New-York tribune., 1886-02-21
ROSS r. WINANS'S STORY
HOW HE MET THE WOMAN WHO SUES HIM.
THEIR RELATIONS ABROAD AND HERE-wHY HE
GAVE HER A RING.


THEIR RELATIONS ABROAD AND HERE-wHY HE
GAVE HER A RING.
There was q hearing Yesterday before Referee
stephen p. Nash in the suit OF Mis- Alice O'Keefo
(Wuaus) against Ross r. Winans 81 Baltimore by which
the plaintih seeks to prove her marriage with Nr.
Wuans and obtain divorce at the same time. Both
plaintiff defendant band III the morning In
Mr. Nssh's Walls ST., office There was an imposing
array OF counsel present in Mr.. Wnans's behalf The
list included Ferdinand c. Latrobe. OF Baltimore, Joseph
II. Choate, l.. c. Lcdyatd and james c. Carter. TX
Judge Curtis and Mr. suLer looked after Mrs. OKeees
interests and her sister MIS- Saaled gay hor the sup
port and encouragement ot her presence. Mt carter
opened for the defence lie said tdat he would not
move TO DISMISS the cascas it would doubtless be waste
of time proceeded at TO put In testimony for
the defence ana called Mr.. Winans To the stand.
Mr. winans's direct examination lasted all day. and
will probably occupy throo sessions more before
its completion He turned his back toward tho plaintiff
during his examination aud neither by look oI word
showed that he aware OF her existence. Ho testi-
fled that lie was born in NewJerscy in June, 1880 lie
afterward went with his father, Thomas Winaus the
millionaire, to Baltimore. where his home has been
since that time although he has at various times lived
in ST. Petersburg London ana Cambridge He was
student at Cambridge, where nc became acquainted
with the plaintiff This Is his account OF his first meet
ing with Mrs OKceic and 1t diners somewhat from the
accounts already published: While III London during an
absence from the university, he staying at the Lang
ham Hotel. The plaintif also there with Mrs.
Hunt, by whom she was emf loyed asa companion.
Young Wlnaus noticed a the table and cast good
many glances in her direction one day as be was pass
ing room the door happened to be open and within
he saw the plantf struggling build mp her fire. which
was evidently giving her much difficulty. With quick
gallantry Mr. WinaUs offered his assistance which was
graciousy accepted. short conversation followed
and the acquaintance was made.
Mrs O'Keefe, when examined testified that one
day when she and Nr. Wlnans were driving
together in Hyde Park. he asked her TO be his
wife. telling her that In his country no
formal marriage ceremony was necessary and that II
man and agreed to I've married they were by yr-
tue OF that agreement tied as firmly and last as
whole regiment OF parsons had blessed the knot Ac-
cOrdng Mrs Okeefes story she accepted ths state
and became from that time forward the wire oI
MIR Winans No reporters were allowed to attond the
hearing yesterday so Just what Mr Wnans mas 10 say
turns must remain matter conjecture until the ref
shall make his report MI Wans counsel sy tlat
denied story Mrs. OKeefes counsel say that lie
Mr. winans in his testimony proceeded to
give the story OF his relations with the plaintiff as has
cethsr at the Grosyonor Hotel In London Bulls
Hotel in Cambridge; how they went together to spa
and were called back TO America by the Illness OH hOas
wGb K0ss so sf m wnsn E S the pana
rlage ring, ana with what intent, II ne dd So MI
lie said tpat at spa did give her plain gold rnG In
tending that she should wear 1t as Wedding ring. IN
not Intended to have any Significance between tho
palntih and himself but only as between them ana inc
other guests In hotel where they were staying Inc
absence OF wedding ring from the plain
tiGs finger had already been remarked
and had already involved Mr. Wnans In some unpleas-
ant circumstances At Cambridge he had been ro-
quosted 10 leave hotel where he staying because
the proprietor had been convinced OF the frcpr0ach
able character relations existing between him ana
tho Young woman who accompanied him. MI. Winans
did not w sh repetition OF this incident and therefore
gave the plaintiff ring for the sake OF appear
Another point on which great stress Is laid by the
Is the fact that register OF the BrevOor
House for May 30 1871. the day on when the couple
arrived at New-YOrk from Liverpool. shows the entry
Ross X. Winans and WIFE, This page OF tho
register was shown 10 Mr. Winans yester-
day He testified that the words a" Ross X
Wnans" were In his handwriting. but that
the words aud wife were addition which he had
not written. From New-York SIR. Wluans went on to
baltimore 10 his father and the plalntin went To
chic tgo wherc his mother then living. They met
again IN New-York and lived together at a boarding
house under an assumed name.