New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-15
HELEN LFTGHTON,S STORY.
HEARING IN THE CASE AGAINST HIRAM 5
MANN FOR NON SUPPORT

Poughkeepsie. n V. Oct "A (SpecialD-The
woman calling herself Helen Maxim VINO pro-
cured the arrest Of Hiram S Maxim. the inventor
on charges Of hsamy and non-suppo-t spent three
uncomfortable hours on the witness stand this
afternoon The case called nv Recorder
Brown az = m. Mr. Maxim was present with
his counsel Weeks. Battle & Marshall Of New
York and Frank Lown. Of this city District
Attorney Wood represented the people. and
Charles Morschauser appeared personally for the
complainant Counsel for both parties agreed To
deter the trial OF the bigamy case and proceed
with the charge OF abandonment
The complainant was sworn and gave in detail
the story of her streetcsr Acquaintance with Mr.
Maxim on January l. iS7s her dinners with him AZ
the Belmont Hotel IN Fulton-st New York, and
her alleged marriage to him IN the same year in a
Magistrates office near the Grand Central Station
She then between fourteen and fifteen years
old Her mother lived ut New-Lisbon v j.
Her memory hazy about the location OF the
building in which her alleged marriage 10 Mr..
Maxim took place. She recalled that she entered
a reception room and that Mr.. Maxim was met by
a man who went and returned with two other
men The ceremony was performed. and several
days later Mr. Maxim handed her what purported
10 be marriage certificate. They spent the next
few DAYS at the Astor House and thereafter she
M yn,cad Re- ss his wife to friends and relatives
particularly to his uncle Amos Stevens, in Phila-
tbev Mere living in twenty -sccond-st. New-York.
she said Mr. Maxim stole the marriage certihcate
from her trunk and letters 10 her written by MIN
and signed Your Husband Your Old Man. etc.
She gave birth in 1873 girl. whom she kept ioI
several weeks. after which the child was adopted
by wealthy persons She signed her name 20 the
papers as Helen Leighton. mother. and Mr.:
Maxim signed his name John leighton !ather
pr Turner who attended her. said the child must
bear her name. ,, II.
For seventeen years, the witness declared she
had received no money from Mr.. Maxim He estao-
li.hed her in house in Philadelphia, when ne
purchase and furnished He deserted her IN lSN
or 1851 ard went to Europe. She followed MN 20
Paris and relief was refused 10 her. she returned
and until six years ago supported herself az
housekeeper or servant i'm places Of iH-rePute OF
six Years she had led a respectable life she denled
that she received an income from a married man
in Poughkecpsie. - nuaror ,,bo
live in Tnion-st Brooklyn. she said tnat after heI
marriage she visited them. Mr.. Maxim too hei
that Mrs Maxim not his wife, as she nag q
husband when he married her. He told her ma
she was his only lawful wife, and she was sausieu
with his explanation - ,,...,, l., tsr,1ge-
When asked II she knew DIT Metcaif IN brd s.e-
nor, she AT first refused 10 answer, out salu' az
repeated questions that she did know MIN m, IN
denied that she had told him her name was heltH
Leighton and that she used the name OF Nj NJ
Ma vim for convenience while travelling WIN vi
Maxim. - a,.,,.s ,hs ronnlairt
erS me "A So was adjourned until Friday, Octooer -
Mr. Maxim was served this afternoon Win gap'v.r.
IN divorce proceeding instituted by his alleged wire