Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-21
COLONEL BETHUHE's WIDOW.
The Divorce From Her Frat Hu,
hand Said TO Have Been "a Nuliliy

The Divorce From Her Frat Hus
band Said to Have Been u Nuiiiiy.
For some time past there la L.-n
handing In the New York oonrts agai at
Colonel Bethuns, who WAS killed a. the
p. W. & B. railroad station o. Ssi' rday
evening, suit for support, whi.h was
instituted by his wife, who is now in
this oity.
Homer Hildreth, Esq, Of New York,
counsel for the defense, was seen at the
Grand Union Hotel Monday by repre-
sentative Of the GAZETTE AND JOURNAL. At
first Mr.. Hilireth declined to talk about
the case, but, when the reporter informed
him that 1t is being freely discussed in
this city, he, in order to have the true
facts of the matter made public, said
''For nearly 80 years tue deceased was
a bachelor and, upon his return to New
York from his concert tours, he aud Blind
Tom were in the habit of putting up at
Elsie Stutzbaok's, (now Mrs.
Bethune), who kept furnished apart
meu,s at No. 7 St. Marks
Place. She appeared to be deeply inter.
ested In Mr.. Bethune and he, supposinp
that ehe had been divorced from
November 18th, 1882. Leaving her
in New York City shortly afterwards
with enough money to support her until
his return, he went on southern tour
as far as Mexico. He wrote frequently
during hie absence and returned home
the following June. While he was away
she moved froIn st. Marks Place to One
Hundred and Thirty. fifth street with
ont informing him of her change
of residence. Alter some effort he
found her, however, and lived with her
at her new home for a week. He then
wanted her to 60 down town
to live, but she would not con.
sent. Going down town he secured
apartments and wrote to her to come and
Join him, but she declined. After that
they lived apart, aud she brought suit
against him for abandonment and sup.
port"
Continuing, Mr.. Hildreth said : "Mr.
Bethune came to me and engaged me as
counsel. | examined the records Of the
supreme court and asosrtsined
that Mrs. Bethupe's divorce suit
from her first husband had been
nuiiity because IT had not been conducted
according to the statutes. Mrs. Bethune's
object WAS to get hold Of her hus-
bands property. She has offered to
settle for 100000, but the deceased
would not consent. Mrs. Bethune ia SO
years Of age. Mr.. Bethune had been in
New York for several days giving testi-
mony, and was returning to his sisters,
In Washington, on Saturday night
Manager Harrison CT Steinway Hall,
New York, was also seen, and he spoke
fondly of the deceased.
Blind Tom is now in North Carolina.
In response to the summons of Coroner
Smith Jurors Il. q. Dawson, William B.
Jetfsris, Merris Taylor, Daniel b. Wood
ward, Robert B. Morrow, John +. Speok,
W. s. McNair, William Bvsns and Nehe-
miah Joseph assembled at Palmer's un-
dertaking establishment at IL q. m.
Tuesday for the purpose Of inquiring into
the death of Colonel John G.. Bethunp,
Blind Toms manager, at the p, W. & b.
railroad station shortly after midnight
Saturday. DR.. Speck was made chairman
and Mr.. McNair secretary.
Special officer Thomas, Charles H.
Ford, John c. MoCsulley, Theodore
Brown, Samuel Henry, l.. F. Harrison,
William T. Wolf and Frank BatemeD, all
railroad employees, we're examined. Mr..
Thomas described the accident and aleo
mentioned what articles had been found
In the dead mans pockets. In the
testimony Of the witness, which, In
effect, was the game as what has been
published, there was no material differ
enoe except in Theodore Browns, who
was under the impression that Bethupe
Krasped the rails OF two cars and, while
trying to leap upon the platform of one
of them, jumped bstween them.
After a short delibsration the jury rem
dered verdio. OF accidental death,
Soon after the inquest was begun Mrs.
Bethune walked from ths jury room into
an ante room, which was not 30 warm
and in which she could hear all
that was said. During the recital
OF the sad accident she, with
with bowed head and tear bedimmed eye'
sat quietly beside the rough box which
afterward encased the cssket in which
the dead repossd, and, after the verdict
had been rendered, she ran out itto thu
room aud, pao ny to aud fro, loudly
demanded that the remains hr given t.
her ard protested agsii st them beins
taken away. Becoming abusive and ex
oeedingly obnoxious abe and her counsel
Mr.. Lerche 81 Lsrohe & Bryant, New
York City, were II formed by the cornne
that he was ''running this machine,
and that he was becoming tired Of th
way in which they we're acting. Becom
ing little ealmer Mrs Bstbune walke'
out upon the sidewalk, and, meeting
Homer Hildreth, Esq counsel for he
Iak. A. kt.x,, ,utt 4, hal, y,
Gauss of her trubles, and made strike a
him with her fist. lie evaded the blow
however, and entered Mr. Palmer's estat
lishment. Mrs. Bethune followed hir
aud, grasping him by the collar, raise
her umbrella aud tried to it hun.
Coroner Smith, who was standing near
seized hold Of her, and, before the blo'
could descend, hurried her out into til
street. The coroner stated that he woul
give the remains to Gen. Bethune, al
while the oasket was being placed in MI
Pslmer's wagon, preparatory to bsin
sent to the railroad station, Mrs. Bethun
appeared to be greatly overcome an
would have fallen II her brother-i in Law
the proprietor OF the Hotel Res, New Yor
City, had not caught and supported he
The body was robed in black 5ati
shroud, and reclined in handsome aoli
walnut polished ossEe., with oxydize
silver handles and trimmings and line
with white satin.
The father and brOther-in-law OF Il
deceased departed, with the remains
their possession, on the p. m. train II
Warrentown. A moderately large sizt
crowd witnessed the departure.
Coroner Smith received from both Mr.
Bethune and Lawyer Hildreth WRITE
demands for the body.
Shortly after the departure OF the ira
which bore the remains of her husba'
to Wsrrenton Tuesday afternoon, MI
Bethuns rushed from the gentlemen
waiting room at the P, W. & b. dept
and, hating b1tween the railroad track
loudly bewailed her loss Re enteri
the waiting room she paced excitedly
and fro wriuging her hands and moa
ing, but very little heed was paid to
actions by the waiting passengers.
Subsequently, accompanied by y
Lerohe, her counsel, she went to the Off
OF the register of wills to procure lettt
of administration. At first Mr.. Biggs
INJURED, but the woman wept and
lawyer stormed, aud fnally, yielding
the woman's tears and entreaties,
granted the letters.
Coroner Smith was next visited at
home and demand for the effects left
his possession WAS made. The lat
refused, however, having been inform