The evening times., 1896-09-03
CALLs.UP FAMOUS CASE.
Action Brought by Lily Alys
Godfrey in New York.
.ACKLEN-ROssER !, INCIDENT
The Plaintiff in the Present Suit
Was Once u Famous Society Belle
Here-She Was Beautiful, Gay AMI
AdventurOus-A Duel ON Her Ac-
count Barely Averted.

The action brought by Lilly Alys God
frey, of this city, against Stephen A. Dut
ton in New York city, for the alleget
forging Of letters To certain property Ii
Washington and Belfast, Me-, as told OF il
The Evening Times recently, again bring
before the public woman who was onc'
one OF the most Conspicuous characters a
The National Capital,
Miss Godfrey is still well known here
where she has resided nearly all her life
She is now something like fortyfive year
of age, though her most interesting episodes
took place two decades ago.
Twenty years ago Miss Mary Lillian Alyi
Godfrey, as sne was wont to style herself
was society leader among the Congress
sioEal and official set. She was very
beautiful, and dressed exquistely. At
receptions, in drawing rooms or bathrooms
Alys, as her intimate friends called her
was always adorned with prorusion OF
diamonds and brilliant gems, the gifts
OF statesmen and those high in the counsels
of the nation.
SHE WAS A REIGNING BELLE.
She was the gayest of the gay; fond of
excitement and late hours.
Half the Representatives in Congress
and nearly all the Senators Miss Godfrey
could address by their given names. She
was familiar figure about the Capitol,
and was always the center OF attraction.
Whether in the restaurant, reception room
or gallery. she was ever surrounded by n
group of soloDs who neglected their duties
to converse with this charming woman.
Congressman Benjamin Willis of New
York was brother in law of Miss Godfrey,
and this afforded her pa assport intJ inner
circles. Among those who basked in the
sunshine of her smile were Gen. J. L..
Rssser and Congressman j. Ii. Acklen Of
Louisiana.
Gen. Rosser was an ex Confederate Of
ficer, WHO had gained golden laurels IN
fighting for the lost cause. He was tall,
suaye, with n proud military bearing and u
commanding presence. .--4i..a.-..
Ackien represented the Third Louisiana
district. He was handsome and wealthy,
yet insolent and high spirited His family
had recovered a large indemnity from the
United States government for property
destroyed during the war. Upon this he
was fiourishing. Hclcarricd things with a
nigh hand. was l1vish and impressed with
the idea that whatcyer he sought to ac-
complish must be done, regardless OF conse
quences. +r,ss
The first session Of the Forth firth Con
gress was dra wing to a close 1t was on
the night of Tuesday June Is, 1878 when
Gen. Rosscr accompanied Miss Godfrey to
welcker's fashionable establishment, which
was the famous resort for society leaders
LIFELONG FRIENDS FOUGHT.
They engaged private dining room.
Acklen was there also with a lady friend.
Giasses clinked filled with ruby wIne
There We're edibles and drinkabies OF all
kinds, and everything went as gayly as
could be until the hours We're waxing late.
All the parties had imbibed freely and
were more or less under the influence of
liquor.
Gen. ROsser left the room on some pretensc
and was detained longer than ne antici-
pated. In few MON ents there came pierre
ing shrieks in familiar voice from the
room he had quilted.
The general rushed back and discovered
that it was Miss Godfrey who had cried out
Acklen was attempting liberties with the
young woman. Rosser paused moment.
Achlen was his friend. both were Southern
ers of good families and long lineage.
Then he attacked the Congressman and
fight ensued. There was broken furniture
smashed mirrors and shattered glass 40
one dared to separate the combatants.
Rosser was the more powerful and sue
ceeded in thrusting his antagonist, half
clad, into the street The incident cx-
cifa . ha
but the country at large.
Mary Lilly Alys Godfrey was the unwill-
ing heroine of the tragedy Both the prin-
cipals wanted to fight 1t out OF the duel
ground at Bladensburg, and long and ex.
citing scenes followed Friends finally
interceded. Acklen was sent to his honie
and Gen. Rosser went to fight Indians iu-
stead.
POSSESSES VALUABLE PROPERTY,
Miss Godfrey afterward married Il man
paned Belt from Baltimore, who was quite
wealthy. She separated from him and re-
sunIed her maiden name.
Again she went to live with him and was
lalcr divorced. He is at present said to d.
living in Baltimore, while OF late she has
resided at No. 2S7 West Seventeen street,
New York.
The property which she now accuses Dut-
ton of forging the title to she acquired from
Belt. 1t consists principally of the ground
and buildings at No. 17O6 Connecticut I'VE
nre, and at the corner of New Hampshire
avenue and T street northwest, and is said
to he worth $500
The records in the office of the recorder
OF deeds show that Miss Godfrey trans
ferred the property to Stephen A. Dutton on
April 1 last, for consideration much less
than that named.