The Osceola times., 1883-02-10
MELVILLE'S TROUBLE.
A Curious Story Told in Court by the
Engineer Of the Jcauneite.
WHY Mrs. Melville Was Sent to the Norris
town Asyinm for the Insane.
Philadelphia Times.

Philadelphia Times.
The train which left the Broad Street
Station Monday morning at five minutes
past o'clock on arriving at Media depos-
tied nearly two carloads of passengers,
many of whom had taken the train at
Sharon Hill. The greater number prov
ed to be witnesses in the habeas corpus
proceedings brought by Engineer Mel
Vile to recover the custody Of his three
children. Judge Futhey, of West Ches-
ter took his scat beside Judge Clayton
and remained for considerable time.
The return to the writ of habeas corpus,
covering ten pages Of manuscript was
read by counsel. Issue was joined IN
counter-statement traversing generally
and specifically the allegations IN the re-
turn. Without formal opening address
to the Court, Engineer Melville was call
cd to the stand.
One of the counsel for the wife object
cd TO the oath being administered upon
the ground that the witness did not be-
lieye in the existence Of a Supreme Be-
ing or future state Of rewards and pun
ishments. The Court at once ordered
that the witness be placed upon hia voir
dire, and in his answers Mr.. Melville
admitted that possibly, for the sake Of
argument, he had denied the divinity Of
God. but declared solemnly that he had
the usual religious convictions on the
subject and observed the sanctity Of an
oath. The Court then directed that the
witness be sworn.
THE CHEF ENGlNEEE's TESTIMONY.
Mr. Melville testified that he had en-
tered the navy in 1861 and has since re-
mained in theseryice Of the government.
During the last three years while absent
on the Jeannette expedition, he had al
lowed his wifq ninety dollars a month
for her support and tie use Of the house
at Sharon Hill. During the last thirteen
months his wife had succeeded in draw
ing an additional fifty dollars month,
On his recent return home he discovered
that he was 81 500 in debt for bills con-
tracted and borrowed money. The troub-
les with his wife began in 1856, when his
family was residing in Bristol, the notice
of the number of debts which she had
incurred having reached him while on
duty on the Pcnobsc9t He had remon
strated with her in writing from abroad
and on his return paid as many as posi-
bic of the bills and gave her about five
hundred dollars in gold. When the
landlord called for his rent he asked
what she had done with the money, but
received no answer. When about to sail
on the Tacomie Mr.. Melville gave his
wife fifty dollars, to pay a bill Of DR.. Me
Arthur. and afterwards received a letter
from the physician, threatening him with
disgrace in tie navy if the bill should
not be paid at once.
As far back as 1877, on his arrival home
after long absence, his wife told him
that she had been accused by the neigh
bors of being addicted to drink and 2sk-
ed him If We would believe il. lie said
that he would rot until lie could sCc
proof Of It, One Sunday morning after
wards his wife offered to caress him,
when he detected the smell of liquor on
her breath. He told her to go away.
On another occasion, when the engineer
returned from trial trip on which he
had gone that morning, she met him at
the railway station and on the way back
to the house she fell down and he and a
friend assisted her home. This was also
attributed to intoxication.
His RECENT RETURN FROM TIRE POLE.
Speaking of the circumstances sur
rounding his return from the late Arctic
expedition Mr.. Melville said that imme-
datcly on his arrival in New York he
was rendered public reception there and
accepted a similar invitation in this city
Arriving here late in the afternoon, the
entertainment was given that evening,
and the following evening he was to be
greeted on his return to Sharon Hill with
an illumination and a reception at his
own house. Reaching there he was met
at the door by his eldest daughter Maud,
who threw her arms about him and kiss
ed him. Taking his two younger chill
drcn by the hand he entered the house
in search of his wife, whom he found in
the dining-room. Her hair was dishev-
eled and her whole appearance indicated
disorder of mind and body.
"Are you glad to see me, George ?n
were her first words, to which Mr.. Mel
vile replied, mo, he was not.' Her re-
sponse was "Well, then, it is all over /;
60 out and see your friends" In the
dining room was a crowd. eating and
drinking. He was disguised and. leav-
ing the house, jumped over the fence and
went away in the hope that the people
would disperse. Returning in an hour
he closed up the house and wentup stairs
Mrs. Melville said: Don't disgrace me.
George" Disgrace be-" was the re-
ply. There's more disgrace here than
have seen before, and the large crowd
of people who gathered to do me an hon
or have witnessed my dlshonor.'
SENDING HER TO TIE ASYLUM.
Mr. Melville then retired to The parlor
where he was followed by his wife, who
was excited. She threatened TO shoot
him and the children and TO set the
house on fire. Lest she should put her
threat into execution he went to the
magistrate at Darby, informed him Of the
condition Of affairs, and returned home
accompanied by the latter. BY this time
she appeared TO be quiet at the house
and he went over TO neirhbor's, where
i he remained during the rest Of the night
l Ilr IpnOStrath OF D c,,,,-o.-t,1.. -