Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-01-16
Scandal and Suicide.
SEQUEL TO THE REICHEL d.
voRCE SUIT AT MACON, MO.
HUSBAND KILLS
HIMSELF.
Miss Virginia Cromwell, Formerly
of Mexico, Mo, the Wife of
Reichel-She Was the
Cause of the
Suicide.
Scandal and Suicide.

MACON, NO., Jan. 9.-As the SEQUEL
to a suit for divorce against his wife
George p. Reichel, a prominent bust
ness man of this city, this morning
cut his threat. Reichel had instituted
a suit against his wife, Virginia, for a
divorce on the charge of adultery.
Mr.. Reichel was a furniture dealer,
prominently connected and stood
high. His wife was formerly Miss
Virginia Cromwell, who once lived in
Mexico, Mo-, daughter of Col. Richard
Cromwell, who was once proprietor
of the Central Hotel in Mexico, now
one of the most highly esteemed citi-
zens of Macon. Mrs. Reichel has
been a leading member of the Chris
tian Church and a regular attendant
in the choir.
George Reichei and Virginia Crom-
well were married in September, 1884.
They have n son, Roy, and the
father asked that he be placed under
his control. MIR. Reichel's business
sold and leased bicycles. Mrs. Reichel
is a fine-looking woman. In COM
pany with her husband she learned to
ride bicycles, and soon became a
graceful rider and highly enjoyed the
wheel exercise. Hugh Willis was an
employee in the Reichel establishment.
He is only about II years old, but a
champion and the victor in many BIZ
cycle races.
He now resides at Bowling Green,
Mo-, where his father is station agent.
Mrs. Reichel, it is said, would ride up
to the store and ask her husband to
go riding with her. He often was
too busy and then she would ask her
husband to let Hugh go, as she want
ed to take a little trip into the coun-
try. To please his vile Mr.. Reichel
would let Hugh off from the store to
accompany her. 1t was these fire.
quent trips that caused the gossip
and which finally led to the suit for
divorce. Recently Reichel has not
lived with his wife.
Yesterday he called at the house
where his wife lives to see the boy,
but it is stated that he was refused
the privilege. He was informed that
his wife vas going to Kansas last
night and take the boy. BE wanted
his wife to take him back, but she de-
clinsd. Then he went to his attorney
n late last night Mr.. Reichel filed
his ivorc suit. He states she per-
suaded him in 1905 to deed her all his
property and in the beIief sne would
love him again he did SO, and alleges
that at the time the deed was made
he was not of sound mind and he
was under her influence and she
coerced him to deed it to him. He
charges that shs had him declared
and sepc to Fulton. He re-.
from te asylum last July, and /,
in Novemberne was restored to con- {
troll of his noperty by order of the {
court. Is
The petition states that plaintiff &C.
opened a letter from a ,
young man named Hugh Willis, of !
Bowllg Green, to his wife, and found !,
languge therein which convinced !
his w1fe's infidelity. In the =
Ietfr, as set forth in the petition, &C. i
cufs the following: =
T'My Dear Pet: Next spring there 1
g1ll be a good chance to get a job in G
IT. Louis; as soon as l can raise a few s
l will send for you and we will Il
ave a good time together-a real :.
east and wine supper" .
Mrs. Reichel was served with no. =
ice of the suit at a late hour last !.
light. The case will be tried in April. q
Last night ReicheI was at the resi- =
Ience of his mother and brother-in- l,
aw, John Eldridge. They were watch !
ng him, as they feared he would do O.
omething desperate. At 1890 O'Clock G
ir. Reichel got up and went to the c
itchen. Turning around he looked y
{ Mr.. Eldridge and drew his finger .
his throat. Before Eldridge
ould reach him Reichel grabbed the ~
utcher-knife from the table and cut d
Is own throat, severing the wind p
ipe. He cannot live.