Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-23
A SOCIETY SENSATION.
Gen. c. C. Dodge Sued for 500, 900 70
Destroying a Household.

Gen. c. c. Dodge Sued for 500, 900 for
Destroying a Household.
What promises to be the cause celebre
Of the Common Pleas Court, says New
York special of Sept. 10, is marked 1907 on
the calendar, and will come to trial in a
week or two. From what a reporter has
been able to learn the developments will
be of a most startling character to the
social world, and the case is likely to
attract more attention than any within a
decade, as well on account of the prOmi-
nence Of the defendant as the testimony
to be adduced, and the large amount of
damages asked for by an injured husband,
who is the plaintiff.
1t appears that some 10 years age Joseph
L. Booth, a young gentleman who was
just entering on a prosperous career in
the furniture business, met and was at
tracted 10y the beauty and accomplish
ments of a young lady, the daughter of re-
spectable parents, who was just coming
into ripe wOmanhOOd. At the age Oe 20
Maria W. Simmons did not want for ad-
mirers. but the wOoing of young Booth,
his ardOr and persistent attentions soon
left his competitors at a distance, and in
1870 the wedding took place. For a time
a continuation of their happy honeymoon.
After the birth of a daughter the wife's
affection seemed to wane, and with grief
the devoted husband saw that his wife,
still much sought after by the social world,
preferred the frivOlities and amusements
i'm which be had no heart to the quietness
and happiness of the fireside. Fearing
that his wife was faithIess as well as friv-
Olous, he set a watch on her, which is
said to have resulted in the cOnfirma-
tiOn of his worst suspicious. He
was not, however, prepared
for the revelation that no less a parsonage
than Gen. Charles &. Dodge, son of the
late VIM. f. Dodge, the eminent mer-
chant, was believed to be the invader of
preserved gentleman of cOurtly mien and
bearing. and served with distinction dur
ing the late war. He entered as a Lieu
tenant. and being assigned to the CON-
mand Of dashing Phil. Sheridan, partici-
Dated in all the actions, yicissitudes and
dangers through which that leader led the
troops who were so devoted to him.
Gen. Dodge was IN all the great battles
in and around Richmond, and, being
noted for his skill and courage, his ad-
vancement was rapid, and he left the ser
vice with the eagles of a Major General.
The prestige of his victories made the sol
dier favOTite with the ladies, and Mrs.
Booths matured charms are said to have
vanGuished Sheridan's officer. He met
the lady in company with Miss Sarah Las
ce7les. the actress who supported Mrs.
Iangtry on her recent tour, and immedi-
ateIv laid siege To her heart. He is said
TO have acted as her cavalier at most of
the fashionable watering-places, and at
Atlantic City, Cape May, Long Branch
and COney Island the handsome pair were
spen sampling the ocean breeZes.
The fond husband finally awoke to the
fact that his Wiie's affection for him had
been entirely alienated, and removing 10
snortmants at No. Is East FOTty-secOnd
'trao+ no began suit against Gen. Dodge
in the Court of Common Pleas, and plac-
ad the damages for the destroying Of his
domestic Deace at the comfortable sum OF
Sf00 O0O Mrs. Booth occupies an elegant
Aat NJ No. 40 West Twenty-ninth street,
and with her is her 12-yeaT-old daughter
Bassie. The lady is pronounced Deau-
tv of about 81 years, and Is said 10 nave
history whose romance may be croughI out
on the witness stand. 1t is said that her
marriage with Mr.. Booth was brought
about by intermeddling friends, and that
her hand was given while her heart was
far away.
BE this as 1t may, the testimony is
looked forward TO as sensational in the
extreme. II is said that several ladies
who have lived with Mrs. Booth for the
past few years have been summoned as
witnesses.
One of the witnesses will be little Mary
Glendenning, n child who resides with
her mother in East Forty-secOnd street.
Gen. DOdge's answer to the charges is a
general denial of the allegations, and he
AYERS the object of the suit is to extort
money from him. He chaTacterizes the
whole proceeding as blackmailing
scheme from beginning to end. On exam-
ming the calendar the reporter ascer-
tanned that the attorney for Gen. Dodge
;s ar-.Iudpe George NJ. Curtiss, but that
oanfleman positively declined to give any
information whatever regarding the case.