Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-29
A FLIGHT
Across the Atlantic to Avoid an
Insane Asylum.
Too Much Mother-in-Law and Helpless Son
Causes Rifle in the Course
Of True Love.

New York, June 2S.-Florence NJ. Ora
per, niece OF the late Simeon Draper, who
was Collector OF the Port of New York
went 20 Europe in lSGS with her father,
the late Theodore S. Draper, and in the
following year met Henry A. De Nell in
Dresden, where he was temporarily rcsid'
ing with his parents. They were married
at the American chapel in Dresden, by the
Rev. DR.. Mombert, on March l, 1870. In
the following May they went to George
town, Col, where Mr.. DE Nell intended to
follow his profession OF mining engineer.
They remained there but a short time.
Mrs. De Nell.
whose suit for limited divorce and Sepa.
rate maintenance was before Judge Dono-
hue yesterday, asserts that after their re-
turn to Dresden her husband began ID treat
her cruelty and to act meanly and COntemp'
tuously toward her parents, so that she
was compelled to Give up their society. He
refused, she says, TO allow her mother to
visit her when she was sick. He became
addicted to drinking, and, when intoxiCat-
ed, threatened her so that she was in fear
OF bodily harm. He kicked his infant son,
until she feared he would some time kill
the child. Her mother-in law, Mrs. De
Nell, says. showed decided dislike to her
from the beginning. and her husband
compelled her 10 apologize to his mother
whenever the latter
Vented Her Spite
upon her, and to admit she was wrong
when, in fact, she was not. In October,
lSSl, her mother.in.law abused her tiercely
on meeting her in the street, in Dresden,
saying: "NOu are pauper, and the bread
~. ~ o,,H
are crazy. and everybody knows il. and |
will soon find the place best for you
Mrs. De Nell says that when she got
home she complained to her husband OF
this treatment, especially of the charge OF
insanity. He replied that undoubtedly his
mother was right. The same evening he
called in physician, who, after a private
conference with her husband, put questions
to her which seemed based on the asSump'
tiOn that her mind was disordered. She
told the physician what had occurred, and
he prescribed rest and quiet.
After this her husband intimated to her
that she would probably have to 60 toa
Lunatic Asylum.
He took her children and household out
OF her management, and circulated the re-
port that she was unable TO take care OF
them. She became so fearful OF being put
into al asylum that she fled from Dresden,
and, selling her jewelEy to pay her way,
came here.
She also complains that after her de-
parture from Dresden her husband charged
her with having been unfaiihful to him.
She asks, in her complaint, that she have
the custody OF her two children, aged eight
and twelve years.
In his answer Mr.. De Nell sets up that
the Supreme Court has ne jurisdiction in
The case because he is 6 resident OF Ger.
many, where he intends to remain, and
where he has begun
Suit for BivOsse
on the ground OF deseEtion. He asserts that
he has no income other than that which
his mother provides. He denies the charges
Of cruelty, and says that when he spoke Of
having her 60 to an institution it was only
10 give her needed rest when she had over.
worked herself while attending bazsa. for
the benefit Of the American chapel in
Dresden, of which he was senior warden
He says he learned after she had deserted
him that in 1880 and 1884, there had been
an improper intimacy between her and
Baron Heine Won Geyso.
When the case was called yesterday il
was decided that the question of iurisdio.
tion should be tried first. Mrs. De Nell
was the only witness examined. She testi
fed that her husband during their STAY in
Europe had no permanent residence, and
slways registered at the hotels as from
New York. The trial VIII be continued,