Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-07
.ELOPED WITH A CHAPMAN
Sleepy Tarrytown Has a Big
 Society Sensation.
LEFT HER HUSBAND AND CHILD.

Wealthy and Fascinating Mrs. BanuSster. Whom All the Fashionable Young Men
 Admir- ed, Became Infatuated With an On-- scure Jehu and Finally Ran on With Him.
 TARRYTowN, N. Y, Jan. 7.-Whether 1t was in the nature of a retaliatory revolt against her husband or a case of irresisti- ble and irrepressible infatuation, placid Tarrytown hasn't yet discovered. The town is too engrossed in discussing the circumstances preceding and attending the elopement of wealthy, handsome and ac- complished young Mrs. William H. Ban mister and Hackman Thomas Christie to enter upon ethical and philosophical de- tails. It wasn't as if she had firmly made up her mind to abandon her husband and child and had to accept the shave headed hackman as a last resort. All Tarrytown's unmarried swelldom worshiped at her shrine and sounded her praises and eagerly awaited the invitation which was extend- ed to the humble and homely Christie alone.
 William H. Bannister, whose home has been desolated, is not unknown to the out side world. He is a resident of Nyack, di- rectly across the Hudson river from this place, and is tho son of Professor Bannis-
 
 He was conducting a lHcrativS law prac- tice six years ago when Miss Helen Van kuren came from Newburg to become a pupil in his fathers seminary. When Mrs. Bannister attained her majority she in herited by the will of her mother $25, 900 and several houses and farms, which made her fortune near S100. 900. About this time Mir. BanniSter became Senator Clar- ence Lexow's law partner, being the jun {. T x Bannister. A daughter, Natalie, was born, and the couples domestic life was. tranquil and happy.
 In Trouble at Coney Island.
 Mir Bannistor came to this city on Aug. 21 last and visited Concy Island. He was arrested that night and locked up in the West Brighton police station on charges seriously affecting his character. Although discharged tho next morning the affair resulted in the dissolution of the legal firm of which he was member, Mir Bannister retiring and the flight to this place of his wife and child.
 The wife and child took up a residence in tho Franklin hotel kept by Mrs. Alex ander and tho husband was informed that his visits would be acceptable only when brief and infrequcnt. And now fell the cascade of unexpected and coruScating happiness upon Mir. Thomas Christie Thomas up to this time in his hereto fore uneventful career had thoughts for the equine race alone. To be sure he had acquired local distinction for his skill in | clipping horses and in hanging their 1 tails but he had never been accused of be- | ing the fine and fascinating beau which | he became in Mrs Bannister's eyes. His travels had not extended far beyond the highway between his fathers livery stable l md tho railroad station and his Vr,b had never been known to soar beyond con ventiOnal Tarrytown heights.
 She Wanted Thomas Only. | They met week after Mrs Bannister arrived at the Franklin hotel It waS a beautiful day in september, and she tclo- phoned for a turnout and driver. Thomas, arrayed in spotlcss and resplendent livery, was assigned to do the driving by his fa- | theF Q truly good man. who has never for | given himself for the fatal command.
 Never thereafter in her daily drives about the surrounding country would Mrs. Bannister permit other than her | Thomas, as she was wont to speak of him, to accompany her. He was such | perfect horseman, sho contidod to friends, that he appealed strongly to her. | \ change in Thomas manner of dress 1 and general demcanor was soon disCerni- | ble It was noticed that his apparel was as stylish and as costly and varied as that l of the best dressed man in Tarrytown. But, strangcst of all. the coachman was allowing his hair, generally clipped as short as horse shears could cut it, to grow | in luxuriant abundance.
 This outward mctamorphosis might not have attracted suspicion if Thomas had not imbibcd too much red liquor one night and displayed new gold watch and bulky roll of bills, with the startling announcement that Mrs. Bannister had 1 presented them to him as a token of re- | gard and esteem. Meanwhile many of tho towns best connected young men paid de- voted court to the handsome Mrs Bannis- ter.
 The Climax Arrives.
 The climax Camo several days ago. Thomas and Mrs. Bannister pTocipitated it, and Mrs. Alexander had part Mrs. Bannister cried and Mrs. Alexander stormed Thomas left the hotel abruptly muttering something Mrs. Bannister was ordered to find other living quarters.
 When Father Christie looked for his