The herald., 1895-01-01
BOTH PARTIES WEALTHY.
One of the Strangest Cases on
Record.
Morton RslAtsd to the Governor Of New
York-Tho Woman the Daugh-
ter of = wealthy
Chicagoan.

4 Special to the HERALD.
San FRANCISCO, Dec. 31.-An Exam
ner OhicrHo special says: Elsie Grace
Morton today secured . divorce in the
superior court from Edward Henry Nor
ton, to whom she was secretly married
at indianapolis three years ago. The
case was heard by Judge Windes, and
the charge made by the wife against her
husband was desertion. The wife testi-
fed that she lived with Morton but two
weeks. when he left her and went to
Europe. Morton is now in business at
Los Angeles. Gal. Such is a brief record
OF divorce quietly obtained in q way
tAat is "wild and wooly," even for this
Mecca of easy separations. In some
mysterious way. that nobody seems to
understand. and on grounds evidently
cooked up to cover the actual facts, the
divorce was obtained. 1t 10 Q curious
story.
THE SECRET MARRIAGE.
The complainant is the daughter OF q
lumber merchant named Charles Paul,
who with his family came here from
Kentucky little over two years ago.
Morton, who now resides in Los An
geles. comes from one of the wealthiest
families of the south and is related to
New York's governor. While visiting in
Petbsky. Mich, he met Elsie Paul and
loved her. The parents of the girl
were opposed to the match because, like
all rich meu's sons. Edward was said to
be rapid. In October. 1892, they met
again in Indianapolis and Morton in.
duced the girl to marry him. They
were welded a. Grace Paul and Henry
Morton. so that society was none the
wises when the marriage license was
read. ,--S
After the ceremony, the young wife
came home to Chicsgo and Morton re-
turned to his home. Two weeks later
he came to see his wife and Charles
Paal was furious. Mrs. Paul and Mrs.
Morton met, and tried to arrange the
matter amicsbly. but to no purpose.
Mrs. Morton took her boy away for .
tour of the world and Mrs. Paul took
Elsie away for her health.
PECULIAR LETTER.
On returning from Europe young
Morton was served with divorce papers
and wrote q long letter to his friend,
Attorney Morse. Though it begins
Dear Ed." the attorney swears he does
not know anything about Morton, but
only went into the case to oppose any
alimony and solicitors fees. The letter
is dated from Seattle, and among other
things says:
Can you not do this thing quietly. so
that the papers will not get hold of it?
If it is published it will be sent to Los
Angeles and Seattle, and my future will
be ruined. came west and have made
a name and many friends here I want
divorce if it can be done quietly. 1
regret my trip to Petoskey. for l have
paid dearly for it. Do what you can for
me in arranging matters quietly"
THE wIFE's STORY.
Elsie told the court she loved her hus.
band and knew not why he left her. In
one sentence she said he was loving and
kind the two weeks they were together,
and in the next she said he was harsh
and cruel.
Mrs. Paul WAS also in the dark, but
stated that young Morton was afraid Of
her husband.
Attorney Morse stated 1t was one Of
the strsngest csses he had ever known
OF. Morton wanted q divorce, but vhv
he did mot know. As soon a. the de.
cree was entered, Mrs. Paul took her
daughter and starred on . trip to Cali
fornia.