Evening journal., 1891-01-16
EVA SUED FOR DIVORCE.
'Josh" Mann Brings Action
4 Against Mrs. Hamilton.
HE SAYS THAT SHE WAS HIS WIFE

New and Sensational Developments Anent
she wonan's Attempt to Capture a
Dover Isterest in the Estate Of the Late
Robert Ray Hamilton
NEW YORK, Jan. 16.-Another chapter
was opensd yesterday in the romantic
career of Evangeline L. Steel, sometimes
known as Evangeline L. Parsons, Mrs.
Mann and Ars. Robert Ray Hamilton
The prologue began Friday night last,
when an old woman called at the residence
of Lawyer William Howe. on Boston
avenue and One Hundred and Sixty-ninth
street. She introduced herself as the
mother Of Joshua J. Mann. MY son de-
sires divorce said Mrs. Mann, Sr. "You
know he is married TO a woman who
claims 20 be the widow OF Robert Ray
Hamilton"
josh" aTann's Deposition.
The lawyer made an engagement to
meet "Josh" Monday, but the latter was
800 i'll to leave his home in St Marks
place, and a clerk went there and took his
deposition.
lie says be met Eva in April, 1881; that
they agreed to be man and wife, and that
they lived together as such in various
places in this state and Pennsylvania
They visited together the homes OF Eva's
relatives and Joshua was everywhere rec
cgnized rs Aar husband Eva never ques.
stoned the relationship, but instead, on
certain occasions, insisted on Joshuas de
claring the fact OF their marriage.
She Had Married Hamilton.
This continued until January, 1859, when
Joshua learned that Eva had married Rob
ert Ray Hamilton. and he told Eva he
thought 1t was practical joke, and that
the marriage certificate had been procured
solely for ahe purpose of playing joke
upon him. Joshua seeks a divorce on the
statutory grounds.
He Put 1t Under Her Arm.
Louis d. Allen, OF Howe g. Hummel's
office, was yesterday detailed to serve the
summons an Eva, and he kept her ia view
In the surrcgate's court. When the recess
was taken Allen followed the heavily
veiled womanint a Third avenue elevated
train. She got off at Fourteenth street and
entered No. 2O3 OF that street Allen slip
ped into the hallway after her.
''0h, Mrs Mannl' said he and Eva
turned ab0ut impatiently.
Il have a little present here from your
husband, Mr. Mann said Allen softly.
We'll, what is it2' asked the lady with
acerbity.
"Only summons for divorce, y and Al
len held 4 out but Mrs MEM refused to
take it. Allen then put il under her arm,
and left ~ quickly as he could, without
waiting to hear what she said.
BOT Hamiiton's widow.
Col Charles w. Fuller. counsel for Mrs.
Hamilton, began the proceedings in the
will contest In the surrogate's court with
an argument in favor OF declaring the
contestants status as the widow estab-
hshed. '"Phere is not, he said, "even a
hint that abs and Mann ever intended TO
marry, or that they lived together for any
length Of time There can be no presump.
eA@n aa marriage. Joshua Mann was IN
the jurisdiction Of the court, and could
have been called to give partial evidence
OF marriage between him and the con
testant, II there had been marriage
Elihu Root answered on behalf 81 fhe
propopents The woman's conduct end
the fact that she carried on business as
Eva L. Mann, signing checks and hank
books a. sneh, was alluded TO.
This closed the argument, and tho surro-
gate said that Eva's statements and dec.
laratiOas were evidence Of her marripge
and she pnst be held and bound ~ those
declarations. The notion therefore, to
declare her status as the widow Of Robert
Ray Hsmlls9n must '.e denied.
n WA sobhed Violently.
Col Fuller then called several witnesses
20 prove the marriage OF the contestant
and HamiBson. During this time Eva
wept and sobbed violently. Elihu Root
was hinsalf placed upon the stand to iden-
Gify Hamilton's signature.
Maj. Gen. Schuyler Hamilton identified
the contestant as the woman who had been
introduced to him by his son as his wife,
An adjournment was then taken.