The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-20


cial Club, had deserted his wife for an
unknown woman in New York.
Mrs. Helper, who has been in i'll
health several weeks, was Frustrated
yesterday by the information she had
received, and for time her friends
feared that sho would not survive the
shock
She revived, however, and was able
to start for the home of her parents in
Savannah last night. in company with
Mr.. Walter Murphy. cousin of
Mr.. Helper, who recently succeeded
him at the Commercial Club
This rumor has been current among
the intimate friends of the parties for
several days and they were not surprised
at the departure Of Mrs. Helper.
Mr.. Helper came here about a wear
ago and won the esteem of many Of the
pest people of Roanoke, and his wife
was favorite with all who knew her.
She is daughter of Major Nat Til
ton, leading citizen Of Savannah. and
was married to Mr.. Helper about thir-
teen years ago.
They lived happily up to within about
three years ago. when, while living in
Louisville Mrs. Helper claims to have
discovered letters of very affcctionatc
character in her husbands possession
written from New York, some of them
signed "Madclinc'' and others "Dollie."
She suspected unfaithfulncss on the
part Of her husband, and asked for an
explanation. lie claimed that the lady
was only friend. promising to put an
end to the correspondence and asking
pardon, which was granted.
Since that time Mrs. Helper claims
to have had reasons for moro suspicion.
Mr.. Helper went to New York about
the first of October, ostcnsibly to have Il
surgical operation performed. While
he was away the Philadelphia Press
published among it's hotel arrivals the
names Of Mr.. and Mrs. Hinton Helper.
as registered at Philadelphia hotel
Mrs. Helper was in Roanoke at the
time. :"
While he was away she discovered
letters i'll some Of his pockets signed by
the same "Madclinc." Some of the let
tcrs were addressed My Dear Ius-
band" and many of them asked for
money to pay board bills and dress max
ers' accounts. She also found diary
that contained memoranda of his good
times with M" Some of Mr.. Helpers
nearest friends here say that his trip
for medical treatment was Il deception,
and only an excuse for visit TO made
line"
He resigned his position as secretary
of the Commercial Club about the first
of the month, giving failing health us
his reason.
This is also said to have been decep-
ton.
Immediately after rendering his re-
signation, he attended Il land sale at
Petersburg and purchased lot. From
there he went to Richmond, where he
wrote the only letter his wife has re-
ccived from him since he has been
away.
MIR. Walter Murphy, his counsin, who
succeeded him at the club, wired him at
Richmond that his wife was sick and to
come home at once.
Mr. Murphy received reply from
New York the next day asking if Mrs.
Helper was sick.
Mr.. Murphy Immediately replied,
telling him to come at once, that Mrs.
Helper was very sick.
Mr. Helper replied that he was work
ing in the interests of syndicate to
deal in Petersburg real estate, and that
he was on big boom and could not
come.
On Sunday, the 9th instant, after hav-
ing sent several more kilograms Mr..
Murphy received q message from Mr..
Helper, saying that he would be in
Roanoke Wednesday. Mr.. Helper wired
his wife Tuesday that he would be here
the next day. Several other kilograms
were sent urging him to come to his
sick wife, but no further response was
received until yesterday, when Mr.
Murphy received a letter from Mr..
Helper in which he sent check for 500
to his wife, and said that his wife was a
disappointment
There was only $40 to his credit at
the bank, and when he left this city he
left Mrs. Helper with only So.
tron tho letters and dairy that Mrs.
Helper has in her possession, and the
recent actions of her husband, she con-
cluded that he had deserted her, and
that it was best for her to return to her
parents.
Mr.; and Mrs. Helper stopped at pri-
Vate boarding house on Roanoke street.
and and went in the best society of the city
The lady with whom they boarded said
to a TIMES reporter that Mr.. Helper
treated his wife very rudely and showed
every day that he cared nothing for
her.
She said further, that before bringing
his wife to Roanoke he often remarked
that he was unhappily married, his ia
vorlte expression being that there was
no affinity between himself and his
wife.
The reporter was shown a letter from
Mr.; Helpers sister in which she demo
unced him in strongest terms. saving