The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13
MARIA HALPIN EPISODE
In Cleveland Campaign Recalled by
Her Death.

Brooklyn Eagle.
Maria Halpin Hunt died on Friday in her
home in New Rochelle. She was the wife OF
Wallace Hunt, hardware dealer. The
cause of her death was pneumonia
The announcement recalls the presidential
campaign of 1884. Each presidential can
paign seems to have its own peculiar feat-
ure. in which it differs from all the others.
The one of 1854 was notable for its exciting
incidents, its bitterness, malignity and the
charges made against the candidates In
this campaign Maria Halpin was figure OF
national Importance, whose name became
as familiar to the voters and the world at
large as those of the candidates themselves.
Shortly after Mr.. Cleveland had received
the nomination for President a paper. now
out of existence it is believed, published
statement of Illicit relations existing be-
tween Maria Halpin and the Democratic
candidate.
Although Grover Cleveland made the de-
mand, Tell the TRUTH" the lies cropped up
much faster than they could be overhauled
and in turn bred reprisals in rumors and
charges against the Republican candidate
until the campaign degenerated into mud
singing contest that shamed the very peo-
contest between the campaign committees
for possession of Maria Halpin, one side,
the Republicans, desiring to possess con-
troll of her that they might use her to
the end of the affirmative of the truth of
the charges; the others, that she might
not fall into the hands of those who would
use her against herself
1t was at New Rochelle she was living
when the storm broke about her mead ana
+I,,t eli, los. faef for
the agents of the two national campaign
committees arose. This battle began in an
effort TO secure from the woman state
ments the efforts of the Republicans beng
to secure one that would prove that all the
allegations of cruelty ana maltreatmeIlt
were true; that of the Democrats TO the
end of securing statement from the WON ON
an that there was no truth in them at all.
At that time she was living in the house
of a man named Seacord, humble car
penter, who became tremendously I'M
pressed by the events of such national I'M
portance and much frightened. While this
contest was being waged by the repre-
sentatiVes of the two committees the place
was thronged by all the star reporters OF
the American press seeking an interview
with the hapess woman. If an uneducated
man, who had lived simple and uneVent-
full life, Seacord was shrewd ana OF nat
ural wit and cunning. He had from the
first sign of the storm advised Maria to
keep herself out of sight and have no com
munication with any one. He placed him
a
when the reporters swarmed upon him and
one, in the guse of a peddler with a pack
on his back, actually got into the house,
where an accident revealed his true char-
acter, he was genuinely alarmed. He
abandoned his work and devoted himself
to guarding the woman. Night ana day he
sat in the hall of his home with two rifles
and four revolvers in reach, and Il really
became dangerous to mount the steps lead
ing to his front door, for he had nerVed
himself up to the idea that it was his duty
to shoot the person who sought TO gam
an entrance to his house.
This rather played the game of the Dem
ocratic representative than otherwise, for,
while he could not reach the woman him.
self he had the assurance that neither
could the Republican, and the next best
thing to an authorized denial was the pre-
vention of a signed story which would
seem to be an affirmation of the charges.
This had been going on for some days when
the Democratic representative, through a
lawyer who had done legal business for
Seacord, arranged for an entrance into
the house and an interview with Maria
Halpin. The night arrived and the repre-
sentative met the lawyer as by agreement.
Unfortunately for the entire success OF
his plan he was recognized by some of
the opposing forces on his way thither.
The consequence was that his entrance
into the house was observed by more than
one hidden behind the trees that lined the
street. Seacord received the two at the
door, rife in hand, and insisted on greeting
mis- visitor as Cleveland. Then he para
lyzed the Democratic representative by
announcing that Maria Halpin had dis
appeared from the house, and gone whittier
he did not know, and to this story he chung,
insisting that Maria had been driven from
the house by the prosecutions of those who
wished TO make her talk and sign papers.
Indeed he showed such signs of distress
and anxiety over her departure as to con-
vince the Democratic agent that she had
fed without Seacord's knowledge
Moreover, he was greatly alarmed. He
was by no means sure; I'm fact, he per
Cd hat Gh
publican arms, since he was aware none
tary considerations had been offered. Ii
was weeks after that he learned the truth,
that this simple-minded country carpenter
had spirited her away safely to prevent
her from meeting him. What followed was
an abuse OF him from the Republican side
so bitter and virulent, charging him with
abducting Maria, Of carrying her by car
riage in the dead of the night 10 waiting
steam yacht on which she had been con-
veyed TO a foreign country, printing pic
lures of the same that he finally became
convinced that in the bitterness and v1ru-
lenCe there was sincerity and belef, Whlch,
II so, was assurance that the opposing
forces haG not secured possession of the
woman
Then came a chase to find out her where
abouts Hundreds OF detectives on both
sides were securing the country. In the
meantime the partisan press of the country
was ringing with denunciation and the Oft
told tale. with malignant additions, was
told again and the spellbinders from the
stump reaffirmed and denied the story. If
the Democrats were worried by the Maria
HaIpin affair the Republicans were by the
"Mulligan' letters, impeaching Blaine,
which had been given publicity under Dem
ocratic auspices. Principles and their dis
cussion fell by the way. Maria Halpin
and the Mulligan letters were the only
themes. The bitterness of the leaders In
waging the political contest showed itself
among the voters, until 1.-The intelligent
stranger visiting these shores" must have
been convinced from what he heard and
read, that the American people had Sc
whom TO vote for President.
Finally, the representative of the Demo
cratic committee, through his agents, found
where Maria HalDin had been secreted, and
entering into negotiations with her per-
suaded her to return TO the care and pro-
lection of her Uncle Seacord. By this he
succeeded in putting an end to a set OF
ISLANDERS which had charged the Demo
cratic candidate with conniving at her aD-
duction and confinement. He had been
shrewd enough, perhaps used the solid
argument of money, 10 make interest VIII
her near relatives. When Maria returned
to Seacord's house she was surrounded by
these relatives. guarded and protected by
them. But Seacord's influence was strong
enough to prevent her from consenting TO
sign any statement Of whatever kind. On
this point he stood with all the Obstinacy
OF narrow mind. which had conceived
that some disaster would result 20 the
woman IL she were TO sign her name 10 any
document whatever. Thus TX was that
what she was willing TO say and did say
a dozen times in the presence Of witnesses,
she refused to say in writing over her sig
nature Efforts 10 induce her were con-
tnued with results OF greater Obstinacy on
the part Of ScacOrd and her relatives until
the votes were cast on that gray November
day that settled the question, and then.