The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-13
WHAT Is CALLED A HERO.
Dastardly Conduct of Chief Engineer
George w. Melville.
Mrs. Melville's Story of Her Marital Trou-
bles-Her Husband Spirits Her to
an Insane Asylum.

The quaint aid courthouse here has rarely
witnessed a scene more dramatic or more
pathetic than that which occurred in the
habeas corpus suit of Engineer Melville
against his wife for the possession of his
children. Mrs Melville took the stand at
O'Clock. TELL your story in your own way
Mrs Melville, said the judge, kindly as the
slender, white-faced woman turned and
faced the audience after declining proffered
chair Her recital covered the marriage to
George w. Melville in Buffalo, in 1864, after
having been engaged to him three years.
My father" she said, twas a magistrate in
Buffalo. l was married in his house on
Sunday evening, and my husband left me
next morning to join his vessel at
Norfolk, Va. Afterward 1 moved to
Bristol, Pa, and there when my first child
was eleven days old, my husband sent me
word that wanted to see him before he
went to sea | must come to Norfolk. | made
the journey, ana have never been strong
since. Maud was year old when her father
first saw her. AT that time he allowed me
$40 month, and once threatened to get
divorce because had complained that the
money was insufficient for our support 1
never in my life offered my husband glass
of liquor He always said he did not love
me, and once, when l asked him to increase
my allowance, he sent me the most-cruel let
ter ever received" Here Mrs Melville
broke down and sobbed like babe, but re-
covered herself and continued( while we
were living in Bristol Mr.. Mel
vile came home one evening as
was getting supper. He had
pistol with him, which he showed to me-
and explained its working. While I was in
the closet with some plates in my hand 1
heard report, and bullet entered the door
close TO where l stood. 1 fell on a table,
exclaiming, My God, Pm shotT but, feel
ing no pain jumped up Melville then came
to me and said. For Gods sake don't tell
anybody After the people had gone, on
the night of my husbands reception at home,
he said to me, Show me to my ROOM
You will find it where you left it,
answered, but showed him the room. He
asked me where my room was. told him l
had no other. He then said, If this is the
room where you are going to sleep, I'll be
if do He then started to go,
and said, oh, George, pll not trouble
you
"Shall I use the exact language he used in
replying to me" said Mrs Melville, as she
hesltated, ana turned toward the Judge
Yes, if you WISH" was the reply.
"'No,you Cd id b-h, don't intend to
let you was the reply, as he went down
stairs with pillow. On Tuesday morning
was aw kened by my servant, Sadie Miller,
the house with two men. l had not the
faintest idea of What was to come, but
thought it was the preliminary proceedings
for divorce, or something of that kind.
Mr.. Melville came up stairs followed by
Washington James and Thomas Garvin. 1
was still in bed. My husband seated him
self on the pillow and told me to get up at
once. If you do not said he, L will wrap
you in the quilt and carry you down stairs
Surely, George l replied you will not
compel me to get up before these men. Go
out of the room, and take them with you
while l dress He told the men to go out,
but remained behind himself, as he said,
for safety. 1 then arose and dressed my
self Mr.. Melville put his hand under the
pillow and took out an empty revolver.
Then | was ordered to go down stairs.
l obeyed, my three children following me. A
carriage stood few rods from the door. My
husband told me to get in quietly, so there
would be no scene. Then for the first time l
realized that was to be taken from my chill
dren. | put my arms around Meta and FL
sic, and Maud chung to my neck. All of
them were crying. You shall not take my
babies from me- 1 cried. They have never
been away from me since they were born,
and they shall not be stolen from me now"
Then 1 threw myself on the ground, and the
children with me. implored the men stand
ing about me to help me, if they were men;
but the appeal met with no response. My
ever. My children were permitted to get
into the vehicle with me, and we were driven
off as afterward discovered, to Norristown.
l was taken with my children into a large
building, and then l was told that my chill
dren could not remain with me-"
At this point Mrs Melville broke down
and sobbed convulsively, as did Elsie and
Meta, who were seated within few feet of
their mother. Maud covered her face with
her handkerchief. Nearly every woman in
| the audience was in tears. To heighten the
dramatic effect, Judge Clayton called the lit
tie ones to him, and, with their dolls in their
| arms they walked up the steps leading to
the Judges seat, and he placed his arms
around them both. II want my mammal
walled Meta. "And so do I'' sobbed her sis
ter. "Be good little girls" said his honor,
kindly land go to your seats. Your mamma
will be through presently, and then she will
| come to you" Somewhat comforted, the
children took their places again, and Mrs.
Melville, after swallowing glass of water
resumed her testimony. She continued
tWhen l found they had to go, and that
was powerless, I told them that God would
| protect them, and that, to please mother
! they must go back without her The chill
| dren obeyed me, and Maud was taken with
| out being permitted to bid me goodbye
Not long afterward was taken into ROOM
| and the key was turned on me. | realized
then, and not till them that | was prisoner
| But where, | knew not. l soon learned
| however, when heard the shrieks and yels
of my fellow prisoners, that l was in mad
| house"
The scene in the courtroom during this
narrative was remarkable. The only person
| in the large audience who betrayed no emo
ton was Engineer Melville. The case will be
argued next Wednesday.
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