The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-18
MAG0WAN'S SURPRISE.
The News of His Double Mar
rage Stirred Trenton.
Special 70 me Jsfysu cstv Nsaus.

TRENTON, Jan. Is, 1s97.-The an
nouncenaent that ex-Mayor Mcgowan and
Mrs. Barnes have been doubly married
created somewhat of a sensation in this
city in the face of the numerous con-
Trajectory rumors.
Quiet preparations have been going on
for several weeks at the big white CO.
lonial mansion on North Clinton avenue.
This led to the rumors that Mcgowan
and his wife and family were to be
reunited. Notwithstanding the am
nouncement that Barnes, the injured hus-
band, accepted $4,000 for the loss of his
wife's affections, there were many who
still believe that Mcgowan wou ulti-S
mately desert Mrs. Barnes
His recent visit to the home of his
former wife and children. who live in
the house adjoining the one which he
Mrs. Barnes are to occupy this
week, strengthened the suspicion of those
who were hoping for q reconciliation be-
cause of his children.
Ex-Mayor Mcgowan did all he could
to encourage these rumors so as to di-
vert attention from the surprise that
he was preparing for the public, not
only in the settlement Of his suit and
the announcement of his marriage, but
in his complete change of front in re-
gard to his finances, having confessed
judgment to his principal creditors.
Mcgowan once denied that he was
and he received their Oklahoma divorce.
There Were many that did not believe
his denial, because he had his mansion
full of servants and his new carriage
and coachman were at the station to
drive the new mistress of "MagoWan'S
folly as his mansion is called, to her
new home. Public opinion was very bit
ter at that time and some ugly threats
were made as to what would happen
him if he brought Mrs. Barnes to tne
house from which he had elected his
former wife and his children.
Mcgowan, on reading of the feeling in
Trenton, and fearing a warm reception.
did not bring Mrs. Barnes to Trenton,
but dismissed the eoachman who was
at the depot. discharged his chef and
servants n closed the big house. He
and Mrs. Barnes took up quarters at a
Philadelphia hotel, where they have been
living for seven months at great ex-
pense.
Mr.. Mcgowan and Mrs Barnes will
live in the finest house in Trenton, which
cost over 100000. 1t will take a large
corps of servants to run it, and Mcgowan
himself estimates that it will take $685.
600 a year to keep the establishment go
ing.
He has confessed Judgment to Senator
w. H. Skirm for 500, 600 to cover many
Endorsements made by him. Three years
o6O An Wa0 d. WO1tl Il lllillOI,
all of which he had made in fifteen
years., starting in business with 81, $780,,
borrowed money.
Mcgowan was one of the five men who
sought the -Gubernatoria1 nomination six
years ago, but he developed only little
strength In the convention. Since then
he has been regarded as out of politics.
J.. Albert Barnes. who has gone to
indianapolis, does not know that his wife
is married, n was surprised when in
Philadelphia on Thursday to see his wife
and child f5oking out OF the window of
the hotel where he knew Mcgowan had
his apartments. Barnes has a suit for
divorce pending in the New Jersey Chanc-
cry Court, and his counsel says he will
regard the Oklahoma divorce valid and
is particularly anxious to get the GUS
tody of his daughter.
He will ignore the marriage, and will
claim the divorce on Statutary grounds,
and on transactions prior to the first
marriage, which Mcgowan says took
place in Milwaukee, Wis, last June, while
urday by the Rev. w. A. Hunsberger.
The Eastern and Trenton Rubber Com
panies, of which Mcgowan is president,
were to have had their annual election
of officers last week, but owing to Ma
goWanss. absence from town the election
did not come off. They are expected to
take place this week.
Mrs. Mcgowan when seen last night in
her home said she did not care to discuss
the subject, because 1t was not pleasant
to her She said she knows nothing of
Mr.. Magowan's movements, but would
deny the current report that Mr.. Ma
gowan called on her. He had been to
or personal representative to see the
children On1V-