Evening journal., 1897-05-31

Episcopal Church, secured a divorce
from her husband on that ground her
plea being signed by nine bishops.
It Is owing much to Mrs Acklan's
own pluck and perseverance that she
won the fight. She has been III and un-
der a physicians care nearly ever
since she has been in Wilmington. As
matter of fact she did not know OF
the adverse action of the House until
several days after, being too in to be
told
When she learned of it, however.
without saying a word to her lawyers,
she personally went TO see the members
who were appeased. She told thin her
story without reserve, with such ef-
feet that they voted for her measure
when It came up again.
When she called to see Mr.. HAZEL.
she announced herself as Mrs. Ack-
Ian, that adventures He apologized
then and there, and when she demand
ed an apology in the House he COM
piled with her request, but. with III
grace.
MRS. ACKLAN'S KIND WORDS.
An Evening Journal reporter called
on Mrs Acklan, at The Gables, on Sat
urday and was scharmingly received. She
wore a beautiful gown of a rich fawn
color. with cloth skirt and handsome
brocade satin bodice, elaborately
trimmed with exquisite lace. When
asked regarding her experience in
Delaware she said in her pretty, musi-
cal voice:
Il cannot begin to say what / think
Of the way in which the newspapers
treated me. Their stories were both un-
kind and uncalled for. ! came to Della
ware with my mother and my maid,
with the intention of living a quiet, re-
tired life, and instead. was made no.
torious by adverse press criticism. /
came to Delaware to escape the strain
of a years waiting, and then the sub
sequent suspense which my physicians
said would prove very dangerous and
perhaps fatal My attorney had coun-
seled me to seek a legislative divorce
as the most speedy means OF securing a
legal separation.
II went into the Legislature and the
members were very kind and gentle
manly while l was giving my evidence.
The Senate committee appeared very
much in favor of granting the divorce
and acted upon it Immediately in the
Senate. ] was very much surprised at
the adverse action of the House. Az
| terward | called on the members per-
sonally and was treated beautifully by
/ them That they believed my story
| their future actions proved. l have
only kind words for the members OF
| the General Assembly and my attor-
neys. who llabored so hard and so sue
cessfully in my service. am very
grateful to them" she continued with
! joyous smile.
When asked concerning the bribery
stories. Mrs. Acklan said she has
never been personally approached by
legislator or lobbyist. and that thu
question of bribery had never been pu
to her.
However, it has been stated on gooC
authority that Mrs. Acklan at one tins
wished to withdraw the suit.
WILL RESIDE IN DELAWARE.
Mrs. Acklan said that she intends e
reside in Delaware. She does not in
tend TO 20 abroad for a year or more
when she will probably visit China o
Egypt She is too loyal an American
to live abroad, and will make Whining
ton her home.
WORDS OF CONGRATULATIONS.
Mrs. Acklan is receiving letters iron
friends and even strangers from al
over the country, congratulating her OF
her success. She also received man.
i letters of coincidence at the beginnini
of her trouble, one of the strongest be
Il ing from a clergyman q friend of Mr.
! Acklan, who had known him since hi
boyhood The clergyman wrote II
part:
Il trust she will follow her father
advice to leave Mr.. Acklan and thu
save herself from further complication
and lifelong unhappiness. That is th'
one course of safety and peace for he
to take My sympathies go out TO he
\ in this great trial. 1t is a painful sit
uatiOn for one so young, so good an'
so lovely. But the path Of escape l.
plain. May she have the courage TO pur
sue it," The preacher now lives II
Philadelphia, but formerly resided II
Nashville.
The wife of a general in the Englisl
Army wrote to Mrs. Acklan:
"You have my love and warmes
/. sympathies throughout all these trying
months, and believe me, / have ha'
you in my thoughts constantly, ant
p
taking from the man who was utterl.
unsulted to you in every respect.
4 sincerely wish you every success and
/. happier existence in the future. You
European tour was indeed an unluck.
one for you in more ways than one"
If Mrs. Acklan has been treated cour
teously since coming to Wilmington
she has also been treated very un
courteously in many small ways. On
of the annoyances to which she ha
been subjected was the sending o
marked copies of the newspapers con
tanning trash articles about her.
FORMALLY OPENED SATURDAY.
The annual opening Of the Delawar
Field Club took place Saturday. All tn
afternoon the grounds were crowde
with prettily dressed young people
exchanging the greetings Of the sea
son. At 230 the new golf links OF tn
- club were opened and the eight or min
= tennis courts were in full swing. On