Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-18
TRAGEDY AND DIVORCE.
A Suit In Georgia Makes Public an In.
teresting Secret.

The quiet village OF Hartwell Ga, has long
been haven for divorce seekers from South
Carolina on account Of the stringent divorce
laws in that state. One of the di-
vorce cases to be settled soon is of great in
terest The plaintiff is Mrs. Jennie Olympic,
and she asks the court TO grant her an alb
solute divorce from her husband, George
with the privilege Of resuming her maiden
name, Jennie Townsend. At the last term OF
the superior court she was granted legal sepa-
ton from her husband, the verdict in the alb
solute divorce to be rendered at the coming
term of the court. In her petition she gives
the following account of her life which is
substantiated by abundant evidences:
Twenty-three years ago there was born to the
Townsends, one Of the first families OF South
Carolina an only daughter. This child was
reared Ill wealth, given every comfort and in
duigence. Her beauty was remarkable and
she had many suitors for her hand and heart.
Prominent among these were John and George
Olympic, the former being about her own age
and his brother being twenty-five years old
To the younger of the brothers the girl gave
her heart and promised her hand. The
girl and appeared soon to have lived down his
love.
When she was seventeen years old Miss
Townsend was being educated in a prominent
seminary in her native state, but her love for
John Giympe did not abate, and when he pro-
posed an elopement and marriage at q
neighboring minister's she offered no OBJ
lection. He was to meet her about O'Clock
ut night IN the grounds of the seminary
and take her in carriage to the ministers
house. The young man took his brother
into his confidence John was delayed by
something happening, and George went to the
grounds to quiet the young lady's anxiety.
When George reached the rendezvous he
found the girl already at the appointed spot
and anxiousy awaiting her lover. The night
was very dark. and as soon as he came in sight
she rpjstook him for his Younger brother-whom
he very much resembled-and few into his
arms. Without correcting her he lifted her into
friends where they were married. This was
made possible by the marriage laws Of South
Carolina, which neither requires @ marriage
license nor minister to perform a legal cere-
mony. bat simply consent i'll the presence Of
two witnesses. The girl had not seen the face
her to his home, and when she discovered her
fatal error she was crazed with grief. John
Glympe, when he reached the rendezvous and
did not find his sweetheart. was likewise
grief-stricken; but when he discovered
his brothers peridy he took his disap-
pointment even harder than Miss Town
send did. Mrs. Glympe succeeded in
keeping the matter a secret. Two daughters
were born to the Glympes. but soon George
began to maltreat his handsome wife. When
John Glympe heard of this he took q house
near the Glympes, in order to protect his
former sweetheart IL there should be occasion
for 80 doing. He did SO once and was shot and
killed by his brother. George was arrested,
but was acquitted on a technically. His wife
removed to this place and began divorce pro-
ceedngs, and there IL little doubt but that the
coming term of court will grant her request.