The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-04


Pierce Imboden and the young woman in.
sisted upon being addressed as Mrs. I'm
boden when seen by a Republic reporter at
the nome of her father. former Police Ser
Eeant George Pierce, on Evans avenue, last
night
Shortly after meeting Mr. Imboder in
lSsS,' she said. ''he expressed his love for
me. but explained that circumstances were
not favorable to his marrying me until after
the marriage Of his daughter. as a promise
had been made to his wife, who died a wear
before. that he would not take a step
mother into the home with their child
'On July q. 1885, she continued, I'VE
agreed TO enter into a marriage contract
with ourselves and live together as man and
wife. intending to have public ceremony
after the marriage of his daughter. After
that 1 gave up my literary and elocution-
airy work at his request and devoted all
of my attentions to him. He supported me,
bought my groceries. paid my rent. pro-
vided clothes and, up TO the time of his
death. was everything that he should be.
PARENTS KNEW OF CONTRACT.
My mother and father understood that
Mr.. 1mboden was my husband, for he came
here at nights. frequently took his meals
with US and was not backward In express
ing his affection for me. He was here the
night before he died and talked about his
daughters approaching marriage to Doctor
Parrish. both OF US elated that It would
not he long until we could declare publicly
our union
Mrs. Pierce heard all that was said by
her daughter and assented TO the facts. es-
pecialiy to 1mboden's fondness for his baby
wife" as she said he called her
When 1t was mentioned that the ImboCen
Will was written after the alleged marriage
contract in 1898. and amended only a few
weeks before the sudden death of the
md hnf IT.
Tor her benefit. the young woman said that
she could not understand how she had been
forgotten by the man who had been so kind
to her.
Doctor Parrish and his wife were seen
later at their home. No. 1896 Garfield ave-
nue.. He said that the claim against the es-
tate would be vigorously contested
FATHER NEVER ABSENT.
Mrs. Parrish said that to her positive
knowledge her father had not spent an en-
tire night away from their home from the
time of her mothers death to his own.
The fact of her being left with only the
servants in the house. she said caused him
TO come home very early. and it was seldom
that he would 90 away at ALL
The plaintiff In the case is better known
as Lily Belle Pierce than as Mrs. Inn
boden. which name she adopted yesterday,
or as Mrs. James Clark, whom she was
before she was divorced nine years ago
from husband by the latter name She
was married to Clark when IS years old,
but they lived together only year
APPEARED AS ENTERTAINER.
After leaving Clark she took up elocution
and appeared in several entertainments.
During the campaign of 1896 she read from
the stage of the Olympic Theater the speech
previously delivered by William j. Brvan
at Chicago. st. Louis persons will remem-
i her her as having frequently appeared in
the two years following and previous to 1888.
lmh0dan Indnnod har 70
leave the profession and live with him on
the promise of their future marriage
returning from summer garden. His
daughter, whose wedding arrangements had
already been made. was married a few DAYS
she came into possession of SIC, 900. and pro
vision was made that she should receive
$4,000 every five years until she is 40 years
al that remains Of the estate. estimated at