The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-21
A GRASS WIDOWS GAME.
She Says that H. C. cleveland is the
Father Of her Unborn Child.

Quite little stir was created on the
streets Yesterday evening when the news
was whispered around that Hon. II. G.
cleveland had been arrested in Spring
field on the charge of bastarday Some
would hardly believe it, and others would
not until it was shown to them in print
specials to the Chicago papers. Then
every one had to give in, but few, how
ever would entertain the idea that be
was guilty.
The affair. as learned, is about as fol-
lows; Mrs. Anna Hanl;ne, alias Mrs.
A Sherman, is grass widow of Spring
field She has two children aud is
about to become the mother of another,
and charges that H. c. Cleaveland is the
father of it. Tuesday, she swore out a
warrant for cleveland, charging him with
bastardy. cleveland at once went before
justice and gave bonds for his appear
ance on the 10th of July.
The following is the special to the
Chicago Herald, concerning the matter:
SPRrNGFIELD, Ill, June 19th.-The
Hon. Henry Cleayeland, representative in
the Thirty-third General Assembly from
Rock Island, gave bonds in police court
in this city to-day, to answer to charge Of
hastardy, on the 10th of July. The com
plainant is thirty-year-old grass widow
by the name of Mrs. Annie Hinline, alias
Mrs. A Sherman. She is the mother ot
two little girls, and expects an increase in
the family, which she swears the festive
| legislator is responsible for. Mr. Cleave
land has been rather dissipated during the
session. He achieved his first public no
toriety IN this direction by participation
in the notorious Rock scandal Thi
affair savors of blackmail, and is so re
garded here. Mr.. cleveland says there
is no other reason for the suit, and tina
he is not guilty of the charge. He will
bring counter-suit on the charge o
blackmaIl He left, to-day, for home
Other sensations are reported as liable Il
be made public, and general writing III
of the debaucheries of members is threat.
ened BY local papers which have not beer
satisfactorily subsidized.
The correspondent of the Times tele
graphs his paper:
"The legislative circles are treated to
sensation this morning regarding
one of the members of the house, H
G. Cleaveland, of Rock Island, agains
whom a woman named Hanline residlns
in this city, has sworn out warrant
charging him with being the father of he
unborn child. Cleaveland at once ap
peared before Justice Kane and CAV
bond for his appearance to answer tn
charge. He proposes to fight, saying h
had numerous opportunities to settle tn
matter on financial basis. but refuses t
liquidate. His friends intimate all sorts o
charges against the lady, and if the trial
which is set for July comes to an issue
will create quite little breeze Cleaye
land has gone home, but previous t
leaving the city announced his determins
ton to return and resist the matter to tn
best of his ability"
As will be seen by the specials tn
affair is looked upon in Springfield a
blackmail, and is looked upon as such b
many in this city, Still few nod thei
heads and mutter. The woman, it seem:
does not bear very good reputation, an
has been sailing under different name.
Such women lay around the places wher
legislative bodies meet, and take ever
opportunity to blackmail members. The
are of the slickest and most designin
class. In making up their verdict, OF
citizens should not forget that she
undoubtedly of this stripe.