The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-11
TICKLE BENJAMIN HILL
TALE OF THE TRIRULATI0NS OF A
WEALTHY NEW YORK TEA
DEALER
HE LOVED TOO MANY WOMEN
Married to One, He Took Advantage
of the Trusting Affection of An
Other-Church Folk
Shocked.

NEW YORK, March 10.-Magistrate
Kramer, in the Lee avenue police court.
Williamsburg, yesterday, sent the case of
Mrs. Belle Devlin, widow, charged with
assault1ng Mrs Elizabeth Hill wife of
Benjamin Hill, wealthy tea dealer and
treasurer of a Methodist church, who
lives at No. 213 Grand street, Williams
burg, to the court of special sessions
On leaving the court, Mrs. DevIin was
served by Mrs. Hills attorneys with pa
pers in a suit for 5000 damages for
alternating the affections of Mr.. Hill Mrs
DeVlin's attorney accepted the papers,
saying his client would institute a suit
for 100000 against the tea dealer for
breach of promise.
Mr. Hills illness prevented his attend
ancc in court. Tie has been Ill for
nearly seven weeks, and it was while
Mrs. Devlin was trying to see him a
week ago that she had an encounter with
Mrs. Hill, which resulted in Mrs Dew
Inns arrest.
TESTIMONY SHOCKS CHURCH PEG
Many persons prominent in the social
and church life of Williamsburg were at
the hearing Half dozen fasl1fonabIy
attired women, members of the South
Second Street Methodist Episcopal
crowded about Mrs. Hill and assured her
of their sympathy. She was represented
by Isaac F. Russell.
Mrs. Devline was accompanied by her
sister, Mrs. Bishop, and some women
friends. The widow told without hesita-
ton of the relations existing for the last
seven years between herself and Mr.. HILL
Many Of the church folk seemed to be
shocked at the recital
to Mr.. Hill twenty-three years ago, and
first saw Mrs. Devlin four weeks ago,
when she called at the tea store and ask
ed about Mr. Hills illness.
Mrs Devlin called at my home a week
ago. continued Mrs. Hill, land tried to
force her way into my husbands bed
room. I prevented her and she struck me.
L called for the police and Mrs Devlin's
arrest followed"
Mrs. Devlin was called Strengthening
herself in the witness chair, she said:
MRS. DEvLIN's STORY.
cit was in 1894 that first met Mr. Hill.
[ was separated from my husband at the
time. Mr.. Hill told me he was divorced.
At his request I went to Chicago in 1897
to institute divorce proceedings against
my husband, Mr.. Hill defraying the ex-
pense. While the proceedings were pend
lIlS MT. Hill VISITED me several times. /
obtained the divorce, and Mr. Hill ac-
companied me and my youngest daughter
East. He told me after 1 obtained the
divorce that 1 was his affianced. My hus-
band later died in Boston"
Mrs. Devlin exhibited a diamond ring
and a watch, which she said Mr. Hill
gave her in 1897 She said he told her
he did not like the name Benjamin and
asked her to call him Gift" He gave
her $500 on Jan 2 last, she asserted
The witness said that about month
ago the Rev DR.. R. G. Pardfngton. pas
tor of the church of which Mr.. Hill is
treasurer, visited her. He was accom-
panied by Police Captain Short. They
told her, she averred, that Mr.. Hill was
married, and ordey9d her to have moth
ing further to do ,gith him. 1t was to
investigate their 81 elements that she Wis
tied Mr.. Hills hf Re.
Mrs. Devlin til ; told Of the encounter
with Mrs. Hill. te said Mrs. Hill seized
her, and 1T. Hin who was in bed, shout
ed TO his wife:
Mamma, let her goi''
The witness said Mr. Hill had arrang-
ed to marry her next September and en-
gagged a dressmaker to make her wedu1ng
gown.