The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-29


Harrisburg Correspondence NJ Y journal.
One of the most romantic divorce cases
known to'the courts Of this common
wealth was heard in Dauphin County
Just ten years ago 1t is actually in prac.
| tica life that is stranger than fiction.
In 1875 lola Il. Oyster was one of the
prettest maidens in Lagrange, Mo. She
was the daughter of wealthy parents,
who were proud of her for her many
charming graccs. AT the age of II years
she was sent TO female college at
Quincy, ILL.,. and there pursued her stud
les with diligence.
One pleasant afternoon in May, while
she was leisurely strolling through the
wooded park which surrounded the col
! lege building, she was accosted by John
| b. Redmond, stranger to her, who in
vited her to walk with him. She re-
| fused to do so and continued her journey
alone.
Several weeks subsequently Miss
Oyster met the same man, and he again
urged her to accompany him in walk
through the town. School was over for
the day and the young lady felt the need
of recreation. and inspired by the sa.
luxurious air, she innoccntly started with
the man down the public highway.
During the walk Redmond proposed
marriage to the young lady, but she en-.
| phatically refused, and when he became
convinced that she was determined not
to consent to marriage with him he
threatened to report her for talking to
men and leaving the school grounds.
A QUIET wEDDING-No CARDS. ..
Miss Oyster was striving for class
honors, and she recognized the import
ance of strict conformity to the rules
of the school. Thus intimidated she
consented to go to Hannibal, Mo-, twenty
miles distant, and go through mar
riage ceremony with man whom she
had previously declared she could not
love.
In less than an hour the couple ar
rived at the house of Redmond's friend
in Hannibal, who was a party to the
scheme.
An alleged justice of the peace ap.
peared on the scene, and, after asking
| the young lady if she knew her COM
panion, to which she simply bowed her
head, he pronounced them man and
wife.
Miss Oyster Immediately and indig-
nantly left the house, and returned to
school few hours later, where she con-
tinued her studies, day after day, until
about one year after, when she graduated
with high honors
She returned 10 her Lagrange Vhome
and entered society there as an accom-
plished young lady. Her experience
with Redmond was thing of the past,
and she seldom thought of it.
One day she met Henry Oerter, a
dashing young Pennsylvania, who was
visiting at Lagrange Both were smltten
at first sight, and their period of court
ship was of short duration.
After their marriage Mr.. and Mrs.
Oerter came to Cumberland County,
Pa, to live. and the young husband, who
had plenty of cash, decided to build a
handsome residence for his pretty wife.
During the time occupied in its cree
ton the young couple engaged quarters
at Harrisburg, and lived there happily
and quietly until one day Mrs. Ocrter,
upon her bed summoning her to room IL,
where gentleman desired to have con
versation with her.
When the husband returned to the
hotel In the evening his wife informed
him of the circumstance. He Indignantly
rushed into room IL and asked its single
occupant if he had the audacity to send
such note to his wife. The mans
reply was that he sent the note. but 1t
was sent to his own wife, and he dis
played marriage certificate in support
I of his claim upon the woman
SOLD HIS WIFE FOR 81 200.
Oerter's passionate attitude was at once
converted into one of supplication. He
| implored the man, whose name was Red
mond, to leave, and not cause his happi.
ness to be destroyed.
Finally, Redmond left the city with
$1,000 of Oerter's cash in his pockets for
having done so.
About two months subsequently Red
mond returned to the hotel and informed
Oerter that he didn't want his money,
but he wanted his wife. Oerter further
implored the man not TO cause him
trouble, as he was living so happily with
his wife.
Redmond then consented TO give a
paper relinquishing his claim upon the
woman and leave the country for good If
he was paid 5000 for doing so. Oerter
cheerfully agreed to this bargain and
paid over the cash and took his paper in
return.
Several weeks after Redmond appeared
on the scene again and demanded more
money. This time, however, Oerter's
attorney was on hand, who informed
Mr.. Redmond that he could keep out of
prison only by quitting the vicinity,
which he was not slow in doing,
Mrs. Oerton In the name of Mrs. Red
mond at once filed petition for divorce
from Redmond, whom she had not seen
from the day of the alleged marriage in
Hannibal until he appeared at the hotel
at Harrisburg.
In her dispositions she alleged that she
ignorantly submitted to the form of a
marriage ceremony, but did not subse-
quently confirm the marriage by any act
of cohabitation or otherwise.
The divorce was granted and Mr., and
Mrs. Oerter were again joined in mar
riage, and now they are living in their
new home in one of the loveliest spots
in the Cumberland valley, and are per-
fectly happy.
Weeks Failures.
The busin ness failures occurring throughout
the country during the last seven days, as re-
ported to r, G. Dun & Co., number for the
United States, 276; Canada, 90, or total of
300, as against a total last week Of 81 and 1903
| tba 10 f,a last E,,r th.