The Osceola times., 1880-12-04
UNFORTUNATE WIDOW sPEgR
How Mrs. Eckhardt Obtained a Husband In
B"sten while Conveying The Remain.
of Her First to Germany.

Irutl.
The suit Of Ewald Bolenius for anrr,
meni of marriage between himself and
certain Nine. Christina Eckbardt bas
developed rather an extraordinary train
of circumstances. The lady in question
Is tall, masculine woman, whose aoa il
variously estimated all the way iron,
forty TO GO summers.
The madame herself, however. asscrts
with becoming modesty, that she il
just AZ.
The fair defendant has had a soma.
what checkered career. Where sbe
spent her infant days is mystery bnt
the dcnizens of Stanton street saw that
she has bloomed in that aiistocraIic
neighborhood for many years. Her
name has appeared quite prominently in
certain newspapers in this cityas q clair.
voyant, and her Lone is said by those
who have had the entree 10 have been
furnished IN the most luxurious man
ner. She was married to a man named
Speer while still in the feshness of her
early but decidedly positive beauty. and
the pair apparently got along well 10.
gether. Early in 1873 Speers departed
for the spirit land his wife protested 10
describe, and his disconsolate widow
Immediately commenced preparation.
to remove his body to Germany for
interlne IT in the mausoleum OF the
Speers at Freiberg.
The body was deposited IN yault
until May, 1873, when she had every
thing ready 10 start. The lady was not
in hurry, however, TO act as escort 10
her dead spouse. as she made a flying
visit 10 Boston, and while there found
an old fame, one Bunnell Runnels.
with whom she ut once struck up an
acquaintance.
At this point Runnels, who is at
present living in this city IN East Ninth
street, tells romantic story of hasty
wedding and too sudden swapping Of
the hvmeneal bonds. lie is a probes
sional man, an acrobat, and ii was while
in the practice of that profession that
he came across the fair Nine. E.khardt
at Boston. lie was delighted to see his
old friend, and she was equally pleased
to see him. They had few bottles Of
wine together, and then the enrapturej
Runnes, while under the magnetic
charms of the dashing widow, persua-
siyely suggested that she would possibly
have no objection to marrying again.
The lady is reported to have replied
that she had none in the world. Both
parties having agreed, Runnels hired
coach and drove to Justice Mshans,
where the nuptal knot was tied, the
only witness being the colorel servant
girl in the service of the judge. The
newly-wedded pair next drove to the
Selwyn House, where several fiends Of
the bridegroom were invited. and, as
| he now expresses il, thre was n grand
jollification" all around.
Their welded bliss was Of short dura-
ton, as Mrs. Runnels was compelled to
start for Germany with the body OF
Runnels' predecessor. Runnels bore his
loss philosophically, however, and re-
sumed his old position in the ring, con.
tent to await the return Of his bride
when her long pilgrimage had ended.
In due time she came hack, and went
/ to live at her old residence on Stanton
street. Her husband, as he claims he
is, followed her, but after living with
| her for a few weeks started with troupe
/ for San Francisco.
| In 1875 he returned 10 New York, but
/ 10 his amazement found another installed
| in his place-a handsome Young fellow,
/ about 80 years of age, named Egald
/ Bolcnius. He protested, but it was OF
no avall-the charming Nine. Eckhardt
| clung tightly TO her latest acquisition
and reftis ell 10 acknowledge the validity
OF her Boston marriage. Runnels appar'
emily accepted the situation, for nothing
was heard from him until his spouse was
! tgt. Of lt.r N
| sent to the penitentiary on BlackwelFs
Island. Then Bo,cnius sued for an an,
nulment of his marriage on the ground
of Nine. Eckhardt having been married
to Runnels, and obtained his first victory
before Judge Dwight, by the testimony
| of tne Boston husband.
The lady's story is in direct contra
/ dction TO those told by he masculine
/ opponents. She SAYS that she did not
intend to marry Runnels at Boston,
| She thought the ceremony before Justice
Mahan was simply an engagement De-
| tween herself and Runnels. Her mar
rage with Bolenius she declares TO DO
/ valid. She has commenced suit agalns.
| him, no Sever, to recover about sfVVo
worth OF property which she claims le
! has sold without her permission.
THIS Bolenius denies. lie says tha'
he sold the goods to pay the cost 0l 'ne
suit against Nine. Eckhafdt for mar
practice. Meanwhile the unfortunate
relict Of the German, Speer, langulsnes,
in durance vile with fair prospect Oh
finding herself upon her release sans
husbands, sans clothes, sans every tnihs'
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