National Republican., 1883-07-04

Tho Lady who Has Recently Attracted
Much Attention i'm tho wcst-who and
What She Is.
The Baltimore papers have discovered that
the Mrs Bush who has recently attracted SO
much attention to herself in the west is not
unknown in this region. From a Mrs. Mon
monier, who sorrowfully admits that she is a
relative of the now notorious lady, it was
learned that Mrs. Bush is none ether than
Blanche Melbourne, daughter of Mai. Wilbur
Melbourne, who served with distinction in the
army Of the west, in Indian wars, and also
through the war Of the rebellion, and who
| since then has been prominent politician in
Missouri aud an office holder at Washington.
Mrs Monmonier says that in the spring of
last year the lady called on her in company
with her father, and spent the day. 1t was
understood that they were IN remain over
night, but toward evening Mss Melbourne
became uneasy and insisted upon returning
TO Washington at once. Upgl Mrs. Monmo-
nier inquiring the reason for her desire
to leave so suddenly, she said privately
that she was expecting letter from
her intended husband, Nj. Ernest
Bell, a resident of st. Louis; that her
father objected TO the match with Boil that
their correspondence was clandestine, aud
that unless she hurried home her letters
would be intercepted and would le given to
her father, who would not allow her to see
them. They took their departure, and Mrs.
Monmonier has not seen her cousin since,
though she has frequently heard from her
Her uncle, William L. Schutt, of st. Louis
afterward heard that Blanche mad gono {,
Europe with Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover, said TO
be friends of the family. Mrs. Hoover was
formerly Miss Hicks, of Springfield, III.
Practically nothing has been heard from Miss
Melbourne since she left for England by her
friends in this section 1t is said
that two, years ago she fs!l from
home at st. Louis and was picked Ip uncnn.
scious. An examination showed that her
skull had been fractured, and for several
weeks her life was despaired o.! Through
the skill of one of the most famous physicians
OF the west she was restored. Her father has
often made the remark that "Blalcha was
never quite right since she had the fall" The
girl was raised in atfluence and with servants
constantly at her beck and call since child
hood She appeared even more imperious
since the time of her fall. Ever since she
was mere child Miss Melbourne has been a
belle in st. Louis and Washington society.
She was rather wild, and at the age of ii par
ticipated in fancy dances AT Gov. Harding's
with all the spirit OF an older beauty.
Her social position was one OF tho best
Her fither was az prominent as stated aud, |
her mother is connected with somo OF the |
best FAM les OF Missouli, Kentucky, and Ilti- |
nols. Miss Melbourne was Il we'll known |
member Of the Mccullough Dramatic associa.
tion. OF ST. Louis, and showed great dramatic |
talent. Al the early age OF l5 she insisted |
upon going on the stage, bI. was prevented |
after great difficulty and several stormy |
domestic scenes with her parents She |
was a fAvorite in society, aud O
costly and elegant yach. WAS named in her
honor at st. Louis.A A sea 'rn erstwoaago she
was reported to he engaged 10 he married to
ex Congressman Wilson, of West Virginia,
and in company with him and his sisters Wis
tied the White Sulphur Springs, where she
WIS recognized as reignin, belle Last
summer sho was the guesJ of Vice President
David Davis at Washington. 1t is not known
who the young man Green is who is travel
ing with Mrs. BUSH or Miss Melbourne. She
claims he is q brother of hers, but this is i'm
possible, as the young man is about twenty
years of age, and IL is known that Miss Mel
bourne has but two br0thers--one two years
and tho other five years, tho latter being
named after her cousin, G.orse Alfred Town
send. Mr.. Ernest Bell, TO whom she said she
Was engaged to be married, Is described as a
young man of small physique and wearing
eyeglasses. His father is an ex.csngressman
md at present president Of a st. Louis street
'ailway company. Friends here have the i'm
PRESTON that the young man Green is none
'ther than Boil, aud that tho couple are
married.