Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-30
NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
One Crime Originates in Another in the
Past.


BALTIMORE, Md, Oct. 27.-The story
started by the arrest in Boston of Mrs
Emma Coolidge fails to show the motive
for her desire to put out of the way the
young wife of Edward l.. Mcllen of this
city. 1t seems that about three years ago
a bright English girl, Mary A. Somerset,
secured employment at the ST. James
hotel, of which one l.. Mellen, father of
Edward L., was proprietor. The young
man formed an attachment for her which
resulted in the birth of an Legitimate
child, and the young people secretly
lived together as man and wife
Last spring they quarrelled and were not
reconciled until April when Miss Somer-
set called at st. James and told her story
to the mother of her seducer who sent
for II priest and insisted upon the two be-
ing married. Shortly after the st. James
hotel was closed for the summer and
at Cape May, where the whole family
stayed until the end of August. About
fifteen days ago Mr.. and Mrs. y. l.. Mcllen
went to Cambridge, Mass, aud have not
returned. They We're last heard of at the
st. George hotel Philadelphia.
Detectives are understood to be in BOs-
ton for the purpose of ar estinG Mr.. Mel
len, but they refuse to be interviewed.
one of them said he knew the story sound
ed improbable, but that the real motive
for the desired murder was known only to
himself and would not be divulged.
Mrs. Cooldge's Conspiracy Turns Out to
BE Il matchmaking scheme.
BosToN, Oct. 2S.-The Boston Herald
says to-day's Developments seem to
throw new light on the alleged statements
q lat lo1t
more parties which Just now is the reign
ing sensation in these two cities. new
phase of the matter and one which seems
to be corroborated by facts, is that the
whole thing was Il gigantic scheme to
black-mail Il sorrow-stricken family. IN
IA nutshell the story as it now stands, 50
it is said is that Mrs. Coolidge knowing
of the skeleton in the closet conspired
with James DOnahue, alias John Bull, to
get out of Mr. Mellcn what they could,
and share alike. Then it is related that
BOX Cobb got wind of the affair and
to curry favor with the police informed
them of the plot. But "John Bull'' sus-
pected Cobb, and to save himself went
boldly TO the police headquarters
and told the whole story of the conspiracy.
The came the meeting between Bull
and Mrs. Coolidge, at which detectives
were present but unseen, and during
which Mrs Coolidge talked freely, sup
posing "John Bull was still acting
! squarely with her. The more she talked
the deeper of course she got into the mire,
and the police have strong evidence on
which to base complaint of at
tempting to obtain money by eXtortion
The statement that $4,000 had beer
received by Donahue from Mr.
Mellen is pronounced untrue, al
though it is said there is proof of it,
payment, John b. Hebron, Mrs. Cool
idge's counsel, who visited her in Jail to
day, is reported as saying, Mrs. Cool
idge is in dangerous state of mind. She
appears very much worn by the events o.
the past few days, which have complete
ly overpowered her There is not shadow
of doubt in my mind that she is derang
ed"
In regard to n telegram which Mrs
Coolidge had prepared to send to Balti
more Mr.. Hebron said ; THE eXplana
tion OF that cannot be given, 1t is of sucl
il simple nature, that, when it il
announced. the reasons for so doing
will be easily seen. The case is just this
Mrs. Coolidge has been fearfully victim
lied by the statements made about her IL
the papers. She receives public condem
nation now, but in the course of time sh'
will be known, ! trust, rs an honorable
woman, as she undoubtedly is, 1t is
nevertheless, for the public good that it cal
be said that in very few days the entir
mystery and its attending causes will b.
clearly shown