The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-19
A PRINCE IN THIS SCANDAL.
Washington society Agitated by an
Anonymous Letter-Wrfter.


Washington. April 12.-SOcieiy circles
continue to be agitated over the whole
sale anonymous letter-writing scandal.
which is being investigated by the local
authorities. The most admired women in
Washington society have received anony-
nous letters about themselves and about
Prince Nturbide of Mexico. a well-knOwn
member Of the Metropolitan Club and one
OF the lights Of the ultra-fashiOnabi be so
ciety OF the capital These letters have
been a suppressed volcano in society here
for several weeks. The scandal, however.
has grown in such a ma gnitude that some
Of the persons most seriously affected
when seen thought 1t was better to have
the facts presented as they are rather
than 10 allow an increase of the extra
ordinary rumors.
Mexican emperor of the same name.
His mother was a Miss Green of George
town, a sister Of the late Lola Green, Of
well-known Washington family. Among
the ladies who received the anonymous
letters are Mrs. Henry May, Mrs ;. H.
Rowland, Mrs. WalcOtt and Mrs. Hutch
ings. The contents of the letters were
not identical In some the writer made
an attack upon the character OF the
person addressed. in others the prince
stories told about him, and in others the
writer demanded that money be sent 10
the prince. threatening that otherwise ne
would disclose things embarrassing 10 the
When asked for an explanation, Prince
Yturbde denied Indignantly that ne knew
anything about the letters. He declared
that he had no control over them ana
intimated that they were sent in revenge,
and that 1t was a plot to ruin him.
One of the sufferers-in fact, the great
est sufferer in the whole AFFAIRS Miss
May Williams, a very beautiful woman,
a belle in society, and the daughter or
Gen. Williams, former resident OF New
London. Conn. Some time ago the FRINGE
fell in love with Miss Williams, who is
an heiress, and became suitor for her
hand. Her parents opposed the engage
ment because the prince had not the means
to support a wife No charge involving
the princes personal character has been
made.
The prince used every power of per-
suasion to induce her to see him once
more. Finally, assuring her by note that
he had a most important explanation 10
make, he succeeded in obtaining the COW
eted permission TO call No sooner did he
catch sight of the young lady than he
at once, in the most excited manner, again
proposed marriage, and insisted that she
should hearken to his pleading. She re-
piled that the chapter was closed between
them; that she knew the wisdom Of her
parents opposition to a marriage between
them, and that she should prefer not to
have it mentioned again.
This enraged the prince so that he lost
command of himself. The young lady
says he put his hand in his hip pocket
and was so threatening that she called in
The husbands of the maligned women
subsequently called upon the prince for
an explanation of the scandalous letters
and to them he declared himself a victim
and martyr. Then the delegation called
at the young lady's residence. The result
of that interview was to establish firmly
in the masculine minds the fact that ~
ing was going on somewhere. She had
herself been the recipient of various anon
ymous letters connecting her name and
that of the prince in manner that was
to the last degree repulsiVe to any wo-
man of refinement.
Then it was decided to put the matter
into the hands of the law.
For the matrons, Judge jeremiah VIII
son was engaged. Calderon Carlisle ant
Woodbury. Blair have been engaged by
the young lady to protect her good name.
Suit will be brought by the lawyers
against Prince Yturbide for blackmaii
and the case promises to bring to light
some surprising revelations. Some of tine
gentlemen who have been Investigating
the matter have been inclined to think
that an old enemy of the prince is taking
this means of obtaining revenge,