The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-24

Appleton and Miss Parsons Do some
Strange Things.
printed the following remarkable story
Of the strange actions of Miss Katharine
Parsons, one of Virgil MAS fairest daugh-
tors:
In these prosaic times it is hard to
convince people outside the ranks OF the
following Of Mrs. Annie Besant that the
power Of hypnotism is apt to become
menace to American firesides.
But II the stories of perfec thy rep
utable and reliable people arc to be
credited, it is nothing less than the hyp-
motto gift which has blasted the hitherto
perfect happiness of happy Southern
home. 1t has torn beautiful AMI ac-
complished daughter from hor aged
parents, and caused her to cast in her
lot with woman who two years ago was
total stranger to her.
All the principals in this remarkable
drama are Of the highest standing. No
social event created more of a ripple in
New York, Boston and Brooklyn circles
than the marriage of Mr. Nathan Apple
ton, of Boston, and Miss Jeannette
Ovington, of Brooklyn, The ceremony
was celebrated at tho homo OF the
brides uncle. Mr.. Theodore Il. Oyinp-
ton, OF Brooklyn, on November l6, 1887.
The best known society people of the
three cit es were st the wedding. Mr..
Appleton's family was known as one
OF the oldest and most exclusive in
Boston.
Miss Emma Thursby, the singer and
Intimate friend of the bride, was the
maid OF honor. Charles Longfollow. q
nephew OF the bridegroom and son of
the dead poet, Henry Wadsworth Long
fellow, was best man.
Two years later it began to be wbis-
pered that Mr.. and Mrs. Appleton were
not living happily together, and finally
it leaked out that they had agreed to
separate, tho husband making the wife
liberal allowance for her support
On her separation from her husband
Mrs. Appleton went to reside with her
Oldest and most intimate friend, Miss
Emma Thursby, who was then in the
height of her fame as singer. The in
t1macy continued for some time and the
two women were like shadows of each
other. But those relations were not
destined to continue. What tho cause
OF the rupture was is not certainly
known, but the friends of the lady who
is now said to be under Mrs Appleton's
charm" assert that it was due to dis
agreement over money matters. Atany
rate Mrs. Appleton abruptly lsft the
friend OF her girlhood.
About eighteen months ago Mrs. APP
pleton made the acquaintance OF the
family OF Col. Ii. G. Parsons, of Natural
Bridge, Va. Colonel Parsons is the
owner Of the natural bridge which spans
Cedar creek at a height Of 200 feet and
is one OF tho wonders of America. Col
onel Parsons not only belongs to ono of
the oldest OF Virginia's families, but his
wealth 10 said to be very large. He has
beautiful home in the vicinity of the
bridge and is particularly proud in the
| possession of three lovely daughters
Perhaps the fairest OF these girls is
talkative, who is now living at No 10
East Twenty eighth street with Mrs.
Jeannette Appleton. She is magnifi.
cent blonde, tall, stately, with many &C
compllshments, not tho least OF which
Is more than decided talent for draw
ing.
Mrs. Appleton is said from the very
| first to have had an influence over
Katharine, who was then in her twenty.
third gear. This, however. did not ap-
pear at the first for Mrs. Appleton and
Colonel Parsons became interested in
| scheme to circulate elaborate photo.
graphs of the Natural Bridge. Mrs
| Appleton is noted as one of the most
expert amateur photographers in the
! country. She agreed to make tho pho
! tographs of the bridge, the profits de-
rived from the sale of which wore to BIZ
equally shared by herself and Colonel
Appleton.
The partnership did not prosper as
was expected. There were also disa
greements about the money which was
realized. The enterprise finally culmi-
| mated in row, in the course of which
| Mrs. Appleton made charges against
| Colonel Parsons. Whatever the merits
Of the affair were, it is certain that a
breach OF wide proportions was wrought
| in tho friendly relations OF Mrs. Apple
| ton and Colonel Parsons and his family
with the single exception of Miss
Katharine, who, to tho astonishment Of
her father, left his house and took up
her residence with Mrs. Appleton.
| Com mands, entreaties, the prayers Of
her friends and sisters, the attractions
| of an elegant and refined home were
alike UNDECIDED by the young lady. She
told her father that Mrs Appleton was
her dearest friend. Not long after the
family quarrel Mrs. Appleton and Miss
Katharine suddenly went to Paris, where
they remained until the early part Of
the present year. They returned laden
down with costly bric-a-brac magnifi.
| cent clothes and d German maid, who,
when Mrs. Appleton was not at hand,
| attended Miss Parsons