Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-10
A LIFE FULL OF ROMANCE.
What Three Marriages Brought Miss
Meade, Of Vineltnd, v. j.

Meade, Of Vineltnd, v. j.
The pardon of T. J. McAfee alias Ger
aid Moore, by Gov. Hubbard, of Min
nesota, recalls to correspondent OF the
st. Louis Globe DsDtocTat the remarkably
romantic life OF MOore's wife, the Countess
Won Mutzenbach, for marrying whom
Moore WAS convicted OF bigamy. The
Countess ven MutZeubach was the daugh-
ter OF the late Commodore Meade and a
niece Of Gen. Meade, who commanded the
Federal forces at the battle OF Gettys-
burg. When young girl and moving IN
exclusive society she met Charles n,
lands, founder of the CITY OF Vineland,
Nd.
Mr.. Lands was only "a years old, but
was one OF the most prosperous and best
known business M in southern New
Jersey. lie became a sutton for the hand
OF Miss Meade, but was opposed by the
father, VINO said h great aud insur-
mountabe object was his age, but did not
say whether Dir. Lands was 90 old or too
young. Mr.. Lands concluded that this
subterluge was to cover other reasons, but
as MSS Meade was under age she could
not be legally married under the laws OF
New Je sey without her parents consent.
Hiss Meade's older brother was taken
INTO the secret and he and Mr. Lands en-
gagged board and lodging for Commodore
Meade IN the BlOomngdale Lunatic Asy-
lum, where, i'll spite Of the Comnodore's
terrible rage, he WIS confined tor several
months. Miss Meade was lett without
any legal guardian, and in company with
her older brother, 10 represent the good
will of the family, she went
with Mr. lands before min
istCr and they were pronounced hus-
5and aud wife. Ia few months the
Commodore was released from the asylum.
Under the statutes the marriage could
have been pronounced null and void, ana
The minister fined $500. if the old Commo-
dore could prove that the object OF his
confinement was to get him out OF the
way for the wedding. but Mr.. Lands
headed him of by having bill passed by
both houses OF the Legislature entitled,
"A bill to legalze the marriage OF Charles
h. Lands and Elvira Meade"
New troubles arose for Mr.. Lands. He
was attacked by country editor named
Uriah Carutn, who had some falling out
with him. Mrs. Lands was seized with
hysterlcal fits about ths time, and Caruth
made allusiOnS to her condition in way
that aroused Mr.. Landis' anger. and seek
iRg out the editor he shot him in the head.
In spite OF the assertions of the doctors
that Caruth would die the editor began TO
get well, and was arranging t. settle with
Mr.. Lands for money consideration in
stead of prosecuting him when Caruth
suddenly had a relapse in New York city
and died.
Mr.. Lands was admitted to $50, 900 bail,
and as public opinion was with him he
was acquitted OF the charge OF murder.
Whlle Mr.. Lands was in Jail enemies at
tempted to have him removed from the
postmastership of Nneland, which ne had
held for several years. When the com
mittee that went to Washington called
upon Gen. Grant he asked them to accom-
pany MIN to the Auditors room of the
Post Office Department. Here the Gen.
eral requested the Auditor to look up the
accounts Of the postmaster at Vineldnd,
n. j. The Auditor did az he was hidden,
and IN a few moments announced that his
accounts were square ard cOrrectin every
particular.
But" said the committee, che is in
jail, charged with murder"
Il undersgNd the case" said the Gen
eral, with a9merry in his eye.
The only charge against him is that
of shooting an editor, and | do not con-
slider the charge sufficient TO justify me in
making any change. Good day, gentle
men," and lands remained postmaster
for two years longer, when he resigned Of
his own accord.
<
Mr.. and Mrs. Lands and they were di-
vOrced AID she went abroad. In the city
OF Nice she met Count Won Mutzenbach
and again became q bride. soon Count
Won Mutzenbach died. His death was
beyond doubt due TO natural causes. and
was a matter Of sincere sorrow and afl c.
tion to the beresyed widow. A very re-
markabie TACT with this Count, and very
rare thing among "Couuts" who marry
American women, WAS that Dc actually
possessed some prOpe y, and his widow
was reported to have had a legacy of
$4,000 year left her, to be paid as
long as she should remain a widow
AtIer her husbands death she returned
to America, aud on the steamer she met
and became acquainted WIKI McAtee. 1t
seems 10 have been case oi love at first
sight. But there was an obstacle in the
way Of their marrying. McAtee already
having a wife, whom he had Just left ia
Ireland, and w1Om he had promised to
send for in a very short time. This vile
was in Ireland and the loving pair were in
America. II was decided to ignore the
Irish wite's existence, az well as her mar
tai rights, ami the lovers proceeded to
make the widow of the Count second
Mrs. McAtee.
Scarcely had they married Shen they
accidentally met the brother of Mrs. Nc
Alec No. / on the streets ~ New York.
and though they fled to st Paul they
could not escape, and conviction for big
amy followed. McAtee was engaged in
business under the name of Gerald Moore.
His Countess wife was waiting for him
when he was released.