The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-22
BRIDLED AS YOU WAIT
The Clapsadle-Estabrook Suit
Ended by Sudden Marriage.
EVEN THE ATTORNEYS SHOCKED
Va Ncvv Jury lava $50. 900 Heart
Clerk Gordon's New Bond Filed
With the County Auditor.
EVEN THE ATTORNEYS SHOCKED

an the name OF heaven. what do you
.fnrsose our clients have doneZ They have
gone and got married
Tbfs startling Information was conveyed
by r. J. Huston to ". x. Gay and VIII
n ThompS0n. Of counsel for the adverse
naYties In the celebrated case Of Clap
saa,e vs.. Estabrook, the ancient wooers
~ woo6nyflIe. The attorneys had with
drawn Tor few moments 20 Judge Os-
harms chambers 10 enjoy themselves until
the court should call the case, which
s.~onlised 10 bring forth a long and inter-
estiug trial. ar. Gay and DIR. Thompson
were not only shocked: they were tnun-
derrtruck The latter was the first TO re-
cover He arose slowly. extended his right
hand. and said:
cay. I have important business al my
Office. You can manage this case proper
~. Coodby," and he was off like fash.
The famous breach OF promise suit OF
Mary T. Clapaadle VS.. Charles w. Esia-
brook has been before the public since
the latter part OF 1891. when the first story
OF the caperlngs of the aged couple were
narrated 70 the wondering world. 1t was
then that Mrs. Ciapsadie brought her
breach OF promise suit. asking $4,000 as
the balm for her shattered affections
This action came 10 a sudden end on the
last day Of December. and afterward IL de-
yeloped that Rev. Alfred GRUMPY, OF Both
ell had succeeded in effecting a compro-
mise. by which Mrs. ciapsadle agreed 20
drop the proceedings and Estabrook 20
marry her on demand. a few days later,
the story goes. Charles" as the middle
aged sutton was Familiarity called. was
asked 10 make good his promise. He as
sented. saying to his future bride:
Il am going down TO Seattle right away
10 get the marriage papers; but / will
need s."
Mrs. Clapsadie did not have that sum
at her command. Nevertheless she pro-
duced s1.50. and Charles" started on his
mission big with the happiness OF two
lives The expectant Mrs. Clapsadle wait
ed three days. and then she received a
dolefpl message announcing that
Charles had been TO this city had called
a. the auditors Office. but had not the
courage to ask for the license. Inclosed
was the $3.50 and the comforting advice
that since he could not marry her the
best thing 10 do was to be a good Chris
tan and live holy in the sight OF the Lord.
But Mrs. Clapsadle was not to be cast
of in this manner. She again applied 10
her attorneys. and another suit for breach
OF promise was begun on the renewed en-
gagement, and yesterday when she ap-
peared in court her attorneys were pre-
pared 10 prove that n Lrly five years ago
EstabroOk had courted her so zealously
that he had solicited friends To help him
attack the citadel of her heart: that after
long struggle she had given her consent
to an engagement: that "Cf aries'' had
straightaway begun to build a house suit
cd TO her condition in life, and that the
couple together had planted apple and
prane trees about the yard OF their new
residence that the trees had prospered,
and now were loaded with an abundance
OF apples and prunes; that the hard times
had interfered with the aged bachelors
Intentions, and by cramping him so that
he could not easily complete the house
had at last wrought such an influence that
he would fain repudiate his lady love. 1t
was clear case OF hope deferred.
Yesterday IL happened that when the
parties appeared at the courthouse Judge
Osborn was engaged with another case,
and informed them he would not be ready
10 proceed until II o'clock. In the mean
time the attorneys went into the private
Office. ana Mrs clapsadle and Mr. Esta-
brook. with their trains OF numerous wit
nesses, struggled up and down the hall
ways One OF the witnesses for Mrs. Clap
sadie was Rev. Mr.. GRUMPY who once be-
Tore had brought about a truce; and the
minister was active yesterday. lie spoke
word or two to the widow, then APP
preached the bachelor; and before the
spectators knew what was going on the
ITO were on their way down the stairs
The woman went willingly. but The man
hung back but finally went in followed nv
the minister. \ few minutes later the two
feappeared, and Mr.. Crumly had the knot
tied before the door of the office could
close behind them-even before the ink on
the marriage certificate was dry. II was
me quickest action on record.
The widow was radiant. Her ewes
heamed, her face was flushed and her
Nhoie demeanor suggested the virgin
bride Of the springtime of life She had
deokea herself out in n handsome dress OF
back silk, with n gay bodice and looked
smiling and happy. She took her hus-
Wand. hers at last up the stairs. and tri-
umphantly sent the news I'm to the attor-
hrys Then. after wedding trim down
Through the King county tau. By courtesy
OF Jaller Hurkman. the couple left behind
them the courthouse and the breach OF
promise suit and started FOR their home
In WoodlnviHe.
Mr- Cay was now left 10 his own re-
sources. lie smiled 20 himself. looked at
me ceiling ana then a The floor. and after
me hrst ft ~ astouishment had died away
"a reflection. he drew himself together
and evolved tho following:
This cause having been settled nv tho
Iar''es out OF court. without assistance
from iheir learned counsel. and by daily
'RJefm3rrEiug with each other. ard Il uot
appearing that % trial without the pres
e',e Of tho parties woul3 he desirable.
s1li eaus" IS Row dismissed bv the plain
VIZ. ihH 3efcnd9r. concurting"
Ana r'ia' rs the end 70 the famous Clap
SAL" breach az promise case
Those i1 a position IN know saw the new
" married pair VIII Doe prospevouS anrt
u'll1- Ms Es'ahrook before she went
20 No'alHylile. successfully managed n