The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-28
THE MINISTER'S WIFE.
After a Little Trip with a Friendly Deacon
She Returns to Her Fathers Roof


Bridgehampton Ga. IL Special
Mrs. Carrie Downs wife of the Congregational
minister at Worthwhile, who created such a SEN
sation by clipping with Deacon G. Mitchell Ter
ry, few weeks ago, created at least neighbour
hood sensation yesterday by returning to the
house Of her father Mr. Hand, in this place.
Mr. Hand is rich and perfectly willing to pro-
vide for his daughter Mrs. Downs was not visi-
BILE to anyone but the ynemberS of the Hand fam
lily after she crossed the threshold of the parental
mansion. She was looking somewhat fieshier
than when she went away, the change from
the rugged Long Island climate to the mlder
temperature of Virginia having evidently
agreed with her She was accompanied by L
male member and trustee of the Worthwhile
church, who had the bad taste to indicate tn
identity of Mrs. Downs to persons who did ne
hesitate to spread the news, and everybody
aboard the train mad a good look at the trim
little woman, who gazed steadily upon the
fields under their blankets of snow and t.le
picturesque forest which occasionally inter
vened.
The Downs and Hand families have, it is
said been negotiating for a reconciliation be-
tween husband and wife, and the womans re-
turn has led to the belief in this community
that an affirmative understanding has been
reached A friend of MIR. Downs, however,
states there is not shadow of hope, and he
predicts that out of the womans return will
grow a bitter legal contest between the
two families. 1t ia matter of record that Mr.
Downs's divorce silt is well under way If he
persists in the tria of this suit his wife may de-
fend. as her friend say now that her relation
with Deacon Terry was limited to that of a
daughter towards father. If not reconcied, it
is not the natter of divorce that will be hti-
gated. but the custody of the two children, one
of which Mrs. Downs left in the custody of Mrs
Terry when she went off with the deacon. 1t is
even said that it was heart breaking desire to
see these children that really led Mrs. Downs
back here and if this be true and Mr. Downs
excludes her from their presence, the trouble
will begin at once.
While Mrs Downs admittedly communicated
with her parents and expressed desire to be
forgiven and restored to favor with her husband,
it is denied that Mr.. Terry has craved his wife's
pardon Yesterday Mr.. Terry travelled as far
as Jamaica with Mrs Downs, and their parting
was not it is said indicative of mutual aversion.
Mr.. Terry returned to the city. The statement
in a city paper that Mr.. Hand would insist that
Mr.. Terry should support Mrs. Downs, is de-
MED with warmth. The family hope that she
may never SEQ him again, but most likely that
will depend somewhat on the course pursued by
Mrs Downs. Deacon Terry is said
to fear that he would be sued
for damages by Mr. Downs if he returned
to this county, and perhaps locked up in de-
fault of bail His friends think he will go to
Florida ard engage in farming. He has sister
somewhere in that State, who eloped with her
brotherin-law from Worthwhile. Mrs Terry.
it is said, has resolved never to leave her old
home.
The Rev Mr.. Downs intended to serve the
summons in his divorce suit by publication, the
wherea bouts of his wife being unknown, but
now that she is within iurisdct4p of the court
personal service will be required, and on that
will depend everything. Mrs. Downs has very
rich aunt at Narragansett, after whom she was
named. and with whom she was always great
favorite, who has expressed q desiIe to have
Mrs Downs livAwith her and inherit her fortune.
So she is assured of home anyway