, 1891-04-03
MARRIED OUT AT SEA.
The Brief Romance of Hand
some Cora Bell.
United to Totten Smith, Gam,
bier and Spendthrift.
Who Pawned Her Jewels and
Abused Her.

Chicago, April Cora Bell, pretty,
bright eyed and scarcely seventeen, has,
within one year. lived through a romance
equaling any endeavor in recent fiction.
The hero aud villain is at present her nus
band and she is now seeking an absolute
divorce in the superior court. The match
was a runaway but OF such All original
kind as to supply the element of romance
which, Tor a time, compensated Tor the
bitterness that came to the young bride.
She was married on a tug boat that was
tossed on the waves of the Pacific far out
from land and the jurisdiction Of the state
law. The seasirkness she then felt must
nave p~Ortended the matrimonial dIsiastc
that wa soon TO follow.
Cora Bell was bore in Peoria. Her
father was a wealthy business man and
upon his death left his wife and daughter
a comfortable fortune. Cora is q bright,
intelligent girl whose romantic ideas ex-
banded in the atmosphere of a fashionable
seminary. Being 10 ill-health last year,
Mrs. Bell, by direction OF her physician.
went on a trip to the Pacific coast, taking
her daughter with her as a companion.
Pretty and of an eX seedinRly social dis
position, she attracted many male
admirers. At Los Angeles she became
acquainted with Totten Smith. a hand
some man of twice her age. Smith was
assiduous in his attention, representing
himself as a person Of leisure and the son
of very wealthy parents. Mrs. Bell
looked with i'll favor upon the young
mans suit. and tried in every way to DIS
courage his advances to her daughter,
claiming that the girl was too young to
think of matrimony.
Certain stories. vague in their sug-
g%estion, which she bad heard concerning
the young man. made her stronger in her
determination to Illustrate the match.
Smith, however, still kept up the siege
Of the young woman's heart. When he
Bells moved from one place to another,
Smith followed. Early IN March Of 1880
he proposed marriage. Cora accepted him
with the condition that he would ask her
mothers consent. Smith had a long
interview with the mother. IN which his
persuasive eloquence and bis prOtestatious
of u%ndyinR love for the daughter availed
him nothing. Mrs. Bell was infexiblc
and plainly EXPRESSED her doubts as to
tue Young man ; NOTl4lOCSS.
The lovers held a secret consultation on
the matter. California laws forbid the
marriage of minors ia the state with
out permission ofthe parents. An el>pe
ment was suggested, but, though iniatu-
ated with her lover, Cora would not con
sent to suddenly leaving her mother. So
they met clandestinely. hoping that some
chance would bring them the precious
opportunity. 1t came in San Francisco,
and a few hours after the proposal Of the
plan Miss Bell and Smith, accompanied
by a clergyman, were being carried Olt to
sea on a tug.
Miss Bell now says that she has no
proof that the minister was a bona tide
clergyman. The tossing o. the little craft
made her deathlY sick aud she was com
PEELED to lie down until the craft heaved
to. Then she was gotten to her feet and.
more dead than alive. stood by the side Of
her lover ana they were made man and
wife. The boa then steered back to the
1ity. Miss Bell felt the effect OF the trip
SO much that she had In take to her bed
upon her return.
Mrs. Bell was made aware OF the mar
rage IN the evening and a stormy scene
followed. but in spite of the supplIrItlUnS
OF the mother Cora stood by her husband.
She picked up her belongings aui left
with him
Smith and his young wife started on a
tour of the coast aud it was soon apparent
that Smith derived hIs income solely from
gambling. When luck was against him
he abused his wife. Her tears were IN
vain and a threat TO return TO her mother
only MADE him all the more violent On
one occasion he cut her throat with a
razor. He used every ~endeavor, it is said.
to compel her to aid him in his peculiar
business. but she stCadfastly refused.
Once he made her put up her watch as a
stake. 1t was won, but the winner kindly
returned it to Mrs. Smith Piece by
piece he Cambled away her ~iewelry. On
several occasions he inflicted bodily VIC.
lence.
She finally concluded to leave him. but
was ashamed to return TO her mother, aud
went to seek protection from friends at
Green River CITY.
In June last Smith followed her and
demanded that she return and live him.
Upon her refusal he drew a revolver and
attempted to shoot. but was disarmed and
elected from the place. He swore ven
geance and Mrs. Smiths friends deemed
it advisable to get her away. She was
sent u lillS CITY "ltIe utE ulOlnfT ihh
taken mp her residence and where she has
since lived.
Smiths whereabouts are unknown at
present, but if he should make n fight,
maintaining the legality OF the marriage.
it will bring out some fine points. concern
ing which Mrs. Smiths attorneys at pres
ent are making a painstaking research.
California legal boundary scaward will
have IN he sattlnd first
Mrs. Smith does not even recall the
name of the minister and has never to her
knowledge seen him since. Through her
lawyers she is ready to prove that Smith
is notorious gambler and has the reputa
ton Of being a wicked aud desperate man.
The Debating club.
One of the most interesting meetings in
the history Of the Debating Club was held
last evening when the question Of the