Delta chief., 1884-05-21

received word from his wife in the
East that she had applied for legal sep
aration, and he accordingly filed II
cross bill. The wifes application was
sustained. DR.. Courtrights was not
allowed on the ground that he had fur
nished his wife means of support with
in year. Soon after re-establishing
himself in this city last fall, he made
the acquaintance of Mrs. Jennie Chat
ham, who occupies a handsome brick
residence at 1882 Main street. DR..
Courtright called quite frequently. and
the neighbors began to remark that the
handsome widow was about to be mar
ried.
DR.. Courtright's attentions did not
escape the notice of Mr.. c. +. Harris, a
telegraph operator employed at the
Western Union Office, who occupied a
room at the residence of Mrs. Chatham.
He was himself smitten. and regarded
the attentions of the handsome doctor
with an eye of jealousy. His passion
drove him to desperation, and about
two weeks ago he proposed for the
hand of the handsome widow and was
refused. He persisted, and by some
means gained her consent, and the
nuptials were arranged for Tuesday
evening at $50 O'Clock. Everything
was in readiness, the marriage license
had been obtained. and Rev. DIR. K. NJ.
Barns, pastor of the Grand Avenue
Methodist church. had consented TO
perform the ceremony, and the bride
was awaiting the arrival of the expect
ed hour, when in burst DR.. Courtright,
who, at the last moment, had learned
of the approaching nuptials. A few
moments conversation and all was eX-
planned She had consented to marry
Harris much against her wishes. so she
said, and would willingly desert him.
even at the altar. No sooner said than
done. Her cloak was quickly thrown
about her, and they passed rapidly out
the rear entrance of the residence and
into a carriage, at he very moment
the groom. accompanied by DR.. Barns,
WAS entering at the front door. The
groom sought in vaip for his bride, and
failing to find her. left the house, swear
ing vengeance. The storm being over.
the bride that was to be, returned.
plans in the meantime having been ar
ranged whereby repetition of the
scenes of the evening before would be
rendered impossible. The sequel shows
what the plan was.
Early yesterday morning DR.. Court
right and Mrs. Chatham were driven
over TO Wyandotte, and q marriage IL
ccnse having been obtained. they were
married at the Russ house at nine
o'clock. Justice X. +. Cable officiat-
ing.
To Times reporter who called at
the residence on Main street last eve
ming. DR.. Courtright stated that he re-
GREETED very much the occasion for
making any statement, but could say
that he had been impelled by the purest
motives. Harris had compelled Mrs.
Chatham into promising TO marry him.
and he considered it his duty to aid
her, That they had af,erward beca
married he did not consider anybody's
business.
Mrs. Courtright. in reply 10 a look of
surprise at the remark. that she had
been forced to give her consent, said:
"ies. such is the case
This is how i, all came about Har-
ris. some two weeks since proposed TO
me and was refused. 1had no thought
of marrying any one. Notwithstanding
the assertions of the neighbors who
told him so. He denied it, and sad
WAS betro.hed to DIR. Courtright This
disclaimcd. He persisted. proposing
to me every day. until he became a
perfect pest. Sunday he was more than
ever persistent. and swore dire VEN
gcance on the doctor. whom he accused
OF dcpriving him of his hearts desire
| Finally, seeing no way 10 get rid of
him, | consented to marry him. stating
that could not do so until fall. | had
no thought of keeping my promise and
intended to shield the doctor. whom
firmly believed he would have harmed
at that time, as he was very much ex-
cited. He even demanded that | should
lock my doors against his rival. You
can readily understand that l was con-
| sidcrably surprised on returning home
Tuesday afternoon from trip down
town to learn from MIR. Harris. who
met me at the door, that he had Sc
cured the services of minister, and
that we were to be married that eve
thought the matter calmly over. and
seeing no way out of the difficulty. con-
scntcd not to interfere with the nup-
tials. The opportune arrival of DR..
Courtright | consider rs my saliva
| ton.
What did Mr.. Harris say when he
| found YOU had been marriedp"
His passion seems to have cooled
considerably, and he came to the doc.
tor this afternoon. and, offering him
the pistol he had purchased to kill