Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-19
UNDER A CLOUD.
Lieutenant MsIyiHe's Unpleasant
Family Relations.
Inc Halo OF Glory Surrounding the Arctic
AdTenturer Suddenly 0bscured by
an Unfortunate Domestic
unpleasantness.
WASHINGTON RECEPTION POSTPONED

WASHINGTON RECEPTION POSTPONED
WASHINGTON, September 1s.-The glory
surrounding Lieutenant Melville's return
IS suddenly obscured by a cloud. The
statement sent out from here last night
that the reception, for which full prepara-
ton had been made, was postponed on ac-
count OF the illness of Mr.. Melville, did
not contain hint of the real state of affairs
| with the return Of our hero. The Pbila.
! deIphia papers are full Of the matter,
! though the stories conflict. One il to the
| effect that Mrs. Melville was
Made DeliriOus with Joy
at the return of her husband, and the other
| is that he met her cOldly. auarreIed and
left the house on the night Of his arrival,
and declared he never would return. A
| gentleman who has known the family, soys
| u has been no secret among Meiyille's
that he found no pleasure at home and
was always glad to be ordered 10 sea on
long voyages. The trouble, he says, was
not on account Of any unfaithfulness, but
! for the reason that
She Squandered His Money
and seemed utterly careless OF his interests.
She states that her allowances were not
sufficient, and makes out in her published
statement most unreasonable case of
desertiOn- Of course due allowance should
be made for the mental condition in which
she is. His comrades here will not talk of
the matter, but il is evident that they are
not surprised at the turn his affairs have
taken and the announcement. He has in
definite leaves Of absence granted by the
acting secretary of the navy and the re-
ception is practically abandoned.
His Rumored DeseRtioa OH Family.
PHILADELPHIA, September 1S.-A reporter
interviewed the wife of Engineer Melville
at her home in Sharon Hill last night in
regard to Melville's desertion of his family.
He left the house Saturday night after the
reception, and has no. been since seen
since. According to Mrs Melyille's story
she received her husband warmly, as did
the children, but his treatment of them all
was very cool. She bore it all patiently
until the reception was over. When re-
tiring time came he asked where his room
was, and upon her informing him that
there was only one room and this was it"
he said
LII be D-d IL 10 is.e
and started down stairs, taking pillow
with him. She then commenced to turn
out the gas, when he with an oath and
curse, exclaimed: Turn out those lights"
This was too much, aud she upGraidsd him
severely for his harsh treatment. At this
he seized his hat and left the house, saying
he would end the matter for all time. Miss
Maud, the eldest daughter, corroborates
her mother in these statements, as does also
Meta, younger child. Mrs. Melville says
she fears an attempt will be made to take
the children from her, but that she will
guard against il in every way She is COM
pletely proStrated, and the family physi-
clan was in attendance upon her all DAY
Yesterday. Her intimate friends fear her
reason will give way.
Denied BY His Friends.
PHILADELPHIA, September 1S.-The report
of the outrageous treatment OF his wife by
Engineer Melville is denied by his friends.
1t is asserted that Melville has borne pa
tiently with the eCcentricities of his wife
| for long time and that the reason OF his
| diSappearanceis that his wifeiwas drunk Sat
| urday. In an interview while speaking OF
| Melyilles return home, Mrs. Melville is
credited with making the folloSTiinfp po,. state
| in most neartless manner and
| | never want 10 see him again.
| Oh, this is too terrible, but l
Never want 10 See Him Again.
| have been a true wife to him ever since
| the day we were married, and he cannot
! DENY it. I'll b. true mother to the chill
! dren, too. I'll work my fingers bare Tor
| them willingly, but | want them to myself.
! don't want him to have them. Ihey are
! all have now to love me. They, too, never
want to see their father again after last
| nights work
| II is asserted that Mrs. Melville was par.
| tally intoxicated when she said this, and
| that is the true cause OF her lndlsposltlon'
Last Evening at Late Hour,
while a reporter was at the Melville resi-
| dence. there was vigorous ring at the door
| bell and when the door was opered
| by the servant, mans voice inquired:
Are the children in? Can L see them
mOmentg
which were distinctly heard upstairs: Mrs.
Melville raised herself mp in bed, whl!her
She had retired, overcome with eNertlon,
| and. with a wild look, awaited the approach
of the servant, who came upstairs to IN
| ouire about the children.
"Tell him they are in bed, she said,
"aud that he can not see them.
Then turning to the reporter she ex'
claimed,
Drawing q Revolver,
from underneath her pillow: "You see
am prepared for any attempt OF this kind
TO deprive me of my children; and can
use it. too, and mean to if need be.
The exertion of the moment was toe
much for her excited nerves, and she fell
hscE unOn the bed in a faint. She recov
cred after an interval of few moments
and begged the reporter to excuse her, aS
She was too weak, exhausted and excited u
continue the interview longer.
state of Mrs Melyille's Mind.
WASHINGTON, September 1S.-Naval oth
GERS here, whose attention has been called
10 the story Of Melyille's desertion OF hi:
wife, state Mrs Melville's mind has beer
generally thought to be impaired, and they
presume on that account Melville dses mo-
live with her.
He Falls Rack on His sister.
PHILADLPHIA, September 1S.-Chiet En-
} gineer Melville telegraphed for his sistel
in Nrw York, who will hereafter take carr
of his home and his children.
Lieutenant Melville.
WASHINGTON, d. c., September 1S.-Th'
| telegram received by Acting Secretary o
, the Navy Waiter, yesterday, from Eugene
Melville simply asked for an extension o
, leave on account Of sickness in the family
, | The re0ueSt was granted. None OF the par
ticulars of Melyille's actions are known
the department. Reports Of his having
deserted his wife created quite sensation
this morning among officials there.
Adjudged Insane.
| PHILADELPHIA, September 18.-Dr. Legs
streth, the Melville family physician, ant
. | DR.. Bartleson, to-day gave q certihcat
, | of insanity in the case OF Mrs. MelVllie
, ! wife of Chief Engineer Melville, and sh
has been placed in the Morristown Insan
: ASYLUM. Her children accompanied her u
: the asylum and then returned home.
EXCHANGES.