Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-07
MRS. GENERAL GRANGER's SUIT.
The Romance OF Her Marriage to Cap
tain Blair-The Captains Story.
[From the New York sun1

An action has been begun in the Su-
preme Court for the annullment of the
marriage of Captain Thomas Blair to
the widow of General Gordon Granger.
Her complaint, by Elliott F. Shepard,
her counsel, sets forth her marriage
with the Captain in the State of Ken
lucky; his previous and existing mar
rage with Annie Bailie, Of which she
first learned at the time Of the court
martial proceedings; that she has not
cohabited with him since, and prays
that her marriage with the Captain may
be declared void alb initlo.
Mrs. Granger. who was Miss Letcher.
Of Kentucky, is still stopping at the
Sturtevant House. Mr.. Shepard says
that Captain Blair has told him that he
will make no opposition to the divorce
proceedings, which he considers just
and inevitable, and that there will be
no difficulty q delay in obtaining de-
cree Of separation from the courts.
Mrs. Blair, Mr.. Sheppard says, had
only this course to take. When the
first whisperings Of the scandal came
out she turned TO her husband, express
ed her perfect faith in him, and stood
by him Dravely and undeviatingly until
the fact that he had wife living in
Scotland was settled beyond peradven-
ture. Captain Blair the lawyer consid-
ers man who was thoughtless and UNI
fortunate, rather than criminally deceit
full. Mr.. Sheppard thinks that he really
had doubts Of the legality of his mar
riage to Ann Baile, and in the course
Of years Of separation from her, these
doubts were strengthened, the wish be-
coming father of the thought. He had
told Mrs. Granger Of his relations with
the Glasgow woman, and she had pass
ed the matter over us an indlscretion of
the past eondoned by time.
Captain Blair is still in Fort Column
bus awaiting sentence. His quarters
are III the north end OF the row of bar
racks forming the west side of the qua
drangle, up one flight of stairs, The
door opens from hallway into n
square room that was occupied by
u sentry while Captain Blair was
awaiting trial. Another doorway con-
nected this room with the one occupied
by Captain Blair. Since the close of
the trial the sentry has been taken away
and the prisoner is allowed the freedom
Of the fort.
Yesterday u CRATE fire burned in his
ROOM Books and papers Were scat
tered on the table. Two or three photo
graphic likenesses were on the mantel.
lie had not been informed of Mrs.
Changers application for the annull-
mcnt, OF her marriage with him, though
he supposed that ii it had not already
been it would soon be made. Two
days previously to his making the plea
Of guilty to the specifications contained
in the charge against him, he says he
wrote her letter, i'll which he advised
her for her sake not to visit him again,
! and suggested that she make applica-
ton for the anullment OF the marriage.
"Of course" he continued, 81 would
maken no defense. have but one OBJ
ject now--to do all III my power toward
repairing the great wrong ! have done
to the woman | love better than life
, itself. If ! could place Mrs. Granger
back where she was the day her hus-
band died in my arms, | would give
my life this moment"
Captain Blair continued, speaking
very slowly: Last December we were III
Santa Fe, and one day telegram came
to Mrs. Granger (he did not once alludc
to her rs Mrs. Blair) from Mr.. Wander.
) bit. 1t said that trouble was likely tc
come upon her, or something to that eli
, feet. We did not know what it meant
thought that perhaps it referred tosome
litigation regarding the legacy which
Commodore Vanderbilt had left to her
The next day long dispatch came. II
said that woman in Scotland claimed
me rs her husband and had forwarded
, papers through nm American consul tC
substantiate her claim. | was thunder
struck. If u volcano We're to burst W
through this island | would be less sus
prised than | was mt that moment.
Immediately forwarded my resignation
to General Pope, in whose diyisionI WAS
Mrs. Granger said that this would seem
like confession of guilt, and she tele
graphed General Pope. asking him not
to accept the resignation. Then | an
piled for leave of absence from my
post for thirty days and it was granted
intended to go to Washington and de
fend myself. We were six days goinl
from Santa Fe to the railroad, i'll con
, sequence of the deep snow. In St
/, Louis we were snowbound. When We
reached Cleveland we were met by Mrs
Changers brother, Mr.. Letcher. want
ed to go from there to Washington witt
J him, and send her to New York; but ",
came to New York. For her sake
thought it best that we should not STOP
at the same hotel. You will see by my
trunk here (going around and pointing
to the labeD that my baggage was to be
sent to different house. was intend
/, ing 10 so on 10 Washington almost inn
mediately, but was arrested and brought
here. OF course the sentence will DC
! dismissal.
Capt. Blair was asked if he desired Il
make any statement regarding the ma
ture of tho ceremony or contract which
the Glasgow woman AYERS is i valit
marriage.
"What would he the uSe9' lie said
"The damage is done. Ii | could hay,
, secured u stay Of proceedings, with per
mission to go to Scotland, could hay,
proved the worthlessnoss Of tina
Il " a