The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-20
ROOT Married IN HASTE
And Now His Better Half Objects ia
the Divorce Scheme.
WIDOW RUSSELL NO CHICKEN
She Does Not Propose TO Let a Good lius.
band Slip Away without an Effort
to Keep Ilim-Romance of
Nebraska.
By the United Press.

tne UHlteu l'TeSS.
Beatrice, Neb.. Feb. 19.--About ten
days ago Beatrice people and acquain-
tanceS of II. II. Root, real estate, loan
and insurance agent, We're surprised to
read in Omaha papers of his marriage.
on his return alone he denied having
been married, but admitted that he had
taken out Il license and afterward
changed his mind. Public curiosity
has again been aroused by the appear
ance in this city of a woman claiming
to bo Mrs. Il. II. Root, and SO she regis
tered at the hotel. After producing a
marriage certificate showing that the
two had been married in Omaha, Feb.
., last, by the rector of an Episcopal
parish she gave the following story:
81 became acquainted with Mr.. Root
about four months ago by letter through
a mutual friend. We correspondent
and finally agreed to meet in Omaha
where | was going to visit friends. That
was the first time we had ever met. He
came to Omaha the Sth, and we We're
married the following day in the par
lOrs of the parish of u rectOry. 1t was
then decided that | should return home,
pack my household goods and go to
Beatrice about the first of the month,
he stating that he desired to secure a
larger house than the one he was living
in with his two daughters. | had my
household effects packed when | re-
ceived letter from Mr.. Root which
caused me to come here at once. 1t
was a cruel letter, and In it he suggested
that we get divorced. | was dumb
founded and could not understand It,
Last night, when | and my S-year-old
daughter reached here, | was driven to
Mr.. Roots home. A young lady, who
/ presume was his daughter, came 10
the door and replied in the affirmative
when / inquired if T.. Y. Root lived
there, but said had mistaken the place
after | had introduced myself | then
returned to the hOtel.'
She was unsuccessful in seeing her
husband today, although he was at
home last evening. MIR. Root is one of
the best-known men in the city. He al
ways figured largely in politics. His
last of three wives died suddenly in
Chicago while attending the Worlds
fair. He has two handsome daughters,
for whom he holds in trust large
amount of property, but is not consld-
cred well-to-do himself. Mrs. Root is
still at the hotel, has secured an attor-
ney and says she will remain in the
city indefinitely. She says that she
was formerly the wife of banker
named Russell, to whom she was mar
ried at Alnamosa, Ia. Also that she
has lived in Sioux City, her present
home, for six years; that she was city
librarian there for two years and that
of late she has been keeping house for
her two sons, who are in business. She
is dressed stylishly, is about 40 years
old and claims to be unable to explain
her husbands conduct.
Roots Version of the Affair.
Mr.. Root gives the following version
of the affair: The story that | re-
fused to see this woman is false. ] was
not at home last night when she came
there and my daughter understood her
to inquire for my brother, c. NJ. Root.
They went to a ball and did not tell
me of her visit until this morning about
the time | had to take a train and go
to Wymore on important business.
This evening / called at the hotel inn
mediately on my return and together
with friend went to her room, where
just came from. The facts about our
meeting are these: About six weeks
ago she wrote me from Sioux City, but
did not say where she obtained my
name. She said she wanted to get mar
ried and thought / would suit her
answered the letter and later went to
Omaha at her request What followed
after that is like a dream to me. We
were married and after living two days
as man and wife she complained that
did not suit her. We then agreed to
part and | was to come home and she
was to go to her home in Sioux City,
and after awhile be divorced. This was
our perfect understanding and agree
ment I denied my marriage after re-
turning home for the reason that |
wanted for time to keep it from my
family. As to my future intentions re-
garding the matter | cannot say"