The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-28
A BAD MESS ALL AROUND.
Ex-senator Harnesses Wife EIopes
with Her Old 81. Louis Flame.

KOKOMO. Feb. 23.-Special-A social
sensation. which stirred this town TO
its depth a year ago. has been revived
by the telegraphed advice from Chicago
and st. Louis announcing the elopement
OF the wife of ex-State Senator b. r.
Harness OF this place with Harry i.
Richardson of St. Louis.
Richardson is the travelling represent
alive of the Richmond manufacturing
company of Lockport. y. Y He has
wife and daughter in St. Louis. Just
one year ago Mrs. Richardson found
compromising letter in her husbands
pocket. which she traced To the wife
Of ex-senator Harness in this city. Mrs
Harness was very gay and cut quite
swell at the state capital four years
ago, but this was the first time she
had ever been openly charged with mis-
conduct.
The st. Louis wife secured evidence TO
prove that Mrs. Harness had made a
midwinter trip to Niagara falls I'm
company with her husband and had
bdan in many other ways indiscreet
with him. She secured the law firm of
Elliott & Overton in this city to bring
action for alienation of affections. with
damages. but an investigation showed
that Mrs. HARNESS. property was so
tied up that judgment against her
would be worthless. She then cOntented
herself with an action for divorce. She
was granted a decree in st. Louis last
August. Richardson not appearing TO
fight it.
Two months later a reconciliation was
effected through the little daughter,
much after the fashion of the last act in
The Bankers Daughter" 1t was not
lasting, however, as subsequent develop
ments proved.
In the meantime ex-senator Harness
had forgiven his wife, and, driven from
his former home by the exposure. they
took Up their home in Chicago. Harness
had been one Of the foremost members
Of the bar I'm the state, but in Chicago
he engaged in some business in connec-
ton with an electric belt and truss COM
pany His wife remained with him until
two weeks ago, when word was received
here that they were separated.
II was not until today, however. that
the true story was told in a st. Louis
telegram, showing that Richardson had
deserted his wife and flown with his old
flame, Mrs. Harness.
The ex-senator was we'll known
throughout the state, as was his giddy
and hayward wife She was a woman
rather plain in features, but a stylish
dresser, an entertaining talker and
woman WHO ndu IalenI IOG BellluR
along with men. Richardson was
known among travelling men
as a high roller and a ladies' man. He
leaves his wife and child utterly desti-
tute.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23.-The evidence
that Mrs. Harness is a partner in Rich
ardson's flight is accepted conclusive
by his former associates.
Within a week after Richardson's de-
parture a registered letter was received
at the Laclede hotel directed to Mrs
Harness Several days a.fterWard the
management of the Laclede hotel re-
ceived letter from Senator Harness
requesting that the registered letter.
supposed TO contain a remittance. should
be forwarded TO her at San Francisco.
This was done. The inference is that
she had notified her husband that she
had gone To the coast. Several letters
and kilograms have been lying at the
Laclede for Harry T.. Richardson, and
ii is said that his locked box at the
postoffice. 1856 is bulging with mail.
A Republic reporter visited Mrs. Rich
ardson at her home last night. She was
asked about the absence of her husband,
but she declined to discuss it more than
to say that his departure was due to
business affairs.
She said that he had gone with her
knowledge. When asked if he cores
pended with her. she replied that she
had heard from him" When asked if
she had any reason to connect his alb
sence with the companionship of Mrs.
Harness, she expressed herself as posi-
tive that there was no truth in the
rumor. Her little daughter, Hazel, sat
by her mothers side during the inter-
view
Richardson's former friends and asso-
ciates are indignant at the treacherous
manner in which he has repaid the de-
Votion and forgiveness of his wife.
Her friends and relatives were nUch
put out at her remarriage. and predicted
that unhappy results would follow.
Richardson has, it is understood, left
her without means, and the unfortunate
mother and child are again dependent
upon friends.