River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-10-05
THF DOMESTIC HERO.
Melyiile's Meeting With His wife
Her side OF the INSANITY Atory.

A Ehuc Oh the insanity story.
A correspondent gives the following
description of Engineer Melville's re-
ception at his home and of his meeting
with his wife and children:
The grounds around his cottage, a
rather large and handsome one, were
unprecedented by the crowd, and in the
doorway three little girls, the tallest in
the center, could be seen awaiting their
fathers first kiss and embrace. When
Melville went away Meta, the youngest,
was babe in arms. Maud, the eldest,
now about fourteen years old, is girl
of great promise. and although she was
but q child when he left her, she was
almost young lady last night, and re-
ceived such admiration and attentions
as few young ladies do. Through the
cheering crowds that lined the road
Melville came, march of joy and
triumph indifferent to the weary
march over the Siberian wastes, and at
the gate all stopped. Melville went in
alone, and taking the three in his arms
and holding them for while to his
heart, was led by Maud to where her
mother was awaiting him. Then the
committees and delegations entered the
reception room, and soon Melville
came in proudly and joyfully, with his
wife leaning upon his arm. In the
pleasure of his presence and the oc-
casion, Mrs. Melville made striking
appearance, although the anxiety
through which she has passed has
worn upon her youthful and very at
tractive appearance. She was plainly
dressed in black, with her dark hair
cornbed in two waves across her fore
head, after the old style. She cordially
welcomed all her husbands friends,
and especially Noros AID Ninderman,
the two sailors, whom he still kept at
his side. In the room was large pic
ture of the Jeanette and various other
pictures and china ornaments and
trophies that Melville has brought from
past cruises in far-off chimes. Standing
in the center of the room, with his wife
behind him, Melville received about l.
500 or 1000 persons.
MELvILLEs STORY.
Mr.. Melville says: My wife's insanity
has manifested itself occasionally ever
since our marriage. but has become
more violent of late. I have heard of
her drawing toy wagon along the
street and asking passers-by to look at
the new ably that was to be a surprise
to George Chats y upon his return,
when there was not even a rag-baby in
the wagon; still, as her Authorizations
We're generally harmless, | felt no fear
of her doing anything violent. would
rather have had nothing said publicly
of this sad affair, but since it has got in
to the newspapers, want the true
facts to be set forth. One of the mem
bers of her family died in an asylum
for the insane. Another is sample"
and third passed several years in con-
finement because of insanity. Her
story, which | read this morning, was
the raving of demented mind, but,
like many insane persons, she possessed
the faculty of speaking very sensibly
and coherently, even with her mind
unbalanced, so that | cannot say that
the writer of the article had any inten-
ton of doing ne harm. His mistake
was one of judgment, and not inten-
ton. He did not know that he was
my friends know of the troubles / have
oApSIleHCcu III my uOlHcStlC ZIG, pue
none know them ALL
With regard to the story as to the
troubles about money, Chief Engineer
Able, an intimate friend, said:
According to the regulations of the
navy, an officer at sea can only allow
his wife one-half of his salary. This
Mr.. Melville did; giving her 800 a
month. Beside this he owned the
house, which was well furnished, laid
in stock of coal sufficient for three
years, paid the taxes and the school ex-
penses of the children for the same
term, and paid off the debts that she
had contracted while he was with the
Asiastic squadron. To do this he had
to get special order from the secre-
tary of the treasury, allowing him to
allot his whole salary, except $40
month, to his wife. On this pitiful
sum he had to live for long lime.