, 1891-05-12
BROKE HIS PROMISE.
Frank W. Knox, a Prominent
Pennsylvania Lawyer,
Sued by a Canadian Girl for
$4,000 Damages.
He Said He Would Marry Her,
but Failed to Do So.

BUFFALO, May IA breach of prom
Ise case which will, before it ends, attract
widespread attention because Of its sensa-
tional character and the prominence OF the
people involved, is on trial before Judge
Childs in the s:preme court. The plain
tiff is Nellie r. Livingston, a Canadian
girl 30 years old, and she is suing Frank
W. Knox, a prominent Pennsylvania
lawyer, Tor s25 900 damages for not keep
ing his word when, as she alleges, he
promised to make her Mrs. Knox
1t appears that several months ago
Miss Livingston inserted an advertise
ment in a Buffalo newspaper expressing a
desire to be hired as a companion to a
lady. The advertisement was an attrac-
tive one and found its wav to Frank w.
Knox of Pennsylvania, a widowed attor.
ney who, although not a lady, saw no rea-
son why he should not have a companion
if he desired. aud the result wa a CORE.
spondence which led to a meeting at the
Tiff house, where the two, so Nellie
claims, became mutually attached to each
other. As meeting IN the hotel was con
strained. Miss Livingston, 1t is said, in
vited Knox to accompany her to the
house Of relatives on Seventh street,
which he did. Nellie represented to him
that she was the sister of a prominent
Judge IN the queens dominion and con
neoted with many prominent Canadian
families. Letters were exchanged be-
tween the pair after their Buffalo meet
ing, and these we're. it Is said, as indis-
Greet on both sides as such letters. usually
are, They will all be read in the court.
Franklin ID. Locke, attorney for Knox,
claims there is nothing TO the case; that
the pair had but two meetings, aRgregat-
ing but six minutes altogether, and that
Mise Livingston cannot recover. But the
fact that Spencer Clinton is her attorney
vouches for it that she has a case. As
Mr.. Locke Is ignorant of the contents of
his client letters L Nellie, his defense is
painfully 10 the dark. The complaint
specifically states that Knox proposed
marriage to Miss Livingston on January
4 or 5, 1859; that she accepted him and
has ever since been ready to ratify the
agreement with the present of her hand,
which, she states, she would donate rather
thnn receive the damages asked tor. Knox
halls from Coudersport, Pa, where he Is
prominent in legal and political circles.
The case was opened to the court this
afternoon. No difficulty was experienced
IN getting a jury, and after a few remarks
Attorney Spencer Clinton opened the
case. Miss Livingston was Immediately
called to the stand. She is a rather good
looking, stylish, lady like woman She
has a 1orid complexion and light hair be-
n,p,tnuly arranuaI Ghn pu,r ,1,an
fitting, ~fashionably made dress Of dark
material trimmed with black velvet, aud
a low bonnet of the latest spring style
tied under the chin. She also wore tan
mousquotAire gloves. and spoke with a
slight English accent. She made a mani
testify good impression upon every one in
the room. although she was almost too
self-possessed. The defendant sat beside
his attorney. Franklin D. Locke. and
looked uncomfortable He has a white
beard. a bald read aud sunken blue eyes
Miss Livingston made a good witness
Il came to Buffalo from Simcoe to meet
Mr.. Knox said she. Letters had
arranged the meeting ! got to the Tiff
house, the meeting place, first Mr..
Knox's train was late, but presently | was
told it hSd arrived MY brorher-in-law,
Mr.. Jackson, was with me. Then Mr..
Knox rushed in and greeted me aud went
to dinner. When he got through he came
and pressed both my hands and said he
liked me. He spoke of my hands, my
figure, my hair, my face and said any one
could see | had been brought up a lady.
He at once said: Let us make this a
business matter | did not like that idea.
"He then began TO talk of making
preparations for our marriage. He said
harmony was complete; we we're both
Scotch, both Presbyterians and he said |
suited him every way. He told me of his
home aud said he kept three horses and
W gardeners at his house in Penn
sylvania. He spoke of recarpeting the
house aud wanted me to help him. That
was Jan. 4. We we're to meet next day
and further arrange about our wedding.
He told me Of his second marriage and
said he had carried it through lust like this
one. At the Tiff house he asked me
what kind of an engagement ring | would
like, and | told him to choose. He said
the e year we'd 20 to the seasbore and
the following year 10 California He told
me he had $35, 900 in railroad securities,
money in the bank, and in every way
gave me to understand that he was a very
rich man.
I'VE went to see a play called Ny WIFE
and the heroine's name was Helen. Mr..
Knox said TO me, pressing my side.
That's a nice girl, but not as nice as my
Helen Next morning be came to TIE
Laycock at 10 O'clock and remained until
3 in the afternoon. Mr.. Knox took my
hands afterward and kissed them. He
said his heart was in the marriage and he
could not wait Tie drew me on his knee
and said be couldn't stand diSsappoint.
ment. He took an envelope from his
pocket and said there we're $3.50 there fol
me to begin buying things with.
Il said to him, Mr.. Knox, you've
taken your first mortgage on me. He
said, I'm goiu to make an American Of
YOU took the money and put it in nv
pocket"
Merchants lunch for Is cents from IL