The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-24
AWIFE'SLONG CHASE
After the Husband Who, Deserted
Her in England.
SIZE LOCATES HIa III IEw YORK

And Finds Him living with the
Charmer who Stole Him from Her
On the Other SiGe-gi,c Auused
English Woman Icfuscs TO Com
promise.
New YORK, June PA very COM
plicaied domestic engagement has been
transferred from England to these
shores. Joseph Samson Stafford, late of
lIarborno, near birmingham, England,
is threatened with divorce suit in the
American courts. He was once the chief
clerk Of the North British and Mercan-
tile Insurance company in Birmingham,
getting good salary. He and his wife
are both about 3S years of age. She kept
draper's shop In Harborne, and their
united incomes made them prosperous.
But the middle aged Mr., Stafford had
youthful heart, which caused him to
become infatuated with Miss Nellie
st. Clair Whitaker, whose father man.
ufactured tape measures in Charles
street, Birmingham. AT the same time
she was beloved OF Walter Reynolds,
young and good luclling electrician He
proposed that She should marry him
when he had large enough income.
)
and she promised to come out to him
when he should write that he was
ready.
Sold His wife's Business.
After young Reynolds sailed away
Stafford gained cnlire control Of Miss
Whittaker's affections, and sold his wife's
business in order to be able to preserve
them for himself He went to live with
Miss Whitaker in Birmingham. Mrs.
STAFFORD began an action for divorce, and
Mr.. Justice Butt granted her alinuny
Of l2s. Cd. week pen,iing the result OF
the action.
While it was pending Mr.. Whitaker
horsewhippel his daughters lover very
sevcrely. When he threatened to re-
peat the process Stafford and his CORE
spondent fed to America. They sailed
from Liverpool in February, 1880 Mr..
Staiford's almony had been increased to
81 week, but it was not pail. When
an uncle of his died leaving. him 1900
Mrs. Stafford determined to get posses
sion of the money. but was prevented
by the terms of the uncles will.
Tracked Them to America.
Then, after much inquiry, She learned
that her husband was engaged in the
tape manufacturing business in this
IL.
Tape and Nellie ut, Clair Whitaker had
become so closely associated in her
mind that she immediately decided that
her husband aid Nellie were living to-
gether. She determined on pursuit and
arrived i'll this country two weeks ago.
After several days hunt for Mr.. Siaf-
ford she came across him unexpectedly
on johnson street, accompanied by nellie.
the fi.ithless one. An excited dialogue
ensued, during which Nellie inadc her
escape. Then it was agreed that tile
husband should call and Arrange to pay
the aiimony,
The jiltcd Lover Appears.
A few days later the deceived lover,
Walter Reynolds, called on Mrs. Stas-
ford, saying that he represented her hus-
band as solicitor. Mrs. Stafford was
much surprised, but Reynolds said it
was all right, as he took no more inter-
est in Nellie, and did not see why he
should not turn an honest penny rs at
torney. Then the husband came and
tried to induce his wife to return home.
Mrs. Stafford refused and retained as
her lawyer b. q. Oppenheim, of 10 Wall
street, 10 sue for divorce and alimony.
The papers were served by LAWYER OPP
panheim, and the case viii come up In
supreme court chambers ON Friday