The evening world., 1891-06-30
MESEROLE'S CRIME,
Preparing 10 Defend The Killing Of
Jealous Theodore Larbis,
Funeral OF the Slain Man to Take
Place Tonight.
Dovie Comstock's Unheedcd Appeal
to the Father She Dlsgraced.

Warden Doyle. Of the Raymond street Jail
| in Brooklyn, guards closely his two prisoners,
Darwin J. Meserole, who killed Theodore Lar
big, the travelling salesman, and Mrs. Dovie
Comstock, who ls held as an accessory TO the
crime.
Lawyer w. !. Gnynor has been retained by
Gen. Moserole, the young mans father, to de
fend both the accused persons, and by his
instruction they are allowed to speak to no
one, and visitors are not permitted.
They will 1rst tell the complete story Of the
crime that was committed in Mrs. Comstock's
nat at 37s sackett street when they are
brought before Coroner Rooney tomorrow
night.
Although Mrs. Comstock has steadily re-
FUSED to speak OF the details OF her past life,
her history has been fully disclosed in all Its
shamelessness, and II presents remarkable
record.
Her real name Is Clara Sherk Forney, and
she is the daughter OF ID. c. FOrney, proprietor
OF the Washington sunday Chronicle and
brother OF the late Col. John w. Forney, the
famous politician and journalist.
The family was prominent In society OF the
National capital and in her younger days
Miss Forney was conspicuous ornament OF
the swell set. She acquired her nickname
DOvie" from her sweet disposition and
engaging manners.
After a season or two following her en-
trance TO society she began TO show tenden-
cies towards life OF reckless guyoty that
made her old companions shake their heads
but when, in 1850, she became the wife OF
Walter J. ComstOck, Il wealthy young bust
ness man Of Providence, her friends believed
! that she would settle down TO a decorous mar
ried life.
She met Mr.. Comstock at a seaside resort,
and they were married, after a very brief en-
gagement, at the Church OF the Epiphany In
Washington. The ceremony was a brilliant
one and as a social event, H. attracted much
/ attention at the National capital.
Mr.. Comstock took his wife 10 Providence,
where his father had provided handsomely FOR
| the young couple, presenting them with a
house and stables that cost 100000. There
| for four years they lived and entertained
lavishly. Money was plenty and social
| eXtrayaganceS was the rule.
Then domestic troubles loomed up, and
people began TO talk or Mrs. COmstockts reck-
| less behavior with young men of this town.
/ She had Joined very gay set, and had
acquired n taste for drink which she could not
/ or would not overcome.
She neglected her family and her children,
and used to come To New York TO see friends,
20 induce her 20 give up her vicious compan-
ions, but without avail, aud finally, In 1856,
he procured divorce rom her and secured
| the custody OF her child, a boy, who was
named FOrney, after h.5 mother. Another
child, a girl, had died at the age OF three.
Her husband accused her of all sorts 0f i'm
proprieties, and the evidence adduced was
conclusive. After tie divorce she lived In
/ Providence for awhile with a notorious
woman named Belle Saville, but In 1889 she
| came TO New York and began career which
Il hau nNRa NaH In ha NJ hRaa
| families.
For time she is said to have travelled
| about with New York Jeweller, but she
finally settled In Brooklyn, where the police
| have had an eye upon her for many months
past.
Mr.. Comstock is travelling abroad with his
| son. He has married again, He Is wen known
as a breeder OF fine dogs and the owner OF
| thoroughbred horses.
Among those TO whom Mrs. Comstock sent
messages during the first day Of her impris-
| Onment In the Raymond Street Jail were sew
eral friends In Providence and her father In
| Washington.
She has not seen or communicated with her
parents for 1ve years, hut she thought that
| In her trouble her father might come TO her
| assistance. IL was stated that he was eX-
| pected In Brooklyn last evening, but moth
Ing has yet been heard trom him at the jail.
" ! do not believe he Il coming at ALL" said
| Warden Doyle this morning, " for he would
| certainly have answered his daughters tele-
| gram before this II he intended to visit her.
| " She says herself that she hardly expects
hin, for she knows that he has cast her on,
4 and she has Deen afraid TO see him ever since
| her separation from her husband"
| The wOman's face Is still very much bruised
| and swollen, and Lawyer GaYnOr has made
arrangements 20 have her photograph taken
| to-day, In order that IL may be offered AT the
| trial In evidence Of the violence used by Lar
| big, which led TO the shooting.
| Warden Doyle has given his permission to
| have the sitting take place IN the yard OF the
| jail. Neither Mr.. Gaynor nor Gen. Meserole
| will have anything to say In regard To the de-
| Tense which Is being prepared.
The body OF Theodore Larblg lies to-day in
| the little house at ~ Second street, Brooklyn,
| where he lived with his family. Funeral SER
| vices will be conducted this evening by Rev.
| Dr. Lyman. Of the South Congregational
| Church, and Rev. A. =. Mcdaniel.
| LarbiE was q member OF a Masonic lodge,
| and n delegation OF his friends In that order
| VIII attend the ceremony. His body will be
buried In the old New York Bay Cemetery.