Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-02-19
TRAGIC TRIAL.
Remarkable Developments Brought
Forth In a Divorce Suit.
The Wife Of Wealthy Gentleman Proves to
Have Been the Wife Of a Convict F.,
A Dramatic Seene-A
Fatal Meeting
AFTER THIRTY YEARS ABSENCE.

ST. LOUIS, February ls-A remarkable
divorce case is now before the courts here.
The plaintiffs William Waddingham and
the defendant his wife, Pauline. Mr.. Wad-
bingham has been resident Of ST. Louis all
his life, and is the possessor of great wealth,
being reputed to be worth from $500, 900 70
$780, He met his wife for the first time
in St. Louis about thirty years ago. She
was then known as Pauline Hulett. They
were married on the S0th of August, 1853.
The plaintiff alleges that shortly after mar
rying he discovered that his wife's repute
was not entirely satisfactory, and for this
reason he left her, having lived with her
less than a year. She went to reside in
Pultney, VT, where, according to the ale
cations, she led questionable life, though
be RENTED to her for over twenty years
500 per month. A short time ago he acci.
dentally discovered that at the time he
married her she had another husband, one
Chas. X. Gavin, still living, and IL was up
on this ground that he brought spit for di-
vorce.
In l8i3, Gavin and Pauline Hulett lived
together as man and wife. Shortly after
this period Gavin wandered eastward, and,
being caught in an act of grand larceny,
was sent TO the Auburn penitentiary for
three years While he was in prison his
wife went TO the bad, and he became sort
of wanderer, serving shortly thereafter
term in the Columbus penitentirry
For Counterfeiting.
For the past few years his family and &C.
ouaintances have nearly lost sight of him,
Il It (..R
thirty years, supposed him dead.
In response 10 the damaging charges,
Mrs. Waddingham enters general denial.
She alleges in her answer, that she was
never married TO Chas. II. Gavin, but thata
cousin of hers, who greatly resembled her,
named Martha Jane ii iskins, was the one
who married Gavin. AS TO the testimony
concerning her habits OF life in Pultney,
she simply says that the witness swears
falsely. Gavin has been in st. Louis for
several days, though his presence was kept
rather quiet. Monday was the day set for
a hearing OF further depositions in behalf
Of the plaintiff and the defendant had been
duly notified TO be on hand at the office OF
Mr. Waddingham's attorneys. The pur-
pose Of Mr.. Wadoingham was TO surprise
The defense by the production OF Gavin.
He and his attorneys, with Gavin. were on
hand before 10 o'clock At that hour the
defendant with her attorney, arrived, and
scene
Intensely Dramatic
in its details ensued. Mrs. Waddingham,
who is well preserved woman, seem ingly
about IS years Of age, and OF small aud
shapely figure. came into the roem. with Q
smile on her face, certainly unconscious OF
the trap that had been laid for her. Gavin
was standing against the wall and facing
the door when tie woman entered the
doorway. He looked her directly in the
face but gave no sign OF recognition. She
gazed at him q moment as il she had sud-
denly been confronted BY an apparition,
then threw her hands into the air and stag.
gering toward a corner OF the room, called
out in frantic tones, Charles! Charles''
Charles" and then fell on the carpet In q
bys,erical iit After being revived she
looked wildly around and said, in scarcely
audible tones. IL thought he was dead.
Gavin stood there all the time, with his
hands behind his back, staring at his wife,
hut saving not a word. His stolid face be.
trayed no emotion whatever, and he looked
on with the inditfent air OF a spectator who
had no concern in what was transpirlng.
When the lady was led away he coOlly re-
marked. That's her." lie was then
put on the stand his disposition pro-
ceeded.
AFatRI Call.
The most sensational as well as me!an.
choly episode of this extraordinary domes.
tic tragedy has yet 10 be recorded. II was
the intention of the plaintiffs attorney TO
place the defendant on the stand and try
10 obtain her admission under oath, but II
was discovered that she had returned to
Mexico on Monday night, and this was i'm.
practicable. To leave no further doubt on
the question OF the previous marriage, DIR.
Nichols left for Detroit Tuesday night TO
procure additional testimony, II not the
actual record. lie took Gavin with him,
and il was part Of their trap, there to have
him identified as the Charles X. Gavin who
lived there in 1915 Gavins mother has
been living in Detroit for fifty years, her
recent home being at I0l Catherine street.
Yesterday morning Gavin and bis attor.
ney called there TO see Mrs. Marsh, aud q
telegraph dispatch received yesterday
afternoon gives an account OF the success
Of the call II appears that Mrs. Marsh has
b.en in n weakened state OF health for
IT any years. and on account OF her age and
many family affairs, bad lost vitality both
OF body and mind. A short time ago she
lost her favorite son. a lawyer In Detroit,
ard she bad believed her son Charles dead
for many years. When the two callers
tapped at the door. yesterday, and 1t was
opened by a girl, who conducted them 10
a room where the old lady was seated. She
rose TO receive them but at the same mo.
ment she recognized her lost son, and
screaming out his name, fell dead.