The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-05-09
ROSS WINAN'S DEFENSE.
The Case of the Alleged Wife Against the
Baltimore Millionaire.

Baltimore Millionaire.
Ross X. Winans, the millionaire de-
PENDANT in the suit brought against him
for divorce in the New York Superior
Court by Alice O'keefe, or Saal!ield, re-
turned from New York to Baltimore re-
Gently with his counsel. They are very
reluctant to speak about the matter, but
his friends alludc to the fact til 1t under
the laws of Maryland no marriage is law.
full, except among Qlakers, which is not
solemnized by an ordained minister, and
no charge for bigamy or divorce i'll be
recognized 10y the courts where the alleg-
wise. This popularity of the MAJ yland
atatutes is very comforting to Mr.. Wi
mans, and for this reason he is not greatly
disturbed as to what may be the result
of the New York suit. The scandal has
caused much discussion in social circles,
and it is generally agreed that if Mr.
Winans will pay the woman a lump of
meuey she will discontinue tine case, but
his friends assert that he will make 10
compromise.
The complainant AYERS that she was
married to Mr.. Winans about May 1,
1871, in New York. she having previously
| lived with him as his wife in London.
She was a governess in the employ of a
family at the Langham Hotel, London,
where lie resided when he came to town
from Cambridge University, where he
was a student. After they came to this
country they registered at the Brevoort
House, New York. as ROSS r. Winans
and wife" on May 80, 1871, and continued
to live together for a few months. She
| gave birth to child, which died. They
separted and he went to Baltimore,
whereupon she married man named
| O'Keels, but ceased to live with him
when she discovered that under the laws
of New York she was the legal wife of
| Winans and that her marrige to O keefe
was void. In 1872 Mr. Winans mari led
Miss Ludlam, Il Baltimore beauty. who
| died within two years. In 1881 he mar
ried ill London Miss Nevi Whistler, his
| cousin, aud niece of the artist James
| Whistler, whose fathers sister was the
second vile %; Thomas Winans, the
father of the de:endent in this case.
The Winans' wealth was earned by
Thomas Winans, who, in connection with
M Of DbiI,J,1,,i,;o I'M h,,
Russian railroads, from which tney still
derive gu immense income, which was
settled on them By the late Gar, Alex
ander ii, in consideration of their reln-
quishmeut OF privileges conferred upon
them by Gar Nicholas. Thomas Winans
left his son Ross and his daue liter Celeste,
| the Ministers, $50, 000,0 00 When Ross
Winaus returned to this country a few
years ago he built on st. Paul street the
| finest residence in Baltimore. He also
| owns THE Crimea, a magnificent coun-
try estate few miles out of Baltimore.
To Celeste Winaus was given "AIexan-
droyski," the mansion built by her father
on Baltimore street, where she makes
her home whenever she is in the city.
Ross Winans has three uncles-Walter
Scott, De Witt Clinton and William r.,
who reside abroad. 1t is the last named
who has been SO confounded with Ross
Winans and who is the owner of the
great hunting estate in Scotland, where
he has been in frequent collision with the
crofters.
There is much curiosity 10 know
whether Alice Saalfield is the same
woman who followed Ross Winans to
Baltimore from England after the death
of his first wife and claimed that he had
promised her marriage while he was
abroad. 1t is said that she then demand
ed so, 900 and accepted $50, 600 to cease
her persecution of him. lle is now nearly
forty years of age, has pale face and
dark eyes, and wears beard in the Rus
sian fashion. His counsel state shat the
first hearing in the case will take place
in New York in about two weeks unless
Alice O'keefe is induced to give it up.