The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
THE BLAINE SENTINEL SUIT,
Some Strong Testimony for the Plaintiff by
a Disinterested Witness.

1t is probable that the most of the evidence
which will be introduced at the trial of the
Blaine-Sentinel libel suit will be in the form Of
remote parts of the country from here. 1t Is
said that an attorney employed by the Sentinel
to visit Kentucky and collect testimony for use
in the defense of the case has failed to
find any reputable citizens who will
affirm the truthfulness Of the libelous charges,
and the only affidavit that could be procured was
from a worthless fellow named Hawkins, who is
the originator Of the story that the marriage Of
Blaine was forced at the point of a shotgun.
In an interview given in a special dispatch to
the Globe Democrat, John Randall, one OF the
strongest Democrats in Bosque county, Texas,
gives an explanation Of how the shotgun
story probably originated Randall was
a pupil in the college at George
town, KY, when Blaine was a teacher there
under Prof. johnson. He says that on one oc-
casion a director became involved in a quarrel
with johnson and attacked him, being mucn
stronger than the principal Blaine, who heard
the Quarrel, came into the schoolroom, and,
upbraiding the director for his cowardlce, al
ministered a sound thrashing, driving MIN from
the building. The director Went for q snotg1n,
and, returning. would have killed Blame pu0 LOT
the e~xertions of several of the pupils, VINO ais
armed him and gave him another thrashing.
Randall says Blaineis attentions to Miss stan
wood were open and honorable, and that the
pupils of both knew the election existed, Inc
boys teasing Blaine about it, and that It was
known for weeks beforehand that they were to
be married. No breath of scandal had been
heard. The scholars all understood that when
the session was over the couple would De mar
ried, and as it had been determined to end the
- - ---E n~scndn & IN
the afternoon of the same dav James G. Blame
and Miss Stanwood were quietly married, babe
good bye to their scholars and went north.
Hawkins saw the shotgun business and heard OF
the marriage, SO put the two together, telling
the cock and bull story of how Miss Stanwoods
father had made Blaine marry mis- daughter.
Randall states further that he knows that
Mr.. Stanwood had been dead over three years
before the time of this woman'sm marriage.
A special TO the Chicago Tribune from Pitts
burgh, says that IA representative of the In
dianapolis Sentinel was in Pittsburg for q week
or more looking up evidence in regard to the
suit. He visited a number of prominent men
and worked in secret with such aid as ne could
obtain. The points which he wished to locate
definitely were where the marriage took place,
when it took place, who performed it, and what
records existed of the fact that the marriage did
not take place in Kentucky, as is generally sup
posed. 1t is stated that the Sentinel representa-
tive discovered that the marriage took place IN
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on
Sixth avenue. The ceremony was performed by
the Rev. DR.. Bryan, the pastor of the church,
who died a number of years ago. The marriage
is said to have taken place at dusk, and there
were two witnesses. One of them was the Hon.
John ". LIE Moyne, formerly of Washington,
Pa, and ex- member of Congress from Illinois.
The name of the other witness has not been
told. Mr.. LIE Moyne was a c~oliege-mate of Mr..
Blaine for two or three years, or rather was q
classmate. and knew him intimately. It is said
a. L xl1 1890 hoA NJ Ploixnn acEaA him fn
witness the ceremony. After it was performed
Mr.. LIE Moyne was sworn to secrecy for six
months, and at the end of that time was enjoined
to a longer period of secrecy