New-York tribune., 1906-08-11
SAYS LESSON COST $500.
"WIDOW" UNDER ARREST.
Butcher Who Ansa0ered Id TOR
Husband Charges Szoindle.

woman who said she Mrs. Helen Hamil-
ton. OF No 323 West SD street. was arraigned
yesterday before United States Commissioner
Shields and held In 81 600 bail for further ex-
animation on a charge Of using the mails TO de-
fraud. Behind her arrest is the story OF
young butcher from Philadelphia, James 5. NC
Clelland by name, who according 10 his own
affidavit. met grief through a matrimonial ad-
vertisement i,->erted he says. in Philadelphia
newspaper by Mrs Hamilton.
McClelland says he learned a lesson. but IL
cost him something like $500. He did not want
to have any other person learn the same lesson
at the same cost, and so had Mrs. Hamilton ar
rested. She gave bail in collateral and ap-
peared TO take the affair as a huge mistake on
McClelland's part.
Through her attorneys she admitted much of
McClelland's contention: said that she inserted
an advertisement in good faith; that she got
acquainted with him. and that he wrote letters
and she repliess~, Her letters were described as
interesting" McClelland is charged by her
attorneys with getting "cold feet They said
she was ready to marry him this very mo-
ment"
McClelland, however, says he does not want 70
marry her, but is content with exposing her
ways. Briefly, according TO McCleland's story,
he saw an advertisement in a Philadelphia paper
which read that a young widow. engaging, of
liberal income and beautiful home" desired to
meet "a young gentleman Of character business
and position" There a saving clause in
serted against "trifiers and agents" McClelland
was struck by this saving clause. He thought
the New York widow must. after all, be the real
thing. He wrote; she replied. Then he came on
10 see her, at No S2S West SD street. A butler
bowed him into a lavishly furnished drawing
room. A moment later the reality the New
York widow, appeared. McClelland forgot the
good old Quaker town. He hung on every word
that fell from her lips
She told him her husband was dead, and that
his estate was then in course Of settlement. She
was lonely, McClelland declared; had $4,000
year income, and all that was needed to make
her happiness complete was man. McClelland
purchased an engagement ring of her selection.
It cost $500. He went back TO the Quaker town,
and there he received letter, many letters, from
her. One of them submitted 70 the commits
sioner read:
When I was last at Asheville. N. c., saw
most beautiful turquoise lOcket and chain, solid
Oriental turquoise, and / always thought IL
had any I could love sufficiently I would
want that lOcket and chain so could wear their
picture around my neck Yours is the one
want in IL.
McCIelland sent on 5000, he says and ordered
her to get the locket.
Then Mrs. Hamilton lost her income, he says.
and all because she had the nerve TO think of
marrying again. Would McClelland send on
5000 to engage counsel TO fight the case. Nc
ClelIand says he came on with the money him
self. met his betrothed again. Then she disap-
peared suddenly, he says, and he wondered.
Day after day he went to the house. he says,
but the butler said Mrs. Hamilton was not ito
home
Then the Philadelphia butcher became con-
WINGED that he swinded.
"Our client" her attorneys said yesterday,
ais ready to marry this man, and never
dreamed she not going to until this arrest
came. 1t was shock to her. She went away
trip and neglected writing for a few days.
and this started the trouble. This minute she is
ready TO marry him. She is all she claimed 70
be. and wanted to meet an honest young
who would for her and who would make her
q good husband"