New-York tribune., 1885-01-19
ASSERTING THArSHE is d WIFE
ATTEMPTING TO PROVE A MARRIAGE CONTRACT
WITH WEALTHY BACHELOR.
lnY TELEGRAPH TO TILE TRBrNE.l


WITH WEALTHY BACHELOR.
lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBusE.l
UTICA, Jan. 1S.-FOr some time gOssips have
been whispering the story Of young woman. Julia A.
Godfrey who claims be the wife Of Richard $. Rey
nods wealthy retired bachelor Of ortyve, in whose
employ she formerly The story became public
through motion before Judge McrwIn to
set aside confession made by the
woman last September that she had
no right to sign herself Mrs. Reynolds and her CON
sent to the entrance OF judgment to that effect Richard
s. Reynolds was formerly senior partner
in the firm OF the Reynolds Brothers.
shoe manufacturers He is worth about
100000 On attempting to sell real estate he
was told that his wfe's signature to the deeds was
necessary. He denied having wife, but learned that
Miss Godfrey claimed that relationship and SO desg
mated In the city directory As she refused to desist
he applied to tho Supreme Court for an order
restraining her from using his name, and a decree
denying that she was ever his WIFE, Her
set forth that she and Reynolds mar
ricd IN 1881 by written agreement In the IllSharon
manner and that she had his authority to use his name
Before the time for trial she signed confession
that the allegations in the Reynolds complaint true
and stipulation that she consented to the entrance Of
the order he desired consideration OF his engagement
not to prosecute her for perjury is this confession
and consent which sought to set aside the
ground that her signature obtained by threats and
unknown To her counsel The afndaylt OF Miss Godfrey
sets forth that while she employed in tho Reynolds
factory. X. s. Rcynod paid her attentions
which led her to believe he wished to marry her. that
he did marry her by written agreement
mutually signed and that the fact kept secret at his
pending the OF certain business mat
ters that she visited him In Chicago. arriving hers on
Noyember %. 1881. aud remained with Reynolds as his
wfent the Atlantic Hotel three days; that he there
burned their marriage contract and compelled her to
to Utica and has since refused TO acknowledge her
Is his wife.
She alleges that In January. 1884. she was called by
the assistant rector OF Grace Church 10 the yestryrOon
where she Introduced TO Mr.. White, of Chicago "A
about thirty Old who tired 10 lhuuce her
10 sign various papers ncrlmlaiing her with yaAOus
men This she refused 10 do In conclusion, she says
the signed the confession of september 1881 under
ducss aud In consideration OF 5000 and also the follow
Inc paper:
hereby acknowledge that the paper which destroyed
the hotel In Chicago maria 20 contract between
myself and Julia A. Godfrey and that we lived together
tnere husband and wiie also that the confession
which composed and wrote over her name was raise
D& H. D. hEfNolDs'
Mr. Reynolds in his answer pronounces the foregoing
paper "a forgery, with other papers submitted ny
u Intin. ao cd to have been signed ny hlm. lie AT
ibute, her courae 10 backna and denies every mate
,fil allegation. lie says that she went to chcn-o III
1881 without bis procurement and mat In consideration
of fren Hes paid uer hotel expenses hut d
not remain with He Insisted that she should return
gave him an entirely different account Of te vestryroon
Interview and submits ahdaylts OF Witnesses that sue
signed the confession OF September Freely and FOnn-
rily Owing tO the abss nee of Mr.. Whitn ana other
material witnesses frOm the state the Cpurt grant "a
further time intuating by the remark that tue ony
nnr,iion before him was whether the confession aud
stipulation OF September. 1851. were signed uHdei
durc.S