The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-26
A SCANDAL AT CENTRALIA.
Complex Relationships OF the Burtons
and Blackstones.

CENTRALIA, June 25.-lSpecial. Social
circles here have been thrown into quite a
ferment by an expose published in local
paper this afternoon affecting the character
of a woman who, until quite recently, lived
in this city and moved in the best society.
For years there was not church or other
social event that was complete without
her presence. She was the possessor of
considerable musical talent, and was at
one time teacher of music in Grace
seminary, and had numerous private
pupils. She was known as the wife of Mr..
C. A. Blackstone, and Ed Burton, who was
the keeper of confectionery here, was
supposed to be her brother.
To intimate friends she declared her.
self an ill-used woman, who had deter
mined to live down certain rumors which
she could not prevent. The rumors were
to the effect that she and Blackstone
had married through an advertisement.
They were married in Miller's hotel,
Chehalis, and afterwards moved here,
and the peculiarities of her courtship
were common property. While enjoying
the popularity, which was her sole aim
in existence, her evil genius caused her
to decide on having her brother here. He
took up his residence with his sister, with
the free and full concurrence of the hus-
band. For long time he was not seen,
but eventually started a successful confec-
tionery store. This winter Ed was away
for few weeks and returned with bride.
Soon it began to be whispered that there
was something wrong with the Burtons,
and Mrs Burton took her departure and
went to Portland, where she remained till
the Blackstones left Centralia for Grants
pass. Then she returned, and for while
everything apparently went on smoothly
until Burton left and went to Oregon, and
his creditors stepped in and closed the
store. Mrs. Burton remained till this
morning, when she took the train south.
Before leaving she told the following story
to a PosT-INTELLIGENcER reporter:
Ny sister has place in Benkleman, Neb., and
Burton owned one adjoining. He courted her
but she refused to marry him and he went away.
We soon received a letter from him containing
photograph OF a woman he had picked up in
Detroit and married. This clipping from the
paper shows what had been done:
Last Friday in Detroit, Mich, at the residence
OF the brides aunt, Mrs A. S. Barnes, Mr.. Ed Il.
Burton OF Benkelman, Neb., and Miss Adah
Pease, of Detroit, Mich, were united in mar
riage The wedding was quiet one, only
very few intimate friends being present
time ago he again commenced correspond
ence. this time from Centralia. liked him, and
finally he came and married me. He got very
nervous as we neared home, but ! suspected
nothing wrong. We walked into his store. A
woman greeted us very efiusively, but, great
heavens! the face was the face of the picture in
the photograph which he had sent of his wife,
who he assured us was dead and under the sod
two wears before / asked for an explanation.
He afterward admitted that she had once passed
for SUCH but was never legally married to him.
Mrs. Blackstone threatened, coaxed and cried,
and then dared me make public my suspicious
and knowledge. / refused to let him live at her
house any longer and tried to tell Blackstone
II all ended in bitter fight between Us, and
went away to Portland to earn my own living.
Mrs. Burton cannot prove bigamy be-
cause there is no record of her husband s
marriage TO Mrs. Blackstone 70 be found
After Mrs. Burton returned from Port
land she intercepted letter from Grants
pass from Mrs. Blackstone to my dear
Ed !" urging him to come 70 her again. as
"she found she couldn't live without her
Ed" The letter concluded: ~ 1ou can
have a nice room to yourself, and Charley
| is willing" Charley is the husband who
knows ali that has happened.