The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-28
MRS. PRENTrS TROUBLES.
M'MURRAY's FRIENDS DEFEND HIS
CONDUCT TOWARD HIS WIFE.

| Bishop Becker-9Irs. Prenty's
story of the Disappearance of
| Her DauGhtcr-WiIIiam Prenty of
Pittsburg ON His Way Here to
Investigate the EamiIy's Affairs.
| The misfortunes of Mrs Catherine Prem
! ty and her daughter and the apparently
! strange conduct of ex-Policeman McMur-
ray are the principal topic of conversa-
ton with a great many people in savan-
nah
Chief of Police McDermott received a
telegram yesterday from William Prenty
of Pittsburg, Pa, announcing that he
will arrive in Savannah by the next
| steamer from Baltimore, and will make
a full and thorough investigation of both
the property and family affairs of his
| sister-in-law and niece.
Mr.. McMurray's friends say that he has
been misrepresented. As in every case of
this kind there are two sides to the story
and the Morning News, having given one
side, endeavors to give the other. I'm
fortunately however, as neither McMur-
ray nor anyone of his relatives is here his
side of the question of his wife's conduct
|
| cording to statements made to parties in
whom he confded and which are believed
by them MoMurray was entirely justified
! in his conduct towards his wife and in
stead of endeavoring to injure
her he was acting an honor
abe part in endeavoring to shield her and
save her from the result of her own
weakness. 1t was to put an end to scan
dal and remove her from undesirable as
sociations, it is stated, that he took her
to New York. Whether she is with him
there or is in a reformatory is unknown.
1t is known that McAIurray made a
statement of the case to Bishop Becker,
and it is said that the latter approved
| McMurray's course in taking his wife to
New York. Mrs. Prenty, when seen yes
terday by a Morning News reporter, con-
frmed this report. She said that when
she appealed to the bishop to aid her in
saving her daughter he told her he could
do nothing for her, and that her daughter
was better off where she was.
AS to the sale of the property, at Perry
and Houston streets, the records of the
courts show apparently that McMurray
had legal right to dispose of it, and
the title made by him to the purchaser is
said to be perfectly good The lot was
set aside after Patrick Prenty's death for
a years support to his widow Some
time later money was borrowed on the lot
by Mrs. Prenty, probably for the purpose
of making improvements, from the Ogle-
thorpe Savings and Trust Company. When
the amount fell due McMurray paid it and
received the title to the lot, which, of
course, included the improvements.
| The property on McDonough street.
fronting also on East Broad and Houston
street is trust property, bequeathed by
| Patrick Prenty to his wife during her life
and afterwards to his daughter and her
heirs. Money was also borrowed on this
property, and was used in improvements.
This loan was also made by the Ogle-
thorpe Savings and Trust Com
pany. Although it appears to
be good property, there being
several good houses on it, payment
on the loan has not been kept up, and the
mortgage will fall due in July. Taxes and
ground rent have also accumulated against
the property.
Mr.. McMurrays attorneys, Messrs.
Saussy & Saussy, when seen yesterday,
said that 50 far as dspOsing of the prop
erty was concerned, he had perfect le
gal right to do as he had done, and the
records would show that the titles were
SOOu As 70 tlle trust property, tIey Sdlu,
Mr.. McMurray was not trustee, and had
nothing whatever to do with it, except that
at various times he had made payments
on the interest.
Mr.. Saussy said that he was not certain,
but he thought the improvements on the
lot at Perry and Houston streets were
paid for by McMurray himself, probably
out of the profits of the business, which
he conducted there. AS to his clients
troubles with his wife, Mr.. Saussy said
he did not care to discuss them. He had
some knowledge of them, he said and be-
lieved that McMurray had been actuated
by the best of motives in removing his
wife to New York.
Mrs. Prenty is very feeble She stated
that she did not expect
to live much longer. Her only wish was
that she might see her daughter before
she died, but of this, she said, she had
no hope. Mrs. Prenty talked intelligent
ly but her utterance was indstinct and
it was difficult to catch all that she said
She bemoaned bitterly that she had been
so foolish as to place implicit confidence
in her son-in-law. To this she attributed
all her troubles. She trusted everything
to him, she said, never suspecting any
thing wrong. The improvements made
upon the property at Perry and Houston
streets, she said, so that the deed might
be made to him in his own name saying
that there were only three of them and
the baby, and they would all live there
together. Mrs. Prenty consented, and
from that date, she said her troubles be-
gan. She nor her daughter had
had any peace since. she said
Her daughter left for New York last No
vember, Mrs. Prenty said. and since that
time she had heard nothing from her. If
she could only see her again she could die
happy. she said. The business which Nc
Murray conducted was started with her
money and credit she said. The old lady
seemed to have no hope that things would
be set right and none that her daughter
would be restored TO her.
Zimmerman Coming south.
Mr.. D. o. Croft of the Zimmerman Cv-