Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-10-10
BLALNES PITTsBURG MARRIAGE

A dispatch from Chicago, dated October
9, says "The deposition of ex-Congress-
man John V. Lemoyne, of this city, in the
suit Of Jas. G. Blaine against the lndianape-
lis Sentinel was taken this morning before
Sheldon W. Burnham, deputy clerk of the
United States Court. Mr.. Lemoyne was one
of the witnesses TO the marriage which was
solemnized between Mr.. Blaine and his wife
at Pittsburg, Pa, in March, 1861. At the
taking of the deposition there were present
Mr.. Lemoyne, w. c. Cloudy, representing
the indianapolis Sentinel. w. II. Ii. Miller,
Of the firm of Harrison, Elan u Miller,
Indianapolis, representing Mr.. Blaine, and
representative of the Sentinel
In answer to the nterrogatores Of Mr.
Cloudy, Mr.. Lemoyne said, in substance,
that he and Mr.. Blaine were classmates in
college at Washington, Pa. He lost sight of
him for several years. In March, 1861, Mr..
and asked him il he would be willing to
witness a secret marriage between himself
and lady, and in explanation said that
she was stopping temporarily at hotel,
being in the act of passing through the city
Mr.. Blaine went on to say that they were
DESTROYS of being married, but the ceremony
would have TO be secret, as the lady's friends
were opposed TO the match. Mr.. Lemoyne
expressed his willingness to be present
Mr.. Blaine then said that if he (Mr. Lee
moyne) would procure the services of a
minister and another witness, he would see
that the lady was brought from the hotel
Mr.. Lemoyne agreed to this, and went TO
Rev. Mr.. Bryan, pastor of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, arranged Ia have the
ceremony performed by him at the pastors
house. He got ID. w. Bell, an attorney of
Pittsburg. now living, rs witness The
two repaired 10 the minister's house, and
shortly after their arrival Mr.. Blaine came
with lady. The party met in sitting
room. The lady was introduced by Mr..
Blaine To Mr.. Lemoyne as Miss Harriet
Stanwood The witness could not distin
guish her form or features, IA she was en-
veloped in large cloak or shawl AMI had
Il heavy black veil over her face The cere-
nony was very short. The bride aud groom
left the house and the witnesses followed
Immediately. There was paper signed,
but whether he or Mr.. Bryan gave il to
Mr. Blaine, or what were its contents, Mr..
Lemoyne could not now recnllect, Mr..
Blaine called on the deponent either the day
following or the day subsequent Ia that, and
requested Mr.. Lemoyne not to say anything
about the marriage until the period Of six
months had passed he also asked the de.
ponent TO make the same request of Mr.,
Bell, the other witness 10 the ceremony"
The committee ON expenditures in the
Department OF Justice has concluded its
Investigations of the star route frauds. Its
report reminds us of the familiar fact that
not only contractors but many persons in
high official station in the government were
participants in the thefts Of the star route
cotorie. There was fraudulent service upon
ninety three routes Upon forty of these
the fraudulent payments aggregated $2,172,-
1872, not Ia mention the losses incurred upon
the other iiity-three. During the Hayes adj
ministration the losses 10 the government
for star route frauds exceeded $4,000,000. A
route is mentioned from which the annual
revenue was 1901, and upon which during
thirty nine days not a single letter passed.
Yet this route was expedited" ut a cost OF
$4,000 per annum. As much as $4,000 a
year was given on another route, the mail
Of which the contractor could carry in his
boot leg. Mr.. Bliss management OF the star
route cases is criticised. The report closes
with the significant remark that whatever
the cause Of the failure Of the star route
prosecutions, the fact is incontesLable that
no civil suits have yet been instituted 10 re-
cover the vast sums confessedly stolen from
the government.