The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-02-10
THE 1NGERsoLL-wILLIs SUIT.

| The 1NGERSOLL-WlLL SUlGs
Miss Ingorsoll's Statement of Lawyer VIII
IlS' Treatment of Her.
Special Dtspateh 10 he EHteG!iOeseI.
WASHINGTON, Pa, Feb. 9.-At No. 6s
West Beaux street stands the large brick
mansion Of Col. Josiah InGersoll. Col. In.
gersoll, Is the father OF Miss Tllie Inger.
soil, who has suddenly become cele.
brated as figuring in sensational suit
against Richard Stuart Willis, Of $40
Adelphi street, Brooklyn. The INTKLII.
GKScER correspondent visited the house
this evening and was ushered into the
back parlor. The room was large but
cozy, It's massive furniture and heavy
drspings giving decided air OF luxury
and comfort. After few minutes hiss
Tillie appeared. She is Handsome bru-
nette, with an unusually intelligent coun-
tenance.
While the family resided in Wheeling,
Miss Tillio attended the Wheeling Female
Seminary, Of which che 10 graduate. On
her mothers eide ahe is descendant OF
one OF the old Quake: families Of New
York and Brooklyn.
The Ingersolls are exceedingly we'll
connected in New York, which is the
birthplace OF Miss Tillie and her sisters.
A sister OF their mother is the wife Of Mr..
Cyrus W. Field. It was some time before
Miss Tillie could be induced to talk on the
subject Of the csEe in which she is the
plaintiff. She said:
MISS TILLY's STORY.
~ have known Mr.. Willis from my
childhood. BE is nephew Of N. P. Willis,
the poet, and Of Dr.. Eugene Crowell. He
is q lawyer OF great ability and aStuteness,
and also contributor TO several leading
publications, among others the Brooklyn
Eagle"
Miss Lilly denies that any OF his letters
to her contain poetical illusions, but
says that he frequently sent her copies OF
his productions. At one time Mr.. Willis
was candidate for Congress in Mssaa'
chusetta districs, but was not elected. For
aome time Mr.. Willis has ben leading the
fast high lie OF New York's upper.tendom,
but Mics Iugersoll does not believe that
his dissipation has; Influenced him In
regard to the iulfillment OF his marriage
contract. At present Villa is a member
Of the New York Bar Club and Of the
Ninth Regiment. In 1884 he spent four
or five weeks in Warrington, and then 1t
was that, the engagement WAS made. From
that time to December, 1885, they were
lovers. Letters circulated between them
continually. His missives were freighted
full and strong with honeyed phrases and
loving epithets. In many OF these Miss
Ingersoll was called "My pledged wile;"
and somo even Camo addressed to Mrs.
Tillie Willin. Ip December, OF 1885,
there came a letter ol extended length
and depth Of feeling. In 1t Willis told
"that he had made up his mind TO give
up the object OF his affections and the idol
OF his heart" He said that he wonld
never marry, but would die single. Thus,
without warning, he suddenly snapped
the bond that had united them. Miss In.
geraoll never answered the letter, but re-
ply was sent by
MISS TITLES SISTER, LILLIE.
To this letter, he again wrote as before.
Since January OF 'S8 Miss Ingersoll has
not writton linc to Willis, bat a score OF
letters have come from him, in several Of
which he proposes friendly visit to her
family. According to Miss Iugersoll, the
only possible cause for his actions Ia jeal-
ousy. That Willis WAS Concaited and
sensitive she avers, and cites several cases
where his over-wrought Imagination led
him to believe that she was not true to
him. On one occasion he became enrsged
because she handed q fan to a gentleman
who was calling; again he vented his
venom because 6he invited another gen.
tleman to teA. He would not even allow
her to stay In the parlors and entertain
any callers during his visit. II was not
the attention OF Miss 1ngersoll to take any
action in regard to the matter, but on the
repeated solicitations Of her friends and
family, she consented.
sHR WAS VERY RELUCTANT
to take the case to court and become her
sslt the victim Of gossips and scandal.
mongers. Hence, Bhe wrote to him offer.
ing him chance TO make an honorable
adjustment and fair compromise. Her
letter and offer were entirely ignored.
She then decided to enter suit against
him, not for $50, 900, but for one-third Of
his Antire possessions. Miss Ingersoll Ia
confident Of success and hopes that 1t will
not be necessary for her to appear In
court at all. She boots at any comparison
Of her case with that Of "BRby Bunting"
and, as Hhe puts 1t, there Is indeed quite a
contrast. She expects to sue as this pledR.
ed wife" and thereby obtain her lawful
share. The case is creating quito q sem
sation here In the circle Of Miss InRer.
soil g acquaintance RndnumerouB friends,
and OF course on account OF the high
standing and political prominence Of Mr..
Willis will attract national attention.