Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-11-05
THE Bosrov ooNsrralaor oAsn


Private Detecffvc'e Explanation
Young HEeiIon in tho City.
A special from Boston Thursday says;
"rhe interest in the alleged conspiracy
case, in which Mrs. Anna Amelia Cool
idge, John Bull and Boss Cobb of this
city have figured prominently, continues
undated. The detectives Of this city
who have been working on the case In
Baltimore returned home this morning.
They refused TO state what information
they cleaned in that city, or the cause OF
their sudden return home. II is, how
ever, understood that they returned to
have Mellen, the father.in-law of the
would-be victim, indicted, and special
meeting of the grand jury is to be held to-
morrow for that purpose. Mellen is said TO
be now at the Oolonnade Hotel in Phila-
delphia, and the detectives after having
him indicted and rcquisition papers OBJ
tanned will go TO that city and arrest him.
II is said that ono check for $102 was re-
ceived and cashed by the conspirators
from Mellen, but the signature on this
cheek is said not TO bear the name of
Mellcn. Neither does IL compare with
his handwriting. That the 81 200 was
receipted for by Mr.. Donahue is conceded
but il is now claimed that that gentleman
did not keep the whole Of il himself, but
q good part of il found its way to a
quarter which, when announced, will
startle the community.
"a private detective in this city states
the parties concerned in the alleged con-
spirncy wanted him to take hand in the
case. He says the whole affair is the
work of professional gang of black
mailers. Some time ago John Donahue,
alias, Bull, made the acquaintance of
Mrs. Coolidge through lady living on
Ashburton place, who is plaintiff in a
breach of promise case pending against a
millionaire miser. The gang Of alleged
blackmailers, the private detective states,
made $500 about two months ago by
trumping up evidence in divorce suit
at Worcester. Donahue became acquainted
with Mrs. Coolidge and learned of the
trouble in the Mellen family. The gang
thought they saw an opportunity to make
good sum and they at once communicated
with Mellen senior and offered to procure
evidence by which his son could get a
divorce from his wife. One of the gang
went to Baltimore and had an interview
with Mellen.
"This scheme was to get the young
wife to come to Boston, and on her
arrival take her to disreputable house.
They would then swear to her guilt. For
this work they wanted Mellen to pay
81 900, but they expected before the
scheme was ended to divide 5000 to
| $4,000. Mellen, so the detectives say
fell into their trap and put up the IL 900
for them. After that the gang wanted
| Mellen to increase the sum, which he re
fused to do Tho gang then told Mellen
that unless he acceded to their request
they would tell the police he wanted them
to kill his sons wife. Mellen supposed
they were only threatening him to gel
more money and started for home. The
city detectives, however, do not believe
TINT the case is n matchmaking scheme.
YOUNG ArELLEN IN WILMINGTON.
Additional local interest is given til,
Boston mystery by the appearance o
Edward L. Mellen, the husband of thu
young woman whom it in alleged il wa
conspired to remove. The young maj
reached this city shortly before 4 o'clocl
Thursday afternoon and was driver
directly to the Clayton House. He hur
ried to the hotel Office and inquire,
for MIR. and Mrs. l.. +. Barton. HI
seemed greatly agitated and nervous
and when told that Mr.. Barton and wifi
had gone away, he pnthcticnlly pleaded
"Plense do not deceive mo. 1 came her
to SEQ MIR. Barton he is my fnthcr, an,
it's important should see him ut once.
He seemed almost overcome when he wa
assured that Mr.. Barton had departed
and inquired into all their doings Will
here, expressing great anxiety coneernin
his mothers Frustrated nervous condi
ton. He talked unreservedly while q
the hotel, and frankly admitted that tn
name al. L. Barton and wife" on til
: hotel register was written by his father
and was assumed to temporarily COZ
ceal their identity in order thu
: they might be undisturbed while here an
! secure a nights rest. He hoped hi
fathers motive in registering an assume
Q name would not be misunderstood, MS
was done simply for the sake OF Mrt
Mellen, who is highly nervous woma
and desired to avoid all interviews an
I shrunk from the public notoriety whic
l has been thrust upon her, by the cas-
a Young Mellen stated that his father WI
e also laboring under great excitement an
anxiety, and was quitsa different man fc
1 the past few days. y
Young Melleuf emphatically states Thu
the entire aRNir is a case of blackmail ,au
that it would all be cleared up an
straighteAed ont in few days. Both
apa. young Mrs. Mellen have mac
rafiidavits to the effect that Mrs. Coolidge
Q statements are entirely false, and wei
used without the slightest foundation
!, truth merely to accomplish her end
Mellen is young man of medium high
8 sandy hair and rather prepossessing j
o appearance. He boarded the train ,
!. 400 with the expressed purpose of return
g ing to Baltimore.