Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-03-05
BLAINE.s DEFENSE.


Mr.. Blaine Writes Letter In Defense o
His Bon-Hs Reviews tho Divorce Case.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. e9.-Secrctary Of
State James @. Blaine furnished to thu
associated press yesterday for publica-
ton recital of tho facts Of his sons
marriage and its consequences under
the heading: "a Personal Statement
He says:
"Since the separation Of my son and
his wife three q 1d q half years ago my
family have silently borne every mis-
representation, every slanderous at
tack, every newspaper interview which
1t has pleased the now divorced wife to
inspire. The one person aimed ut has
been Mrs. Blaine and we have perhaps
been at fault in allowing horror OF
the public discussion Of private mat
ters combined with regard for
the future of my grandson to
permit SO much calumny to 60 unan-
swered. The last outrage Of the kind
embodied in the decision Of the judge
ut Deadwood, Oak, assumes IN official
character which makes II impossible to
remain longer silent To remain silent
would be to accept and perpetuate a
great wrong TO my wife-a greater
wrong to my grandson than even
publication of the truth can inflict up
on him. 1t is necessary In speaking
that I should give q summary, as brief
as possible, of the marriage and the in
cidents which followed and led to the
separation"
A letter which Ne addressed to Rev.
Thomas L Ducey at tho time OF the
marriage states the important facts
bearing upon that event
Mr.. Blaine then goes on to say:
"When wrote this letter believed
that Miss Nevins had no other respon.
sibility in the marriage than in con-
senting to my sons appeal and was
blameworthy for this alone. Since
then I am prepared to say that the
marriage was arranged by her
Jar more than by my son; that
he did everything to promote
I; suggested every arrangement;
anticipated and provided for every
emergency and that in fact but for
her personal, active and untiring agency
the marriage would never have taken
place. In this she showed knowledge
and forethought not to be expected Of
woman of 81 years Within ton days
after her arrival in Augusta, within
one week from the day she first met
my son she was adjuring him thus for
several days: "Write nothing until I
see you. Let me know at once about
the law (of marriage). can't wait to
hear. 1t makes me i'll Can you come
to me q moment? Am alone. Do not
send up your card Did you see the
laws. Do not keep up the suspense.
The Bar Harbor house is perfect, but
love the dear old place here better
Don't ask any questions that may
lead people to suspect anything, Re-
member that we are in mouths Of every
man, woman and child in Augusta.
Every word you speak is repeated and
misconstrued. Every look of yours,
every flush Of your face is talked Of.
Look into the laws only tomorrow and
perhaps one question at the bank
(where he obtained the money for his
marriage journey on my account by in
ducing the cashier to advance him
funds ON his memorandum, thing he
had never learned to do before he met
Miss Nevins)."
"When they reached New York,
after they had fed from Augusta, she
cautioned my son not to forget the $50
gold piece in q little box for Ducey,'
and look in his pocket Of his gray
clothes for the ring. In short she
took charge of every matter and d.
rected the proceeding to the last min.
ute. It was thus that boy Of seven
teen years and ten months, in some
respects inexperienced even for his
age, was tempted from his school
books and led to the altar by q young
woman Of full twenty-one years. with
entire secrecy contrived by herself and
with all the instrumentalities Of her
device complete and exact"
Next follows q defense Of his wife
from imputations made upon her con-
duct, and the fact Of his daughter-in-
law leaving.
"Just forty-four days after this will
full departure she returned to my house
accompanied by her mother, Mrs Ne
wins, my grandson and his nurse. At
the moment Of their arrival there were
in the house only Mrs BIains, who was
I'll, and the servants Mrs Blaine at
once arose, dressed and went down
stairs, having previously instructed her
maid to do everything required for
their comfort This was the only time
she ever met MrA NevinS Neither
lady advanced to greet her. No hand
was extended to her, but from Mrs
Nevins, seconded by her daughter,
came charges against her son and her
self, so insulting and 30 violent that
servant was called in for the frankly
- anktnR q