The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-03
Wealthy Godfrey 81. Harris
Thought He Was Marrying
q Jewess.
MAKES SENSATIONAL CHARGES.
Came Upon His Wife's Indian
kinsfolk by Accident and
Learned the Trrth-A New
York Social Scandal.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Buffalo. n. V, May Godfrey II. Far-
ris. the wealthy manufacturer Of New York
City. who was recently discovered to have
married an Indian squaw believing her to
be a Hebrew. has brought a suit for d.
vorce, making sensational charges against
prominent persons In this part OF the State.
The suit was secretly instituted, and Mr..
Harris and his attorneys are not aware
that any of the facts concerning It are
known outside of the court. The complaint,
which makes charges against a prominent
Republican legislator, a leader IN his party:
against a high official of q trunk line rail-
road, and other weli-known citizens, is ac-
companicd by the reports Of detectives
placed on the trail of the child that Mrs.
Harris sought TO make her husband believe
was his own.
The reports of the detectives show where
the baby was procured. and the recital. as
contained In the briefs on the side Of the
plaintiff, UPHOLD the story Of a social scan
dial greater than ever before known in
either Saratoga or ~Chautauoua countiek
where. the main incidents Of the Harris case
are laid.
1t was made known only q week ago that
Mr.. Harris had married Mrs. Sarah Reeves.
better known as Sarah Strunk, proprietor
Of the Saratoga Cottage at Lakewood. Lake
Chautauqua: had discovered that she was q
was also found that Mrs. Harris had re-
Gently presented her runaway husband with
a son. according to her own account, ana
had made a demand upon him fSr eXtTa
one. and that Mr.. Harris had repudiated
the child and set on foot an INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Harris met Mrs. Strunk two YEAR,
ago. while on "A visit to Lake Chautau9ua,
and Immediately fell in love with her. Sne
was q handsome widow, almost Oriental IN
her coloring, and Mr.. Harris was MADE 70
believe. it Is said. that she was OF his own
Mr.. Harris made the fne-looking widow
his bride. the courtship being OF the oriel-
est. The bridegroom soon had an awakening
that cooled his love and caused him to flee
from his bride. The story is nat whiie tax
ing a walk one morning he stopped IN the
shop Of an Indian basketmaker al T r
he saw a remarkably beautiful Indian siIi,
who so closely resembled his wife that he
questioned her at length as to her antece-
To his astonishment and horror he learned
that the Indian girl was the full sister OF
his wife. who was. therefore. an lnGian
squaw. He Immediately returned to New
York City. where he was followed q rev
weeks later by his wife. With a desire 10
avoid publicity. Mr.. Harris is said to have
provided literally for his wife. placing a line
apartment at her disposal. and giving her
funds so that she was able to entertain in
lavish style. The husband did not live with
her and never disclosed the secret OF her
Mr.. Harris is tho Indian woman's third
husband. After the death OF her first hus-
band; who was a Saiiiornia min e sn sa NAV
Stock Farm. at Lakewood. She had been
widowed several years when she met Nj;
Harris. The secret Of her indian r,,i pir rSa d dnl
v~estigation made by the detectives EN-
ployed by Mr.. Harris was reported on.