Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-15
THE CHRIsTIANCY FAMILY TROUBLES.
The Bill for DivOFce-Mrs. Chrls-
tiancy,s Career Before and SiHce

The Bi1I Tor DivOfCe-Mfss ChplS-
tiancy,s Career Before and SiHce
Her Marriage.
The bill filed last Wednesday afternoon by
ex-senator Isaac P. Christiancy U. 8. Minister
to Peru, for divorce from his wife, Lille N.
Christiancy. Is rather more generalinit its charges
than specific. AS far as known, he makes but
one direct charge, and that Is on Information
and belief that she was guilty OF improper
conduct in December last with a gentleman
supposed to be residing In one OF the northern
cities" with the usual addenda land other ner-
sons unknown to petitioner at divers times and
places" The bill OF course sets forth the fact
OF their marriage in this city in February 1876
and that they are residents OF the District OF
. Ola. NO enc except the parties and att Dr.
neys have seen the bill since II was fled and its
puIport as given above Is from another but
what Is deemed reliable, source.
SOMETHING ABOUT MRS CHRISTIAHCY.
the respondent In this case Is daughter of
MT John W. Lugenbeei, clerk in the Sixth
Auditors Office, now quite an aged gentleman.
She was born 1u Alexandria, Va. some twenty
five years ago. She is of petite figure, is very
good looking, and having been well educated,
ana Oelng naturally good converSationalist
she is able to make herself very entertaining
Most OF her early life was spent in Maryland,
, Mnere she has relatives and friends, aud OBJ
tanning a elerkshtp i'm one of the bureaus of the
Treasury department., she took board at Mrs
ChoateS on Indiana avenue. nearly opposite
the house where she now resides with her father
aud mother.
AT THIS BOARDING HOUSE SIZE NET MR.. CHRIS
TIANCY,
and although he was then 81 and she bat n
years old they were soon regarded as lovers.
and after very brief courtship of only q few
weeks duration, the marriage took place. Ii
Was very quiet affair. There is no claim on
the part OF Mr.. Chri>t.ancy that he was en-
trapped into The marriage, as has been al
legged. and 1t was known to the lady and her
J lllends that he was not wealthy. After the
marriage the parties during the session Of Con
greSS, remained in Washington, ard during the
recess remained most of the time at IanSinp
Mich Mich: The residence of the Senator. Not long
into
mission TO Peru, he made and executed a
power or attorney to Mr.. WILLIS at that time
pIactlsslng lawyer at Lansing and now menr-
Der OF Congress from Michigan, to sell and
convey all his real estate, in which poWe: of
attorney his wife joined.
THE WIFE STARTED TO PERU
unGer the protection of Mr.. SOlOSntOS Peril
Wan. but she soon lost confidence I'm such pro-
lection, and Mr.. IIa1gbt, who was on the steamer
at The request OF the captain ASST med that posi-
ton. This was the first acquaintance of Mr.
Haght and Mrs. Christiancy. Mr.. Haight who
is 0y the way married man with one or more
children, was visiting Peru on torpedo business
t ne1ng connected With and interested in the Lay
TORPEDO boat. With Yankee shrewdnes5 and
push he did all he could through
his acquaintance with the American
legation to TO push his business interests,
and YVES frequently at the legation. It was dur
Ing his stay In Peru that Mr. Haight, it is g.
legged. witnessed acts of cruelty on the part OF
Mr. Christiancy towards his wife, such as strik.
log ana beating. and that at one time the
American residents were On the point OF peti
tonng the President for tie minister's recall
II was known to some OF Mr.. Chrstiancy,5
1f1enCS That before his departure to Peru he hal
not the most amicable feelings towards his
vile, nut there was no outbreak.
HER RETURN FROM PERU,
when MIS-. Christiancy returned from Peru in
october last she was almost pennileSs Mr.
Christiancy not even furnishing her the money
II Is said. TO pay her passage so that she had 20
i aeeps n p assistance tn Of American res
parents were then living at 81 d street, aud
she naturally went there to reside. She Support
ed herself eli for some time by painting photo
graphs and copying. Since the publicity given
TO her troubles with Mr.. Chrlstiancy her health
has been bad. and she has had to claim support
from her aged parents. 1t was not known by
Mr.. Christlancy's friends but that she contem-
plated taking some action against him, and
some OF them In December last conclude to
put a watch upon her, and
A DETECTIVE WAS EMPLOYED
by clerk In the Interior department. acting
for prominent Michigander, who claimed to be
Mr.. ChristiancyS agent. This detective had
the Christiancy house watched and Mrs. Chrl1.
tancyS movements Swallowed almost con-
stantly until early In March, during which time
the little woman, who did the marketing for
her mother, was so closely watched that the
manner OF living at 81 ID street {tne residence
OF her father and mother was fully known to
the watchers. lt was aScertalned that now and
then some one who stayed at an avenue hotel
net her at her house and on che street. and
that they sometimes were on the Avenue prom
tnad1ng. and on one occasion, when in the City
Hall park, the shadow" was so near them as
10 hear her relate how an old friend of hers had
threatened. II she only said the word. to shoot
| Mr.. Chrisllancy. 1t appears that some Of Mr.
C's hlends in the incipiency OF the proposition
10 watch Mrs c. and procure evidence on which
| lie could file bill for divorce had an Idea
| that the character Of
| PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL
| could be compromised and his name was men
! uOned In connection with this and the state
| ment was made that they had been seen in
d1sreIuta able neighborhood together. This, how
-Nrly for IrEn
| Was looked up it was found that Mrs. Cnrs
| t1ancy one afternoon two years ago took a walk
with the wife of this official; that they simply
| walked On the opposite side OF the street from
! The house OF well-knOwn courtesan, whose
! name had once been associated with that of a
| former governor OF western state. who was a
distant FAMILY connection of the officials WIFE
/ and The latter had the curiosity to see her, ard
/ With Mrs Christtancy. for companion, ina lie
Inc Hsd attempt emp to crafty her curiosity
| fact could not be used for other purpo IS
/ Than 10 biacken her character, and would have
! oten 10 ground FOR divorce as the alleged Or
| Tense, II any was committed, had been condoned
! on one occasion IL was reported by one OF the
! HI "a shadows that she had left the house. as
they believed, for New York. and one of Mr..
ChrlStiancyS friends (the clerk above men
tlOnedl Immediately started to the depot TO take
the same train in which it was supposed she
had taken seat, but in his hurry he had for
gotten his pocketbOok, and before he could ar
range for d ticket the train left. He however
lett on The following train, and after spending
| Wtth lalleC 10 OBTAIN a clue and returned home.
A KISS AT TIE CARS.
The TACT that Mrs. ChriSt1ancy was once seen
I 10 Kiss gentlemen in the Baltimore 6 Potomac
deroJ before a crOWd OF persons. when reported
| 10 the = friends OF Mr.. c., caused some salts
/ faction, but II appears that this action on her
/ part was the result o. playful banter. A gen
| tleman-an old friend OF the Lugenbeel family
had been on Visit to this city for a few DAYS
and On the occasion or his departure Mrs
ChllStiaEcy, with her father and mother az
cOlnpanled him TO the depot TO see him off, and
Just before boarding the train, lie bid the father
goodbye and Mrs. Lugenbeel gave him a motn-
erly kiss. Mrs. Christiancy was standing by
ana the gentleman playfully said, Now your
mother has kissed me, why should not you?
and she laughingly complied.
TIE QUESTION OF JURISDICTION
Since the first allUsiOn was made to the pro-
posed Institution OF the proceedings about two
! months since, there has been much conjecture
among members OF the bar as to whether the
suit would De Instituted here or In Michigan
the legal residence OF the parties. 1t Is claimed
by many that on plea TO the Jurisdiction OF the
court, the case would be dismissed Mrs Chris
| tiancy. who Is represented by Mr. j. N Oliver
will lot interpose such plea, but will answer the
charges and challenge proof, and also lille cross
Dill. charging him with cruel treatment, want OF
| support, &c.
BRACELETS, enameled, chased, chain; 81 to Sl5.
/ PIigg. +