The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-17
THE BLAINE DIVORCE CASE.


Become Famous.
The announcement in the News dis
patches that Mrs. James g. Blaine, Jr..
would probably be allowed a decree of alb
solute divorce from her husband by the
South Dakota court this week, revives in
terest in the history Of the case, the chief
facts of which follow:
Mrs. Blaine acquired residence in South
Dakota last year, after she had become
satisfied that there was no course left her
save TO sue her husband for divorce. She
went to Sioux Falls, and when her COM
plant was filed in the court at Deadwood
In December, she was able to swear that
she had been resident of the state for
ninety days preceding the beginning Of the
action.
The first move taken by Mrs. Blaine after
the filing of the complaint was the applica-
ton for alimony and counsel fees. This
application was opposed by her husband.
but unsuccessfullv. IL was allowed, and
young Blaine was ordered to pay her within
thirty days $500 alimony and $500 counsel
fees. Young Blaine had pleaded poverty
as one reason why he should not be forced
to pay alimony. He did not pay, and the
alimony and counsel fees remained unpaid
until it was seen that there could be no oom-
promise. Then they were paid, the check
being sent, as generally believed, by James
G. Blaine.
In her complaint Mrs. Blaine charges that
her husband bad deserted her and had fail
ed TO provide for her support. 1t is stated by
her friends that she might have included
charge Of cruel treatment, but she did not
choose to do so. Mrs Blaine demanded the
custody of their child, James G. Blaine the
third Her husband declared that she
ought not to be allowed TO have the child,
an cuid hok ~ ba fNJx pf
given to him he would place him in the
care Of his father and mother at Augusta.
In his answer young Blaine denied that be
had deserted his wife, and charged that she
had deserted him instead.
After the application for alimony had
been granted, testimony was taken in the
suit in New York, Daniel Lord, Jr., having
been appointed referee for that purpose
1t was thought that it would be as we'll to
examine the Witnesses there as to force them
to make the long Journey to South Dakota.
What was brought out at the hearing was
carefully guarded, and both Mr.. and Mrs
Blaine refused to talk of their troubles.
While the hearing was going on there
was an attempt to effect compromise.
Mr.. and Mrs Blaine had conferences
through their attorneys. but before any
decision had been arrived at the court in
South Dakota refused to allow Mrs. Blaine's
child to be brought east to spend the holi-
days with her. This ended the attempt at a
compromise. Mrs. Blaine was deeply
grieved anebdisappointed at the action Of
the court and she resolved to go on with
the suit and make determined effort to
have the custody of her child declared TO be
her right. All talk Of a compromise was
dropped.
While Mrs. Blaine was in New York in
December attending the hearing before the
referee she went to Inspector Byrnes and
complained that she was being Swallowed
by spies in the employ OF her husband. She
was staying at the New York hotel. She
alleged that woman spy was there In the
guise of guest Of the hotel, and that her
actions were unbearable. She also said that
the cab driver whom she employed hal
been approached by a man whom she be-
lieved to be spy of her husbands, and
asked questions as to the times he drove her
out aud where. Mr.. Blaine refused to say
anything about the charge OF employing
spies to watch his wife.
Mr.. and Mrs. James g. Blaine are gen.
orally given credit for causing the trouble
between James G. Blaine, Jr., and his wife.
Young Blaine met Mary Nevins at Bar
Harbor. The marriage took place in New
York In September, 1885, For time the
husband was employed on Pittsburg news
paper, an allowance from hia father MAX
ing it possible for him and his wife to live
comfortably. Then they came to this city,
and Bleine was employed here on a news
paper. He soon gave up that and went into
a brokers office. Then his parents got con-
troll Of him. His allowance was
stopped, and that was very disagree
able TO youth brought US up
as he had been. They were anxious to get
control too of James G. Blaine the third,
but they did not succeed. In 1883 the
Blaines induced their son to leave his wife,
50 she says. He went to their home in Aus
gusta. When Mrs. Blaine went there, too,
all her efforts to induce her husband to re-
turn to her having failed. the door was shut
10 her face.
Being obliged to support herself, Mrs.
Blaine determined to go on the stage, and
began to study under a contract with
Daniel Frohman. Her studies were inter-
rupted, however. by severe attack of in
flammatory rheumatism, which confined
her TO her bed for months. During that
time a benefit performance was given for
her in New York. Her divorce proceedings
followed soon after the recovery of her
health.
sHE-I think the Chinese have very musical
names.
He-Indeed2
She-Yes. There's 30 much Sing about them.
Art an ADVERTISING.