The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-31

CHICAGO, May 29.-ISpecial. l-Reasons why
old man Culbertson, the father of Blanche Cul.
bertson, who resides at 594 Division-st.. put
codiol to his will disinherit.
ing the girl if she married Leigh
French, an alleged medical student Of Mime
sDolis. had just been discovered. II is evident
from Mr.. Culber,son's actions that he was
thoroughly acquainted with at least q portion
of Mr.. FTenoh's maladorous record.
Such a record very seldom falls to the lot of
one individual in a life time. Much Of tho
gsmor which has been thrown over what
appeared 10 be romantic story,
reduced and stripped OF oil trim.
mings and decorations. the narrative
resolves itself 10 one in which foolish heiresa
became possessed of a strong infatuation for a
crook. confidence man and seducer Of women.
For years Leigh French has Ostensibly
been a circus fakir when he has
not been occupied with the duties
incumbent upon a medical or law student and
when he has not been otherwise engaged in
ways that are dark and devious.
lie comes Of a very good family. noted foI
its wealth and social influence in Min
neapolis. His father is a retired physi-
clan. French has one sister who fills q
niche in the social world in Minneapolis. Leigh
graduated IRON college and before entering
upon a course of medical studies he was sent
by his father 10 travel through this country,
having been instructed to join his father
at the centennial Leigh got as far as
ST. Louis where he met railroad conductor
named Fred Miller. aud he was by him intro
dueed 10 the latter's fifteen year-old daughter.
with whom he eloped 10 Ashland, Wis, where
the couple we're married. The young
girl is described rs being very
beautiful and when an addition was promised
to the French household Leigh packed up hiG
things aud returned to his father.
year or two alter this young French waa
heard Of in Paducah, KY, where be met and
ruined a young girl named Louise Potter,
who was relative OF a senator OF that state,
had accomplished his purpose. he left for paris
unknown and IN 1852 he bobbed up in Evans.
ville Ind. where he cecame frequent attend
ant on l0-cent circus, known as
Shields & Monroe's show. BE met
Mrs: Nellie Monroe, the wife of one
of the proprietors Of the circus. Mrs. Monroe
was formerly Miss CAtlin OF Clinton. Is., and
her sister had been married 20 the other pro-
prietor of the show. John Shields. The latter
is still living, and is conducting Shields great
American show the road at the present
day. French was q goodlooking fellow
and Mrs. Monroe was duly blessed with her
share OF female beauty, the result being that
/ both fell desperately in love with each other.
Shortly after their acquaintance Monroe
was taken suddenly al and he died
rather suddenly in bis dress
/ ing-room. The bereaved widow went right on
with the show ii nothing had happened.
/ Poor Billy Monroe was duly buried
and French at once took his
! place. Ii was given out thAt
the couple was married. When his show
reached St Louis French came face to face
with Mr. Potter. the father of the Psducah girl.
Leigh was arrested. but his father once more
came TO the front and squared the matter, when
he received a promise from bis son
that he would leave Nell Monroe. lie seems 10
have been IN earnest about this step and
Nell 10 emphasize her objection TO it.
pulled a revolver and fired a shot al
him. which, however, did not take eff
feet Leigh entered a law school and
studied just long enough 10 get another good
bit OF his fathers money, and in g few months
returned to Nellie. She sold him one-hslf of
the circus, as she had previously bought out
John Shields. Among the per-
formers of the company at that time
time was Millie Merretta and 10 Zemors, Mex.s
can trapezs performers. snd Leigh could not
resist the tenn ptaton of falling in love with the
pretty Mexican. Nellie Monroe was not slow
in understanding the condition of affairs. and
the records of the police courts at Mem
phis Tenn, on Aug. rs. 1885, 60 TO show
that Nellie Monroe and Mile Merretta were
arrested while engaged in a fist fight for the af-
fections of Leigh French. Both women drew
knives aud the Merretta woman was slightly
cut Monroe. about this time, made up her
mind 10 square accounts with French for the
Merrata trick, so she ran away with Ruley.
French followed them and located the pair
al prominent hotel in Kansas City. At the
meeting tine interest was kept alive by both men
drawing revolvers and exchanging = few
shots Ruley being bit in the leg French took
his half of the show and Nell Monroe sold out
her half to Burr Robbins of Chicago. Later
French started for Europe. Nellie Monroe
also sailed, as she said for the purpose of obs
tanning Ladies" for bicycle tournaments to bs
given in tho leading cities of this country. The
coincidence continued TO do business az
the the old stand. for when French re-
turned she was in same ship
Nellie had six-pound box Of
cigarettes presented to her in England. and
when the custom officers inspected the
state room they were invited to
help themselves Had they been or.
dinarily bright they would have
found q silver faro box st the bottom OF ciga
retts package. This box had been made in
Germany and it was made for the purpose Of
dealing crooked faro. Rulsy turned il over to
"Bunk" Allen and the box was used 81 $3.50
Lake-ave.
After Leigh French arrived in this country
he had another stormy session with his father,
who had found out his sons renewal Of
friendship for the Monroe woman. Leigh
promised 10 never see her again
aud TO take up the study OF medicine,
1t is not a matter of surprise, consequently
that old Mr. Culberlson should disinherit his
daughter il she did not relinquish her ideas Of
marrying Leigh French, circus fakir, conf
dence man and professional lbertine.