Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-10
ENGINEER MELvlLLE,s WIFE.
Painful Story of Domestic InfcIicity
Told by the Jeannctte's Engineer.

from the Train at Media, Pa, Monday morning,
most of whom came from Sharon HILL the home OF
Caief Engineer Mefvllle's family. Most OF them
were to be witnesses in the Delaware county
court in the habeas corpus proceedings brought
by Melville 90 recover from his wife the custody
OF his children. Judge Futhey. OF West Chester
took seat beside Judge Clayton, and remained
for some time during the bearing. The return to
the writ covered ten pages and spoke in severe
terms OF the conduct OF Melville. After counter
statement, traversing generally and specifically
the allegations in the return had been presented
and FLED, Melville took the stand. One OF the
counsel for Mrs Melville objected to the oath being
administered to the Intended witness on the
ground that he did not believe in God and future
placed On bis vor dire, and said that though pose
sibly. for the sake OF argument, he had denied the
existence OF God, he had the usual religious con-
vfctions and observed the sanctity of an OATH
The court directed the witness to be sworn.
THE CHIEF ENarNEER's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Melville testified that he had entered the
navy In 1861 and has since remained in the service
OF the government During the last three years,
while absent on the Jeanette expedition, he had
allowed his wife $50 month for her support and
he use of the house at Sharon HILL During the
last thirteen months his wife had succeeded In
drawing an additional $50 a month. On his recent
return home he discovered that he was 81 sou In
TIE troubes with his wf n BEGAN IN % When
his family residing In Bristol, the notice OF the
| number Of debts which she had incurred having
had demonstrated with her in writing from abroad
and on his return paid as many as possible OF the
bills and gave her about $500 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 $50 to pay bill of Dr. Macarthur,
and afterwards received letter from the physi-
clan; threatening him with disgrace in the navy If
the bill should not be paid at once
AS far back as 1877 on his arrival home after a
long absence, his wife told him that she had been
accused by the neghbnrs OF being addicted to
said that he would not until he should proof OF
it. One Sunday morning afterwards 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 a trial trip on which he had gone that
on the way back to the house she fell down and he
and a friend assisted her home. This was also
attributed to intOXicat.On.
HIS RECENT RETURN FROM THE POLE.
Speaking OF the circumstances surrounding his
return from the late Arctic expedition Mr.. Mel
Vile said that Immediately on his arrival in New
York he was rendered public reception there and
accepted similar invitation In this city. Arrlv-
ing 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
house. Reaching there he was met at the door by
his eldest daughter, Maud, who threw her arms
about him II, and kissed him Taking hts two
In search OF his wife, whom he found. in the din
ing-room. Her hair was dishe veled and her whole
appearance indicated disorder OF mind and body.
''Are you glad to see me- George?" were her first
words, to which Mr.. Melville replied no, he was
not: Her response was: WELL then, 1t is all over:
was crowd. eating and drinking. He was dis
susted, ana, leaving 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 went up stairs Mrs. Melville
said: Don't disgrace Inc, George" "Disgrace
be was the reply. "1here's more disgrace
here than have ever seen before, and the large
crowd OF people who have gathered to do me
honor have witnessed my dish0nor."
SENDING HER TO THE 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 fire to the house. Lest she should put her
threat INTO execution he went to the magistrate at
Darby. informed him or 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 a neighbours where he re-
NAMED during the rest OF the night. DR.. Long
streth, at his suggestion. and accompanied by DR..
BartiesOn, gave certificate Of insanity, and his
vile WIS committed to the Norristown asylum for
the insane, since which time the husband and wi e
did not meet until yesterday
THE WITNESS CROSS EXAMINED
The witness was turned over to the defense for
the cross-examination Of Counselor Shapley. On
being questioned very closely concerning the dis
appearance of the letters written by him to Mrs.
Melville during his absence, he often hesitated,
making at times long pauses, and showed signs OF
embarrassment, but he finally said that he ordered
his sister and gentleman friend to take away
such letters as might be of Importance to him.
"iou keep liquor In your house and drink, Mr..
Melville, do you not ?" inquired Counselor Snap
"Yes, sir. do, and have drank 1t, and my Wife.
too was the reply.
"Why did you not kiss your wife on your return,
after three years absence, Mr.. Melville 2"
81 could not kiss her in the condition she was
in"
.Dd you kiss your children?"
"Were they in the same condition."
''NO, sir, they were not"
"Mr. Melville, where were you on Christmas
day."
SIN Philadelphia. SIR"
children?"
mo; sent no Christmas presents to my chill
dren."
"Have you ever threatened to obtain divorce
from your wife?"
"No"-(hesitatingly)
mot during the last three months?"
81 might have done So"
Not during the last few years?"
Eyes Sir"
"Have you not repeated the threat more than
once?"
"Imay have done so: yes SIR"
mir. Melville, did you not at one time, when you
shoot ber?"
(Wtness turning very red.) "No, sir; the pistol
went OH when she or l was handling 1t. 1 am not
positive it was in my possession. was showing
the woman the pistol The bullet lodged in the
chimney"
did not the bullet lodge In pantry door close
to where she stood with her back to your"
6 1t might have done So"
"Did you ever point pistol at her while by her
side in bed?"
''Never!" I'm laundering tone)
DR.. w. Fisher LOngStreth testified that he gave
a certificate OF Mrs. Melvlles insanity resulting
from alcoholism, upon which she was admitted to
the asylum. When visited by HIM she was labor
ing under great excitement, though generally ra-
t1Onal in conversation.
WHAT SOME NRIGHBORS SAID.
Mary Bennett, servant, who lived for i've
years with the Melville family, said she thought
that she had seen her mistress more than dozen
times under the influence of liquor. She could
only remember two instances in particular On
| cross examination she at lrst denied having been
known BY any other name than Bennett, but sub
seQuently admitted that until within few wears
she had been known by the name of Ryan. ZenIa
Spencer, colored servant, called on behalf of Mr.
Melville, admitted having seen Mrs. Melville drink
| beer, but denied ever having seen her under the
| In fluence OF liquor. Mrs. Helen C. Frink. who
| lived in a neghbOrng house, thought that on two
! or three occasions, when she had been with Mrs
Melville, the latter's appearance ana conduct In
| dcated fondness for sttmulants The
| witness went on to express her own per
s0nal disapprObation of such q habit ex.
| Claiming with dramatic emphasis :-"I never
could have lived with any man or kiss
| the lips of one whose breath indicated the
presence OF liquor" On cross examination the