The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-06-18
HAPPY HOME BROKEN UP.


For some time past the people of Mount
Holly have been quietly discussing the
affairs of the family of Judge Benajah
P. Wills, but on Saturday the matter was
given fresh impetus by Philadelphia
paper which published the affair in de-
tail. The Mount Holly papers have been
in possession of the particulars but re-
Trained from making them public in def
erence to Judge Wills, who was naturally
depressed over the unfortunate occur
renee
The trouble began about three months
ago, when young man made his appear
ance here and took up his residence at the
| Wills home on High street. His name is
Harrie Baxter, and he gave his residence
as Great Neck, Long Island. He had not
been here very long before Judge Wills
took exception to some of his actions, for
the young man assumed the air of pro-
prietor. The Judge was informed that
Baxter was the future husband of Mabel
and was to be treated with Difference due
to such distinguished parsonage. The
Judge was still dissatisfied but his objec
lions only made matters worse, and it did
not take him long to discover that he was
very much in the minority, as the pros
pective son-in law had the balance of the
family on his side. This naturally caused
discussions which tended to separate rath
er than unite the family.
The mother seemed to be as much in
fatuated with the man as was the daugh
ter, and the Judge soon discovered that
he was in a hopeless fight, but for the
good name of his family he continued to
object. So strongly did he persevere in
this direction that it was thought best to
silence him in some manner, and divorce
proceedings were considered. The only
charge that could be presented to begin
this suit was cruelty, and lawyer after
lawyer was consulted, but the absurdity
of the charge was so apparent that none
would touch the case.
Failing in this there was nothing left
but to calmly ignore the husband and
father and this was done to perfection.
Son-in-law Gin prospective) was made su
preme, and his advice was sought on all
matters. A power of attorney was given
him to transact business, but before he
had done much business with it, brother
of Mrs. Wills appeared on the scene and
the paper was recovered. Whether the
report that second copy had been exc
cuted is true we are not able to state.
AS the Judge continued to make the
family uncomfortable, trip out of town
was decided upon, and Mrs. Wills, daugh
ter, son and Baxter went to Marion,
where the Judge has farm, and took up
their residence in tenant house. There
are various rumors of what happened
there. After awhile they came home and |
Mabel and the young man were seen driv- |
ing around at all times of the day. An
apparent reconciliation had been effected
with the father, but it did not last long, !
for Baxter was first in the affections of the |
others and his wishes were most respect
ed.
Many rumors and stories then began to |
circulate, and one morning it was report
ed that the Judge had lost his diamond
pin. One day he took the pin to j. H. |
Halt, jeweler, and asked that the stone
might be fastened as it was quite loose,
remarking that it was valuable stone,
given him by his wife some time ago. MIR.
Halt looked at the pin and objected to the
Judge leaving it with the idea that it was
diamond, telling him it was nothing but
PASTE Judge Wills took exception to this
and took the pin to another jeweler, who
quickly confirmed Mr.. Halt's statement.
Another visit was made to the latter, who
then told that the Judges daughter Mabel
had brought to the store diamond OF the
size that would fit in the pin, and asked
that it be put in Tiffany setting. At
the same time she made inquiry about
Montana diamonds. Judge Wills asked
Mr.. Halt if he would go to the house and
confront Mabel with this statement. The
ieweler readily assented, but when they
got to the house Miss Mabel refused to
grant all lubeIVlCW VI ouOW bAC -
Philadelphia reporter Mrs. Wills is said
to have made insinuations of dishonest
servants. The mother lost diamond ring
a few months before
Soon after the discovery of the removal
of the diamond the family, without the
father, made another pilgrimage, this
time to the farm at YOUNGSTOWN, where
from all accounts they had glorious
time, to their own ideas at least, if not to
the liking of those about them. Chicken
is said to have been on the bill of fare,
and a rooster belonging to neighbor,
was shot. and furnished one meal. 1t
might have proved an expensive feast if
the matter had not been settled by pay
ment for the chicken.
Having lived on the farm long enough
to want to get back to town, the quartet
returned about week since. Miss Mabel
and Harrie appeared on the street in
light rubber tired wagon. The report
that they were married while at Horners-
town preceded them, and this rumor seem
ed to have some foundation when the
trappings of the turnout were seen. The
harness was white, and the young lady
was attired in the same color, not the
least prominent in the costume being
large hat.
All inquiries with reference to the mar
riage were smilingly swept aside, and the
couple continue to appear together on
the streets, the subject of comment from
all quarters Not until pressed by re-
porter did they deny the marriage. Bax-
ter still appeared to be the man of the
house and the mother favored his suit.
To show her confidence, possibly, she
would drive out with him. Baxter got
an idea that it would be profitable ven
ture to raise pigeons, so he planned an
immense loft which he proposed to have
built near the Episcopal rectory, but
an interview with the Board of Health
stopped this affair.
The general impression is that Baxter
is an adyenturer. His home is at Great
Neck, Long Island, and it was while on
visit to that neighborhood that Mabel
made his acquaintance. The encourage
ment the fellow received caused him to
follow the matter up and he has made
ten strike thus far. When he first came
here he was prolific with stories of his
importance and showed pictures of fine
house which he stated was the home of