Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-18
The COnkIing.Hayden Scandal.

The COnkIing-Hayden Scandal.
AN EXPLICIT DENIAL SUPPORTED BY AFFTDAvITs
OF THE PARTIES INTERESTED.
Hon. John Knapp. OF Auburn, n. Y, and
other prominent citizens, have written to the
New York Times touching what is known as
the ConkliDg- Hayden scandal Mr.. Knapp In
his letter says: sFor two years and more there
has appeared at various times IN newspapers
throughout the country highly sensational
story connecting the name OF Senator COnk-
Port Byron, N. Y, who has separated from her
husband, Mr.. John Hayden. The publication
OF this story, and other such, from time to time,
sea, has always been coincident with some
political movement In which the distinguished
New lork Senator was an actor. The
mas aWays Desn out WITH
in different versions, always padded with the
small details and minute familiar to the hack
story writer's, such as Poe declared the best
aids to the
APPEARANCE OF REALITY IN FICTION.
1t told OF the courtship ana marriage OF Mr.
Hayden; OF his subsequent desertton by his
W1re; OF her Hight to Syracuse: OF her there
meeting Senator Conkling, and OF their journey
Mrs. Hayden became the Senator's private see
retary at washington, and his Mistress The
writer stopped TO relate that often before there
had been clandestine meetings between them
despite the remonsurances of the husband. Tue
stoIy-teller then related that they went to,
gether to fair at the armory OF the seventh
regiment, IN New York City and that Mr.. Conk
here the tale was enliyened by highly dra-
matte episode, which was made to occur on the
way home from the fair. Their carriage was
door OF the vehicle while the Senator inglori-
ously fled fran the other Having administered
chloroform to the lady, ana then brought them
safely out OF this tragic adventure, the writer
stated in the most explicit manner that in the
vaults OF certain safe deposit company In Al.
oany there were hity letters OF the most COM
the guilty pair, and which at any time could
be produced.
WICKED, DETRsTABLK FABRICATION.
MI. Knapp says OF this story: "Thls elaborate
history, and the whole OF It, from beginning to
end, is wicked detestable fabrication. IL is
not mistake. it is not misunderstandlng, It
is no confusion OF persons, IT is not an exagger.
alton OF any fact or circumstance. There never
was the slightest foundation for it. 1t is
malignant, dev1l1Sh, villAtnous falSehoOd, q lie
made out OF whole cloth. This affirm of my
own knowledge. I have lived for more than
thirty years within six miles of the Hayden
body IS business and duty to raise hand against
the hideous calumnies OF which Sena-
tor Conklfng has OF late In silence been the
sn6G ced %Ro1 MI Hayden
ments OF the truth In writing. This they have
done. and In order that no doubts might be
raised as to their authenticity the statements
were signed and atIested on oath. The affi-
dav1ts are appended to this letter. In additicl
to these plain and conclusive statements i
have procured the statement OF Mrs. Hayden,
fully verifying the others, and declaring that
ehe has never known or met Senator Conkling,
nor had any correspondence with him, by letter
or otherwise. during the whole course OF her
life. Mrs. Hayden has married again, and hap
PLY, and, therefore. do not publish her state
ment with the others. but hold it subject to
your Inspection.
Accompanying Mr.. Knapps letter is the hus-
bands affidavit alluded TO, and the afsidavits OF
the Hayden brothers. all OF which deny ssthe
slanderous allegations In the most explicit
terms.