The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-10-31
ENSLAVED BY A WOMAN
George 7. WOolston. the Wealthy Con-
tractor, the Willing Victim.
MS Home and Honor Thrown Away
..mOney Expended with q
Lavish Hand.

Geo. +. Woolston has many acquaint-
ances throughout Washington and Mon
tana. In Missoula be was largely inter
ested in the water works, and some time
ago he was given the franchise for putting
in water works in this city but the fran
chise was rescinded on account Of his
delaying to start on the work. This
delay Is now explained by the New York
Sun which publishes four column story
Of an adventures named Mrs. Wells or
willard, who has secured one million
dollars from Woolston, and has also vic
tImized other rich men. The situation Is
summed up thus. The adventures es-
tranged the rich contractor from his wife
and family, and secured his property. A
secret divorce and marriage had been con-
sidered real, aAd the wife had barely
escaped the assassin's bulles. Then the
wronged woman appeared on the scene
In defense Of her rights. A mass Of
startling evidence came into her possess
sion and the man and his yictinizer sud-
denly left town. The real name Of the
woman In the case is Caroline +. Wells,
who was once and probably still is the
lawful wife Of Emmett Wells, 4 hop COM
mission broker in New York previous TO
1882, and publisher Of Emmett Wells
Hop Circular.
Mrs. Wells, as far as is known, was q
dutiful wife and q good woman. Her
maiden name was Kelly, which she some
times spells Kellie. She was bright, am
bilious, independent and full Of fun, yet
not frivolous, and generous to Q fault,
though shrewd and careful In regard to
money matters. The early death Of her
mother threw an unusual responsibility
on her shoulders, and she cared for two
young sisters as few women could have
done. About fifteen years ago she mar
ried Emmett Wells, who was then pros
porous hop broker, and 80 far as known
she was faithful TO him during the eight
or nine years they lived together, but
their married life was not free from
storms, and in 1882 she left him, going
west with the intention Of engaging
in the cattle business, with sll 900 as
capital. Since then she has been known
by dozen different names. She is now
forty years old, but q dashing woman.
Woolston is forty-three years old, and
man Of great energy and dogged persis-
tency. He constructed the Wisconsin,
Iowa and Nebraska railroad, large sec
ton Of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
and portions Of other lines. His income
has averaged between $50, 900 and t76, 900
year. His contracts are all on q big
scale, and the lack Of competition has
enabled him to make much larger profit
than could have been secured in the east.
In addition to bis regular work he owns
considerable property, which pays good
dividends. He bought out the Stone
Cattle and Pasture company, which
owned Eve counties in Texas, at cost Of
$50, 900, and although he was working In
the interests Of New York capitalists, be
made good thing out Of the transaction.
Mrs. Wells and Woolston first met in
the west about six years ago, but under
what circumstances is not known. After
short acquaintance she was introduced
into Woolston's family as Mrs. f. A.
willard Of Boston, and be TOOK pains TO
spread the report that she was a wealthy
widow who wanted 10 invest in western
property. The relations Of the two be-
came more and more intimate and Il be-
came necessary for the widow" to leave
WoolstOn's house, but he continued to
spend most Of his time in her company In
other places. Mrs. Woolston could not
be blind TO the situation, but remon-
strances were Of no avail. They travelled
all over the country, visiting Helena,
Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Fort Benton,
Seattle, San Francisco, and other places.
Woolston was lavish in his gifts to his
companion. He made her an allowance
Of $500 q month and all expenses and
she received in addition such presents as
100000 worth Of railroad bonds and
stock; 100000 worth Of Consolidated
Helena Water Works bonds, large I'm
terest in the Plymouth Rock Cattle COM
pany and Stone Pasture and Grazing
company.
Early in July Of the present year they
were at Wray's Cottage, Sheepshead Bay,
under the names Of Mr.. and Mrs. g. Il.
Walton. Mrs. Woolston heard they were
there and went to see for herself II the
rumor was true. II was raining hard
when she reached the place and II was
evident that Mrs. Walton did not expect
callers. She was expecting her victim,
however, and, as the carriage drove up to
the cottage, she rushed TO the door to
welcome him. But Il was the injured
wife who faced her, and for an instant
the scene resembled tableau In high
tragedy.
The adventures lodged and fled to the
station, and Mrs. Woolston followed but
did not overtake her. Mrs. Woolston
put detectives upon the track and then
turned her attention to the trunks which
had been left behind. She knew certain
papers belonging 10 her had been carried
of by her husband, and she secured 4
search warrant, which gave her the right
10 inspect the trunks. They were opened
In the presence Of several witnesses and q
mass Of evidence was revealed.
There were letters from New York bus
iness men showing concluslvely that Their
relations with the same woman were sim
liar to those Of Woolston. Woolston pro-
posed q secret divorce to his wife and she
refused. She claims tho attempt was
made to have her declared insane. also
that ahe was ehot At through q car win
dow near Pltlsield last summer. The
husband and the other woman are now
In Wisconsin.