The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-12-23
HER SONG OF WOE.
Another Great Scandal at
Nashville.
Mrs. Sadie Polk Fall Gardner
Sues for a Divorce.
Some Saccharine Letters Attached to
the Divorce Bill.
Gardner Once Called Her Pet, But
Now He's Cold.
Defendant One of the Wealthiest Young
Men in the SOuth-Mrs. Gardner, as
Sadie Polk Fall, Was Reign
ing Belle.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. ia sem
sational divorce suit that has been
anticipated for months, was begun by
the fling of a bill here this afternoon.
Mrs. Sadie Polk Fall Gardner IL the
plaintiff, and she seeko absolute di-
vorce from Matt NJ. Gardner, and at
taches his property to secure alimo-
nv. Matt Gardner is probably the
wealthiest young man in the South.
He not only kPows how to make, but
has the facility for saving. He Is re-
ported to be worth half a million.
Mrs. Gardner, as Sadie Polk Fall, was
for wears social leader, and ac-
knowledged to be the beauty of the
city. Their marriage, in May, 1891,
was a great social event, and society
was shocked to hear OF their separa-
ton a few months later. Since then
the public has been waiting the filing
of divorce proceedings, to learn the
cause of separation.
Mrs. Gardner alleges that she was
cruelty deserted without cause. The
bill is very long. It opens by say
ing she was "a and Mr.. Gardner SO
when they were married, May Il,
1881. They bad been acquainted for
years. For about five years before
their marriage he was constant in
his visits and unremitting in his at
tentiOns. He protested affection. 1t
was reciprocated. He proposed mar
riage. She accepted him. They be-
came engaged and the wedding day
was fixed. Thereafter he became i'll
and was confined to his room. AT
this time he expressed the deepest
love and tenderest devotion. He
wrote letters, which are given in de-
tail. In one addressed to Mrs. q. w.
Fall, he apologies for rudeness to
her guests, and says: Il do it on ac-
count of the great love L have for
Sadie, whom love better than any
one else in this world, and because
you are Sadie's mother l never
want or intend to do anything will
fully that will make her as unhappy
as | found her this morning"
In a letter addresser to "My pre-
cious little darling" he says: 81
swear L love you, and you alone, and
to make me always love you L ask
you now to believe in me and trust
me always aud at all times. Look to
me for advice and counsel, aud trust
me for your guidance in all matters,
for have proven to the world and
to men that my Judgment is good in
all matters. Look up to me and be
proud of me, Tor 1 think l am worthy
OF it aud L promise, by the aid of God
to make you always feel proud that
you bear the name OF Mrs. NJ. NJ
Gardner"
His Lutte Pet rnen.
Iu another, ITO my precious one,
he spesks of nis "little pet" and says
MY darling I could take you in my
arms if you were here and print such
a LOVING kiss on those pretty red lips
OF you're. Be satisfied with my lOye
my little pet. No money in this
world could buy the love L have fol
you. It's too honest and pure"
And further on: Don't leave the
race track tomorrow until after the
crowd has gone. l don't care to run
the risk with you. Promise me not
to take but one glass Of wine tO-mOr-
row, and then don't go without 8
chaperone. People talk so much.
want you, Bruce ana Ella to go out
with me Monday or Tuesday, and
then we will have quart. What
say You? Come out Wednesday at
y. M. and bring your mother to cele-
brate my 35th birth day and L will
open two bottles with plenty of ice.'
Mr.. Gardner recovered and they
married on the 18th day Of May, 1891
at the Polk Place, Nashville, Tenn,
where her parents lived. They de-
parted from Nashville on an ex-
tended wedding tour by way OF Gin
cinnati, Niagara, New York and 9th
er places.
In letter to Mrs. Fall, dated Gin
cinnati, he says: 81 never knew
Sadie as l now know her. She to
me is an angel She is go sweet, kind
10
times l have felt a little badly she
came around my bed like some min
istering angel. No wonder it was sc
hard for you TO give her up. l can
now see and appreciate the feeling. ]
could never give her up. She fills
my eye, heart and life completely
aud were | asked to change her coulC
not make one single change"
They arrived in New York in 6
few days. They selected, and Mr.
Gardner purchased furniture fol
their home, a place in Nashville
Tenn. He also purchased and gave
! to her an elegant carriage with har'
ness to match, all ablsze with hel
monogram
On their return to Nashville they
went to the Polk place, while Lyn'
wood, Gardeners place, was being pre-
tN ice.
Mr.. Gardeners health became sc
bad that he, in October, had TO go tt
DR.. Briggs private infirmary. They
parted tenderly and with affection
Some days after Mr.. Gardner went tC
the infirmary, she obtained per
mission through DR.. Briggs to GO
with some mutual friends ON a briel
visit to New York. DIR. Briggs said
he thought 1t was better for both OF
them that she should. On her re
turn she telephOned Mr.. Gardner,
and was told by him that his health
was very bad and that he would see
her as soon as he could. After the
interview at the telephone aud on
the same day, complainant prepared
dinner for him at the infirmary
The servant returned with the din.
ner and the informstion that Mr.
Gardner was then dining with bis
sister, Mrs. Buckner, who resided
almost within a stones throw of the
Polk place.
MonGay the next day. che went to
the office of DIR. Briggs, on Union
street, and demanded TO know what
was the matter and to see her hua-
band. He told her that Mr.. GaI duer
was not happy, that he would not see
her, that he said he had lost his love
and fascil. alton for her, that he took
all the blame on himself, but would
not live with her. While che ard
DR.. Briggs were engaged in this con.
versatiOD, the defendant opened the
door of an adjoining room, and en-
tered unexpectedly. ExclaimiDg,
ooh, Mr.. Gardner" she quickly APP
preached to greet him. Without
uttering word he threw up his
hands as if warning her away, backed
quickly through the door he had
entered, and disappearing with DIR.
Briggs, the door was closed behind
them.
4 Wife's Letter.
She has since written numerous
letters, beseeching him to grant an
interview, and finally one OF these
was returned unanswered. On New
YEARS. Day, 1892, she wrote him the
following letter:
"Linwood, the first day of the new
year, and l sit sad and alone with a
broken heart, and, although DIR. Briggs
has Just this morning handed me back
the little Xmas remembrance l sent
YOU, with loving words, my dear hus-
band, do not believe you realize how
unjust and unkind the act was. No one
can ever make me believe if you have
lost all love and fascination for me, for
such was your message from DIR.
Witherspoon and Judge Lea, that you