Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-31
She was Only n MisI-a:irI.
WHY BLAIS BECAME DIVORCED AND WHAT
1T COST HIN.
From the Philadelphia Record


1T COST HIN.
From the Philadelphia Record
John F. MeBlain, the second lieutenant of
cavalry, who was nominated by President
Cleveland for promotion to be first lieutenant,
has met with rejection at the hands of the
United states Senate. MeBIain enlisted from
West Philadelphia into the army fourteen years
ago, and the rejection Of his name by the SEN
etc Is due to Judge kelIy's vigorous fight agai
him and the sympathy of the members of the
Senate for the wife whom McBlain discarded
because he had become elevated socially above
her.
The story of this case Is an interesting one.
When McBlain enlisted a. a private in the
army he left behind him in West Phladelphia
young vile, whose maiden name had been
Sarah Rafferty,, and who was mill girl Me-
Blain was sent out 20 the far west to tight the
INDIANS lie promised his wife 10 return to
her when he had won his commission as he
said he proposed 10 do. In IsSO he had nroved
himself so good a soldier that he was made a
second lieutenant OF cavalry. While he was
a private. he kept up communication with his
vile. writing 70 her when there was occasion
lol correspondence. He strongly, however,
ADVISED her against coming TO the west To Join
him. as the life OF a soldiers wife In camp was
something too harsh 10 be thought OF and
pointed Out tO her how much better of she
was In Philadelphia, where she could select her
own associates, whereas In the csnp She would
De compelled TO iningle with the servants. But
when he received his commission. and couId
have properly sent tor his wife, McBlain put off
the time and kept her constantly I'm suspense
m
oiicer In the army, as far above the milI-girl he
had married and determined 10 get rid OF her
one day he wrote To her that he had ceased to
love her, and that he had decided that she
should remain in Philadelphia while ne would
continue In the west. The next thing Mrs Me-
Blain knew her husband had in some Invsteri
Gus manner, obtained - divorce from her in
the California courts upon the plea of deser-
ton.
Soon after this McBlain ATTEMPTED In no
made Quartermaster, with the rank of can
tain, and appealed to Judge Kelley 10 help him
put was unsuccessful, the judge having found
out the story of his treatment of his wife AS
soon as Judge Kelley heard of his promotion
therefore, he submitted his facts 10 the senate
and the result has been that McBlain will be
compelled to forego the hOnOrs and enoIu-
ments OF the grade OF first Lieutenant and must
take his case To "a court-inartial, which will
the army. 80
AcBiain says that he is not afraid to submit
the matter 70 court-martal. He says that he
came from the nelghborhood of 23d and Cal
lowhiu streets, and married Miss Rafferty, who
Was mlil-giri in that section, in 1872 He
himself worked in a mill and was al one time
n street-car conductor He could NOT make
enough to support himself and wife and enlist
ed as last desperate resort. and finally after
serving In all the grades of a non-comInissioned
ofncer was made a Lieutenant, "a reward OF hard
study and close application. He saws that the
nrst person he sought after his success was his
wife. He found, however that She had not i'm
proved-that she was still the milI-girI She was
when he married her. 81 told her. he saws, .'that
II our new position In life 1t would be essential
10 our happiness tina. she give up mill com
panions and ways of life, and appear as the
wife OF an officer of the United States army
should appear. This she absolutely refused Ia
do. She seemed not to be able to colnprehend
the dinerence between being a working girl and
the lady OF lieutenant's household. then
proposed divorce with alimony, but she would
not consent Instead, she wrote TO NV cantaju
and superior officers about her fanccd wrongs
and our domestic affairs generally This was
the cause OF great mental strain on me- and
finally, after suffering for two years. deter
mined to apply for an absolute divorce sub
mitted my case 10 the courts In San Francisco
and divorce was granted ME in the usual
legal way"
Mrs. McBlain is still living in west Philadel
phia