The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-15
A SCANDAL IN HIGH LIFE.
A Rich BaltimOrean Asks a Divorce Aft
er Four Months of Married Life.
A Story Gathered from Various Sources in
Three Cities, and Involving an Ex-
Congressman and a Lovely Widow

A1-Gf
Baltimore correspondent states that members of
the most exclusive social circles in that city have
been thrown into a ferment Of excitement, with
I'm the past few days, by the details of a scandal
Involving the peace and good name of one of the
best families in Maryland. The woman in the
case is Mrs. Mary Alice Godfrey, whose connec-
btion with ex- congressman Acklen, of Louisiana,
was the theme of so much gossip in the national
capital a few years ago. and which, it is said,
was the ultimate cause of that gentleman's re-
tirement from public life. The other party to
the scandal is Mr.. Eugene Belt, a wholesale
liquor dealer, a habitue of the most aristocratic
clubs of this city, whose family holds high rank
IN the most exclusive society, and whose mem
bers have been startled from their accustomed
dignifed repose by the entry of the dashing
widow.
Mr. Belt is a man about sixty years of age,
and resides with two maiden sisters in a palatial
residence, No. 178 North Charles street, the
most fashionable quarter in the city. He is
widely known in the highest ranks Of society
throughout the South and West, and in New
York and Philadelphia His polished manners,
genial personal qualities, and lavish hospitality
rendered him a favorite wherever he went.
Though very wealthy, Mr.. Belt had never mar
ried, and was very devoted to his sisters, who
always dispensed the honors of his house.
Last summer, while making his usual tour of
the northern watering places, he stopped for
some time at Mt. Desert. There he met Mrs.
Godfrey, a strikingly handsome blonde of about
thirty years of age, whose lovely person and
charming manners made a deep impression.
Altar q hrinf aouuaiptcnoa Mr. Raft for-
mally proposed for her hand and was ac-
eepted. Leaving Mt. Desert, Mr.. Belt and
airs. Godfrey visited other fashionable summer
resorts, Mr.. Belt manifesting the utmost devo-
ton TO his fair fiancee, and lavishing upon her
many rich and rare jewels as testimonials of his
aEection. Thus the summer was whiled away,
he never dreaming that there was aught in the
past life of the lady to cause him the least I'm
~easiness. They were married on Oct. Is. last, at
Morristown, N. j.
The invitations to the wedding were the first
intimation that Mr.. Belts friends in Baltimore
had that he contemplated matrimony, although
one or two friends knew of his attentions to the
lady. Only a few of them knew anything of
Mrs. Godfreys antecedents, and these, thinking
that Mr.. Belt must also have been informed on
the subject, did not deem it proper to mention it
to him. The couple spent their honeymoon in
the Northern cities, and it was then arranged
that they come to Baltimore, pass the gay season
here, and then go South for the rest Of the win
ter.
On the evening of Nov. 5 Mrs. Godfrey, being
fully installed in her new home, on North
Charles street. held a reception, which was
attended by all the elite of the city, and was one
of the handsomest Entertainments ever given
here. Over 1900 invitations had been issued,
and among the throng of fashionables who at
tended, nearly all, except the few who knew of
the story of the beautiful hostess, went away
charmed with her beauty and fascinating man
ner. Matters at the Belt home went on
smoothly for a while, and though it was whis-
pered~aa~ r3~UDfR the embrasures of the
Maryland Club windows that the gay,beauty was
receiving more devoted attentions from one or
two young married men than was becoming in
her, no breath of the scandal reached her new
lords ears, and all was peace and happiness in
the home. Mrs. Godfrey's two children, one a
girl twelve years of age, and the other a boy of
nine, had been placed at school by Mr.. Belt,
whose sisters received the bride with true sis
terly affection.
After a few weeks of tranquility, Mrs. Belt
began TO pour into her husbands ears tales about
his sisters, alleging that they only lived with
him for mercenary motives, hoping to inherit
his large fortune. He demonstrated with her
for such talk, and laughed at her ideas as non
sense. He was, however, very much annoyed
when a continuance of this course of action on
her part began to breed dissension in the family.
He assured her that she need have no fears but
he would provide for her amply.
In the meantime her every wish, however
capricious, was gratifed by her fond husband,
and her dresses, jewels and eauipages were the
talk of society. She continued to give the most
lavish entertainments, and gathered around her
the gayest and most brilliant assemblages. Her
beautiful person, delightful manners and admira-
BILE tact won for her at once a leading position
among social notables.
A few of.the most intimate friends of the fam
lily had. however. heard of the troubles caused
by Mrs. Belts stories to her husband about his
sisters, and resolved to inform him who she had
been. One of them, accordingly, sent him a
copy of q newspaper containing an account of the
Acklen scandal. Mr.. Belt was, of course, great
1y shocked, but he still refused to believe that
his wife had been guilty of any wrong, and his
chilly reception of the piece of information 81
fenced his friend.
A few weeks ago, in accordance with their pre-
arranged programme, Mr.. and Mrs. Belt went
to New Orleans to spend a portion of the winter.
There Mr.. Belts friends received them warmly,
and they were entertained at all the best houses
of the Crescent City. Matters continued thus for
some weeks, when, it is said, Acklen. the gay
and handsome excongressman, made his appear
ance on the scene. Remembering the warning
he. had received. Mr.. Belt was somewhat an
noyed; but his faith in his wife could not permit
him to suspect her, and they remained in the
city.
But the deuouementc came very soon. What was
the Immediate cause no one here has yet learned,
but Mr.. Belt, it is stated, gave his fair spouse
sufficient money to pay all her expenses at New
Orleans, and left Immediately for Baltimore
alone. Arriving here, he went at once to Mr..
Charles Marshall, a leading lawyer, and in
tructed him to begin immediate proceedings for a
divorce. Mrs. Belt went to the home of her sis
ter, the wife of ex Congressman Willis, of New
York. She has written several times to Mr..
Belt, protesting her faithfulness, and telling him
that the world is filled with deceit and :olly, and
begging him not to believe the calumnies against
her. Mrs. Belt and her brother-in-law, Con-
gresham Willis, arrived here a few days ago,
and are now stopping at the St James Hotel.
Mr.. Willis has had several intervies with Mr..
Belt at his home, with a view of arranging the
troubles but as yet no definite understanding
has been reached. The outcome of the affair is
awaited here with q great deal of interest, as,
should MIR. Belt maintain his determination to be
divorced, 1T is believed that Mrs. Belt will make
an effort to secure q good-sized slice of his fort
une.
Mrs. Belt is the daughter of Mrs. Berry, of
Washington. ID. c., and the widow of Mr.. God
frey. who was consul general of the United
States at Mexico during President Pierce's ad-