The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-29
4 BRIDGEPORT SCANDAL.
Gross suits for Divorce - Reconciliation Fol-
lowed by an Attempt at Suicide.

BRIDGEpoRT June 2s.-Poter Richie, a
middle-aged Scotchman and n butcher swal-
lowed 10 grains ofstrychnine on Tuesday after
noon on account Of the distress he felt over an
alleged scandal OF which himself and a mar
ried woman were the subjects. Both are active
members OF the 0livet Congregational Church.
Their church associations caused them 10 be
frequently together. and led to an intimacy
which the wife OF one and the husband OF the
other did not until lately suspect OF being faint
ed with improperly. About three weeks ago the
names Of Richie and the woman were coupled
in some reports very damaging to their moral
character. These reports were chiefly clrcu-
lated by two OF the male members OF the church.
and caused n commoton surprising that occa-
stoned by the suit in which J. J. Dunlap the
treasurer Of Olivet Church. lately received s25
damages from the Rev. Allan Clark. the pastor
for defamation OF character.
The reports finally became so obtrusive that
Ritchte requested the church to Investigate the
case or allow him to Withdraw from member
ship. In place OF this the pastor wrote an
agreement 10y which Richie and the woman
covenantod to see each other as little AZ posi-
gossip. This, however. failed TO quiet the Cos
sins. Ms was hoped. and on Monday night the
Church Committee. Of which Richie a
member, held meeting TO consider the scan
DIAL but did not then decide whether to formally
investigate the case or allow Richie and the
In the mean time Mrs. Richie had henrd the
scandalous reports and believing her husband
guilty. began on June Is divorce proceedings
against him on the ground Of iniidelity. The
next day Richie brought n counter petition.
| On Friday he went to his wife at their house.
| almost frantic with excitement. and. brandish-
| ing pistol. threatened To XIII her and himself
| unless she withdrew her divorce suit. The
| wife, aided by her little daughter. managed to
| keep Richie from doing any harm with his piss
| toll, and Immediately aferward consented to
withdraw her petition. rs he desired. She said
| that she did not do this through fear. but be-
| cause she concluded on fuller investigation.
| that her husband had been slandered and that
| he had not been untrue to her. On Tuesday
| both parties took from their lawyers and de-
stroyed the papers prepared in the two divorce
| suits. Among these documents was n letter
| which the accused woman wrote TO Mrs Richie,
| begging her forgiveness II she had caused her
any injury.
| On the afternoon OF the day on which tho
| reconciliation was completed Richie wrote I'm
uffcctionRte farewell note to his wife. and took
| large dose OF strychnine. When the poison
began to knaw he repented OF his rashness. and
swallowed n lot Of beef brine for mn emetic. II
caused him 20 vomt violently. and undoubtedly
| saved his life, rs the quantity OF strychnine
| taken by him was sufficient to have killed ten
| men. He Is still Frustrated and In pain from
the effects OF the poison. but will recover. Two
| or three days ago the Rev. Allan Clark wrote
| and left with the Ritchies n statement denying
| that he had reported or intmated that there
| was ever any crimnality between Mr.. Richie
| and the accused woman.