Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-05-01
PUNCrURING PRESTON.

A Lively and Somewhat Racy Pen Sketch
of John III, Preston from His Former
Home.
The GLOBE the past week has contained
several mentions of man named John Fl.
Preston, in connection with divorce pro-
ceeding and his arrest for adultery, both
causes instituted by his wife, and suit in the
district court for this county, commenced by
his alleged mistress, one Josie Mattsop, to re-
cover for services rendered, followed by an
effort by Preston, in which he has been Joined
by the woman Madison, to have the judgment
set aside, alleging prior settlement, and that
the Judgment was obtained against the wishes
of the complainant, the woman Mattson.
The arrest for adultery was, as will be remem-
bered, allowed to go by default,it being ascer-
tanned the charge would not lie under our
statutes, the woman Mattson, with whom he
was charged with committing the act, being
single. The charge, however, has not, it is
understood, been dropped, but will be pre-
ferred in Wisconsin court, to which end the
preliminary steps have already been taken.
In the meantime a La Crosse, Wis, cores
pondent of the Milwaukee Sentinel furnishes
that paper of Saturday with very
racy sketch OF Preston's career before he be-
come resident of st. Paul, as follows:
man who has alternated between virtue and
vice in this city for the past ten years, and is
not unknown in either police or church cir
Giles, has again stepped into prominence, this
time in st. Paul, where he is subjected to
suits for adultery by his wife, and swindling
by his mistress. His career has been check
cred one, but it has been narrowing down
to focus for the past five years very
rapidly. AS the proprietor of hotel at
/ or inn ha mil tod
bic money, with which he came to this city
and opened livery stable, in partnership with
Tommy Dunbar, now in charge of the Cold
Spring race course, in Milwaukee. Preston
gaining a reputation for trickery, and spending
most of his time in gambling, a dissolution OF
the partnership was brought about, Dunbar
continuing the business and Preston opening
a fourth rate hotel, which depended
MORE ON ITS BAR THAN ITS BOARD
for support. Continually disturbances about
the premises finally made the hotel so unpopu-
lar that it lost its patronage, even at the bar.
at this juncture Preston caught the temper
anca infection, and under the min
lstration OF one Satterlee, a rever-
end gentleman, who was the Temperance
candidate Tor governor of Minnesota, led the
champions of cold water on to glorious de-
feat, merely catching "crab' in the shape of
Il scandal in his electioneering tours at Owa-
tonna, or some other inland village Preston
donned the blue ribbon, sold hia whisky on
hand to the highest bidder, and under the in
spiration of the moment became frequent r
of the sanctuary OF the Lord, so-called. In his
case, however, contrary to the usual custom,
when the whisky went out the devil went in.
Under the patronage of the Temperance people
Preston began to slick up In personal appear
tnce; temperance conventions and temperance
people pstroniZed his house ana paid good
round sums for very poor accommodations,
md We host began to imagine himself irres;st-
able. lie began to make ogle eyes at
A PRETTY CHAMBERMAID,
usmed Josie Matteson, and the simple minded
creature, charmed by bis soft impeachments
7l,Mrd to his Solicitations. The wife was
neglected while the chamtermaid decGed out
in fiuery, rode about the city behind high
stopper with Preston holding the ribbons,
Thus matters went on until one fine morning
We host and ye chambermaid were summoned
to appear in the police court TO answer to a
charge of adultery. A fine was imposed on
each, which was promptly paid, without in
any manner interfering with the even tenor of
their ways. Thus matters progressed until
the hotel again became dead letter for want
Of patronage, when Preston turned the bust
ness over to his wife and daughter, young
lady aged about 20, and established
HIS MISTRESS IN PRIVATE COTTAGE,
gaining his livelihood by running couple Of
hacks about the city and by gambling. Neigh.
bors have entered complaint against the
couple, but all tOsno purpose. Some time ago
Preston went to st. Paul, since when his wife
has brought suit against him on a charge of
adultery, but as the act was not committed in
that state it is claimed that the case must 90
down. This, however, has opened way for
the woman Mattson, with whom it appars he
has quarreled, and who is a seeker after ven
geance. He has introduced her as his wife in
st. Paul, and her child passes under the name
of Preston, consequently the legal wife can
set charge OF bigamy while the mistress
is preparing to bring claims against him for
nearly 81 500 as domestic and cook. and unless
a compromise is effected there is lively time
in store for Preston.