New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-15
MRS. BELTS DIVORCE SUIT.
HER HUSBANDS STORY IN COURT.
WHEN AND WHERE HE MKT AND WAS BEGU1LED
BY THE YOUTHFUL MRS. GODFREY.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNK1

BALTIMORE, May IA Especial. -Eugene N.
Belt, millionaire liquor importer of this city, to-day
by his solicitors Ex-Governor William Pinkney whyte.
Colonel Charles Marshall and Thomas W. Hall, filed an
answer to the suit for divorce instituted against him
by his wire. Mrs. Mary Alice Belt, formerly Mrs. God
frey, Of Washington. Mr. Belt ntmates that he will
follow the matter up by filing bill against her eskDg
for an absolute divorce Judge Phelps signed order
allowing her $3.50 counsel fee requiring Mr. Belt 10
pay her $25 week pending litigations Mr.. Belt Ia
sixty-four. and Mrs Belt to whom he mar
ried last October Is only twenty eight. He AYERS
that at tho time OF his marriage he
had any reason to suspect her.
He met her for the first time in the OF 1884 at
at seaside where abe living at hotel among
people OF character I'd 9cctablity. She was in
pany with her mother and her mothers husband. Hts
acquaintance resulted in engagement OF marriage.
and the marriage itself followed In a short time after
they left the seaside When he returned Baltimore
with his wife he introduced ner to his family and
friends. He made preparations TO visit New
Orleans with his wife early in tho present year.
Before he left home he anony account
OF scandaous affair that occurred some years ago at
hotel In Washington The day fixed for his departure to
New-Orlesns at hand and having engaged a friend
10 investigate tho matter he with the complainant
their intended journey. After they reached New
Orleans Mr. Belt arms that he informed OF the
suit OF the inquiry he had Instituted in Washington and
learned that his wife the woman concerned in
that affair lis had laid before him evidence showing
that before her marriage with him his wife had led
life OF infamy, and he learned that he had
been made the victim OF abandoned adventures lie
Immediately wrote the complainant letter, OF which
the following is copy;
EEw-ORLEASs. Jan. 30. 1885.
Mrs. BELT: You will hnd Enclosed account ~ The
OF June 49, 1873. have just learned information
w P the scandal s in as ono cseS IN
the newspaper article OF which Enclosed IL copy
Htn Lnnu led nf
with It when r.ceIved tbe mnrcion Ib T1
now learn IN such way not To admit "A doubt
that he person. fhe terrible deco OF winch
have been made the unhappy victim renders the
tinuance Of our marital relations impossible and have
determined 10 put end 10 them speedily the law
will enable 80 to DO leave you now TO return to
my home under no circumstances can you he aghn
admitted TO my house or he rcrogniz d wife You
have paced IN " hands OF my relative Mr. charlrs
W Belt, who wilconvry 1t to sufficient means to
vide sou with suitable ienale attenlant
to accompany you TO your friends. Upon my arrival in
BhtmOre VIII forward To your mother. or to amy one
els all your belongings as soon as gct the proper ad
The day The Of Mr. Belt continues. he did
al N his power e. induce his wife return to her friends
found hut she angriy refused TO accept any assistance
rom HIN. The liquor Importer then left Ncw.orean-
proceedings for divorce
profess could be served on his wife.
from her protesting her innocence a ii declaring her
ability 10 yindcat herself In OF these letters Wa
February Mrs. Belt presented herself his home and
demanded adm sion. which refused. The following
day Mr. Belt surprised hear that his wife had he
come Violently insane NO opportunity afforded 20
nyestigate the truth OF this statement, she
moved 10 an IN syIum at MOrri, Plans. n. j., from
Which Institution the husband received soon
after bill for her board and expense |
three months advance, rate |
so per week On the day this hill received February
10. he informed by Telegraph that the bill
roneOus and that would hc corrected. He received the
corrected hl liking the rate at 40 per week Instead o
go and this he refuse 20 pay.
The concluding part Of ,r Belts answer states that
he had Information ~ the cnndit 81 his wife
except such h. received fron the medical officer of
the ylum and at last he requested Dr. John Van Bib
Der. prominent physician ~ this ety. to examine Into
the state OF her mind. The doctor refused adDssOu
t0 the asylum Tue answer II accompanied BY ac-
count clipped from Baltimore newspaper of disturb
an3e IN Welckcr's Restaurant, IA w ishin <ton |
June q. 1873. when Mrs. Mary Alice |
Godfrey was hnppiny with Congressman
Ackien OF New Orleans In the hours OF conyiviay
cry heard and ned Confederate Gen
eral opened the door ~ the occupied the pair
and found that his presence not needed.