Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-11
SHE WAS BRIBED TO MARRY.
Mrs. Wilson wants the $4,000 Tor
which she Agreed 90 Wed.

] W uhJD, dOul lulhiThlDI Ol inc tStfNc "
Jacob Wilson, was begun before Judg'
Andrews in the Supreme Court yester
day. rhe plaintiff sues for s15, 900 AM
interest, which she alleges has not BEEF
paid 10 her according to her contrac
with Jacob Wilson for becoming HI
daughter in-law.
The plaintiffs maiden name was Mar,
Agnes Keane. She was born AM
brought M in Uniontown, n. j., wher'
Jacob Wilson. Jr., the son of the mar
whose estate is now in litigation, wa
her playmate. Mary grew up 4
be pretty girl, and when sixteel
years old moved to this city anc
obtained employment in Arnold, Consta
/ bic * Cos dry goods store. Younl
Jacob then blossOmed ont into a full
fedgel suitor for the young lady's hanC
and heart. He, however, refused t,
tread the straight and narrow path, anC
began to develop unsteady habits. Hi
father tried TO reform him, but was no
very successful. The only one who hao
any influence over him was Miss Keane
Hcpromlscd her very often, so the plain
tif AYERS, that he would reform, anC
begged her TO marry him. She refused
On January %. 1888, young Wilson
came over from Uniontown to this citl
and renewed his suit. lie drove to Mis-
Keanes house and made a pathetic ap
peal to her. she again refused, and h'
rushed from her presence. sprang int
the carriage. put pistol TO his head and
fired. he bullet made an ugly wound
and Wilson lay in a hospital for severa
wee6s. Finally he got well.
The night of the shooting Jacob Will
son, ST., begged Miss Keane to marry
his son. Day after day the father
pleaded the sons cause. March %,
1888. so the plaintiff says, he drew up a
contract by which Miss Keane was to re-
ceiye a house and lot in Cniontown,
$4,000 in money, and 500 a month
when she became Mrs. Wilson, Jr Two
days later young Jacob left the hospital
and led Miss keane to the altar.
Mr.. Wilson, Sr, who was worth a
quarter of million dollars made in the
wholesale liquor business, provided the
young couple with a comfortable home
in UniontOwn. At that time the bride
thought her iather-in-law was a widOwer.
Later she found out that he was not,
much TO her regret. Everything was as
pleasant rs pleasant could be, however,
for time. The bride gave her contract
and deeds to her fathcr-in-law and told
him TO lock them up in his safe.
May %, 1885, Jacob Wilson, Sr., died,
Before the funeral had taken place Mr.
and Mrs. Wilson, Jr., were surprised by
the unexpected appearance of a widow
and two children. She WAS no other
than Ella Shea, formerly servant in the
family. She proved her marriage to the
old man, and the surrogate appointed
her administrators of the estate.
The plaintiff was first on the witness
stand yesterday. She reiterated the
foregoing particulars as embodied in her
complaint. Among other things she was
asked Glow old were you when you
were married 2"
81 don't remember. ! don't think
that is important is it?" and the fair
plaintiff flashed an angry glance at the
opposing counsel.
" We'll. how old are Won now ?"
"Do / have to tell that?" she
pleaded.
Tie Court thought she did. The wit
ness said she was between twenty-nlne
and thirty years old.
The husband. Jacob Wilson, was the
next witness. He said that about week
after ms father died ne went to the de-
ceased office in South street to meet his
Uncle Joseph and examine the papers in
the safe. When he arrived he found
hIs uncle dthc administrative removing
papers from the safe. He couldn't get
near it. They told him they could find
no contract or agreement about his
wife. lie has never been able to find it.
Witness told how Uncle Joseph had since
asserted his right to the Uniontown
property. which he claimed his brother
had sold him. His (witness's) wife then
began "a suit in lliddleseX county, y. j.
There was a stubborn fight, as the pro-
perty is worth now about $50, 600. Ii
was finally awarded to the young matron.
L ne idldutt vi liit trthtI ID III ltilo Nit1,
and that is why they came here to fight
for the $1,000.
Conrad treitag, an artist who lived a
long time with the keanes, testified that
the day before the marriage old Jacob
Wilson and Miss keane visited his studio
e. see n Crayon portrait of the young
lady. While there Mr.. Wilson read, in
presence Of witness, the contract as
stated. lie then asked the Young lady
TO read it aloud, which she did and then
gave il back to Mr.. Wilson with the re-
quest that ne lock 1t mp. After the read
ing the old man gave Miss heane 500
g for starter, as he said.
Joseph Wilson, the uncle. testified
that when he examined the papers in the
safe he found no contract. 1t was an
safe 10 which no one had
KEYS but his brother and himself.
Mahlon Sopher, a constable of New
said that at one time he had
10 serve an execution on Mr.. Wilson, Sr.
At that time Mr.. Wilson, ST., told him
be had given the Uniontown property to
MS daughter-in-law and was going to
give her SO, 900.
The case will be continued to-day.
When this suit is disposed Of Jacob VIII
son proposes to dispute the claim Of the
eldest OF the widows children to q share
If his fathers estate on the ground that
he child was born before bis fathers
marriage.