far as to turn
him out Of his house several times. 1t
is known in addition to this that
Mary's brother had actually threatened
to shoot Chase if he persisted in visit
ing his sister, so great was the family
dislike for him. In consequence of
this, Mary being of an u~nyielding dis
position, their meetings were necessa-
rily clandestinely held.
THE MARRIAGE.
Time passed on and they were mar
ried on February 10, 1874. The
father, aggrieved and respondent at
the action of his daughter and the loss
of his own wife a short time before,
finally died. AT the funeral several
special policemen were stationed at
the gates and avenues leading thereto
to keep Chase from entering.
THE FATHERS WILL.
In the will, which bequeathed the
large estate to the heirs, was a proviso
that forbade Mary entering into pos
session of or controlling in any way
her share while she lived with Chase,
and also stating that Chase should
never be benefited thereby. Every
thing has been done to thwart the
father purposes in this regard by the
Chases, but without success. Edward
and Mary, not having any control Of
the legacy, were slowly but surely be-
ing brought down to poverty. People
refused him credit, and even the ROOT
over their heads was sold.
DIVORCE OBTAINED.
Such wal the history and condition
Of the Chases when a petition was
sent into the November term of the
Superior Court by Mary Chase pray
ing for divorce from her husband Ed.
ward on grounds of "intolerablt
cruelty" No one probably in thi!
section ever anticipated such a thing
knowing they lived in perfect harmon
and felicity.
The divorce was granted and Mar
Naples then presented her claim fot
, the property, asserting that she wa
no longer the wife of Chase, whiel
was corroborated by her presenting
her divorce papers to the trustees
who Immediately gave the control O
the property, which consists Of houses
bank stock and bonds worth thou
sands Of dollars into her hands.
AGAIN UNITED.
Edward and Mary again met as Low
Z ers, and at the end of two days, tn
sequel shows, they were once NOR
I united in the bonds of holy matri
mOny. The wedding tour No. 2 wa
{ not as extended as the first, and tn
Z ceremony throughout conducted on
; strictly private scale, without ostenta
= ton.