The morning call., 1894-12-17
TWO WIDOWS, ONE WHOEVER
They Dwell in His House and
Refuse to Depart.
HE is SEVENTY YEARS OF AGE.
The Women Assert That He Deceived
Them-He Resorts to Strategy and
Violence and Is Arrested.


Samuel on the subject of widows is un-
known. or If known. Is unheeded by Mr..
Charles Scaulan of 81 Filbert street. who
now occupies cell in the old city prison
and will appear in the Police Court this
morning to answer charge of threats to
kill. Widows have been the spring Of
woes unnumbered in the life of the pris-
oner.
Seaman is 70 years old and is employed
as solicitor by life insurance companies.
He is portly man, fond of dress, fond of
his whiskers and alas too fond Of widows.
Four years ago the aged solicitor met a
Mrs. Hanley. who had just arrived from
London and obtained a position In the
family OF a prominent citizen. He had just
buried his second wife, who was widow
when he married her, and who left him
the home ON Filbert street. He courted
Mrs. Hanley ardently and gained her af-
lection and some $500 which she had laid
by for the inevitable rainy day.
When the Midwinter Fair opened he
erected building near the grounds in
which he proposed 10 open a hotel and
saloon. This building was burned in Feb
ruary last. and Mrs. Hanley, grown weary
of waiting for wedlock, clamored for her
money. The aged one soothed her as best
him in the dwelling on Hilbert street.
promising at the same time to marry her
at the end Of Lent. Mrs. Hauley, whose
faith in her venerable lovor was of
sturdy growth, went with him to the
house on Filbert street ana was duly in
stalled. He had given her notes for the
money she loaned him and had promised
to make her his heir. so that she would be
nrovided for if death cut short his widow
checkered career.
Some two or three months before the
fair opened Seaman was basklng iD the
sunlight on he granite steps Of the Croker
building when his amOrOus eyes fell upon
a buxom woman who was passing by. &c
spoke TO her and learned that she had just
come from Grand Rapids, Mich, town
in which he had spent some OF his earlier
years, ard learned that she was widow
named Kate Mccarthy. She was glad to
meet one Tho had known some of her old
aequaintances. and graciously accepted an
invitation TO 60 to theater with the genial
old gen tleman.
Day after day he visited her, aud ere
long declared his love. Widow Mccarthy
bluS hngly confessed that she reciprocated
his affection and they were engaged. Scan
Ian wisely refrainlng from saying any
thing about the other widow.
Mrs. Mccarthy had $500 which she says
she loaned him when he built the house
that was burned. After the fire Seaman
in vited her to live in his house on Filbert
street, promising to marry her when the
happy springtime came. She accepted the
invitation and went with him to the dwell
ing In which he had installed the other
widow as housekeeper Scaulan showed
her the front rooms, but like the lamented
Fatima. she burned with curiosity to see
what was contained in an apartment that
was not opened to her inspection.
"That" he said, that is Mrs. Hanley's
rOEnA She W nv yyife's daa friend and
now collects rent for me and looks after
the house" This was satisfactory 20 Mrs.
Mccarthy, who was subsequently intro
dueed TO Mrs. Hanley as the daughter of
one of Scanlan's old friends in Mich igan.
He told widow No. that widow No. 2
would be his guest for time. and enioined
her to make the lady as comfortable as
possible.
Side by side the widows reposed on a
couch In the front room. grateful in their
hearts TO the kindly old man who had
given them shelter. Three days they
morning of the fourth the widow Hanlev
discernef a cloud on the fair brow of the
widow Mccarthy and went to Seaman for
an explanation. 'She has received bad
news from the East and is troubled" he
said. Moved with sympathy for her CON-
panion. Mrs. Hanley sought the side of
Mrs. Mccarthy and expressed her con-
dolence.
II have not received bad news from
the East" said Mrs. Mccarthy in icy
tones, my trouble is all here
do you refer to me, ma'am" said
Mrs. Hanley.
81 LIDO. have just read a letter found
in Charles trunk Charley was the aged
Scanlan). in which l read that he is en-
gagged to you"
'He is engaged to me-" said Mrs. Han
ley.
He is also engaged to me-" said Mrs.
Mccarthy.
Here are my letters to prove it," said
Mrs. Hanley. bringing forth package of
bilets and placing them on the table.
And here are mine," said Mrs. McCar-
thy. as she produced a package.
Together they went to Seaman, and in
words that burned and siZzled as they sped
to his ears accused him of perfidy and de-
ceit. He at first denied the truth of their
accusations, but finally broke GOWN and
tried to make peace between them.
"GIve me back my $500 and l will leave
the house." said the Widow Mccarthy.
Give me back my $500 and will 60
with her," said the Widow Haney.
Seaman made answer that he had no
money. and they declared that they would
not leave the building until he had can
eeled bis Indebtedness to them. And hey
did not leave; they are still in the house
at 811 Filbert street. and refuse to go.
The widows formed holy alliance and
held the two front rooms, while Seaman
lived in the rear. Mrs. Hanley still
played the part of housekeeper. but shared
everything with her companion in afflc-
ton. Seaman hurt his ankle and was
confined to his bed. Mrs. Hanley at
tended him, and she says that while thus
occupied she learned that he was cor
res bonding with other women.
"One day, while | was a-poulticing of
his Leg" she said while telling her story
yesterday. che had the audacity 10 be
writing to another widow, woman who
lives on Polk street. l got that letter
from the messenger to whom he gave 1t,
opened it and took it with my own letters
to the woman on Polk street; and will YOU
believe me-? she was mad because Iopened
it Then l found that he was writing to
girl at Lakeport young enough to be his
grea,-granddaughter and asking her for
sympathy and affection"
The widows sued Seaman for the re-
covery of their money two or three months
ago, and subsequently, had him arrested
for perjury. The suit is still pending in
the Superior Court. but the charge of per-
jury was dismissed.
Since they had him arrested the widows
say Seaman has crowded their lives with
excl ement. He has sent agents to collect
4. l. IL