The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-05-02
MRS. BELT SUES FOR DIVORCE.
Case Which Promises to be Interesting in
fashioAa Ie( Circles

Case Which Promises to be Interesting in
Fashionable Circles
Mrs. Mary Alice Belt, by her attorney,
E. Otis Huxley, this week filed bill
for divorce mehS1 ct MOr0 from her
husband, Mr.. Eugene Newton Belt, of
17S North Charles street Mr.. Belt is a
member OF the firm of Calm, Belt & Co.,
wholesale liquor dealers on Lombard
street, near Gay. The grounds for divorce
are cruelty and abandonment. Mr.. Belts
attorneys, Messrs. Marshall and Hall,
say that the answer to be filed will be in
the shape of cross bill, asking for an
absolute divorce on the grounds of alleg-
ed unchastity on the part of Mrs. Belt
prior to her marriage.
The complainant was formerly Mrs.
May Alice Godfrey. She figured promi-
nently in Washington society, and in
1880 was a close personal friend of Con-
gresham Acklin, of Louisiana. Mr..
Belt, who is many years her senior, met
her last summer at Mt. Desert He was
then bachelor, and no one ever dreamed
that he would marry. He became en-
amored of Mrs. Godfrey, who, although
her features are not beautiful, is very
attractive, being possessed of many &C,
complishments and charming figure.
The first Mr.. Belts friends learned of
the marriage was when they received
cards of invitation for reception at his
residence, on North Charles street, on
November last and announcing his
marriage on the 10Th of the preceding
month at Morristown, n. J. The recep-
ton was a notable social event. and Bal
timore's best society was well represent
ed. The young and fascinating Mrs
Belt was assisted in receiving by Mr..
Belts two sister. Two young men pre-
sent claimed "a previous acquaintance
with Mrs. Belt, although she was un-
known to any other guest. They had
met her when she was Mrs God
rey, i'll Washington, and the hints that
they threw out caused Mrs. Belts ante
cedents for some time to be the subject
of inquiry and gossip. Mr.. Belt was
even sent an anonymous note intimating
that he was unfortunate in his martial
choice.
There was no talk among the society
and club gossips, however, until last
January, when Mr.. Belt took his young
vile to New Orleans with view to Wis
iting the exposition. They were gone
only short time when Mr.. Belt return
ed home alone. A few days or so later
he was followed by his wife, accompanied
by her mother, Mrs. Berry, of New
York. Mrs. Belt was evidently very
much upset. She went to her husbands
residence, but was refused admission.
Then she stopped at the St. James's
Hotel, where she became temporarily de-
ranged with grief. Her mother at once
removed her to an asylum at Morristown,
N. j. She remained there until Sunday
last, when she came out, her mind hav-
ing been completely restored. Her first
step was to employ counsel and file her
bill.
The bill is brief. 1t simply recites the
fact of the marriage; alleges that she al
ways conducted herself toward her hus-
any notice he deserted her in New Or
leans, leaving her without money to pay
her expenses there or her fare back; that
she was compelled to telegraph for her
mother to come and take her home, and
that when she arrived in Baltimore she
supposed that she would continue to live
with her husband, but that he closed the
door on her.
Judge Brown passed an order setting
May for the hearing of the petition Of
Mrs. Belt in the case for almony and
and counsel fees pending litigation.