The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23
3LlGHTEO AFFECTIONS.
"Reminiscences OF Some Famous Breach Of
Promise Cases

"reminiscences OF Some Famous Breach-of-
Promise Gases
It was in 1874 that the famous case
of Hammond VS.. Dean occupied a
Brooklyn court for nearly Il week and
filled columns of the journals. Miss
Jeannette Hammond was the plaintiff,
and remarkable pretty woman of
nineteen years. She lived ir, Sing Sing,
but frequently visited her aunt, Il Mrs.
Noe, a siSter-in-law of the merchant.
Noe, whose murder by burglar made
dep sensation a dozen years ago.
Mrs. Noe lived in Brooklyn, but en-
couraged her niece to enjoy metrcpol-
itan sights and scenes. Just how she
became acquainted with Dean is mat
er of no Importance now. He had a
SadGiery and harness business on
Third avenue, near Twenty-Tbird
street. and being bachelor of middle
age ought to have known better than
get entangled with the bright young
country miss. That he did not know
better was put in evidence at the trial
in Sundry tender missives. in which his
clumsy attempts To avoid committing
himselfwere constructive proofs of his
having promised to marry Miss Ham,
mOnd. The letters were numerous. and
plenty of female friends were able to
testify to scenes, facts and declarations
which placed the defendant in such
lihgt that the jury returned verdict for
$4,000, besides large allowances for
court and counsel fees. Popular inter-
est was maintained after the suit by
Deans efforts to have the verdict set
aside. The verdict was affirmed. how
ever. and Deans father paid the award
in full.
The next suit was that of Nav
Chamberlain against the well-known
eccentric. John Butte Holmes. Holmes
had Il weakness for the sex which would
have rendered him liable to half a
dozen suits of like character. bat Miss
Chamberlain was the pioneer. She had
met Holmes on business relating TO
some real estate. and the then middle
aged speculatOr became infatuated with
her on sight. He grew eloquent about
his wealth and relationship to English
mobility, and by way of displaying his
generosity took the young woman up
tn Division street and presented her
with a complete outfit of suit. cloak
and bonnet. Appointment was made
for another meeting next day, and
Holmes was much chagrined when he
found Miss Chamberlain mother also
ut the trysting place, He did not tell
them that he had already three or four
wives scattered around in the city and
suburbs. but that fact probably over
came his repugnance to committing
himself to another. for he promptly
made formal promise of marriage to
Miss Chamberlain and got the mothers
blessing on the spot. Events that fol-
lowed gave Miss Chamberlain 4 claim
for damages on other grounds. if no;
for breach of promise. and when the
long trial was finished the jury awarded
her $500 by way of consolation.
Holmes, anticipating the verdict, had
put his real estate out of reach, and
for while evaded the warrant against
his person. He was captured, how
ever, and after brief residence in Lud-
low Street Jail settled his case for ST.
O00. paid to Dennis A. Speilisey, Miss
Chamberlain S counsel. Holmes died
few months ago, and several alleged
widows are now negotiating over the
remnants OF his property. ~ T.
Grttphic.