The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-11
Asks for $25, 900 for Failure to
Keep His Pledge.
CREATED A SENSATION
Wealthy Young Druggist Made
No Explanation of Action.
Suit Is Commenced in United
States Circuit Court.

morning against Edgar c. Arnold, the
wealthy wholesale druggist, who is
charged with breach of promise by
Miss Lena Packard of Los Angeles,
Cal, whom he Tilted at the altar the
9th OF November. All arrangements
had been completed for the wedding,
the day set, the guests invited and
the trousseau arranged for the use Of
the bride the succeeding evening.
Mr.. Arnold had arrived in the city
from his journey half way across the
continent to claim his bride, had call
ed upon her and renewed the story of
his love and devotion. Two days were
spent in auto driving and enjoying life
In anticipation of the future at least
as far as the bride to be was con-
cerned and Mr.. Arnold was almost
constantly in her company for the
three days previous to the wedding,
excepting the bridal day.
Miss Packard received a short note
from Mr.. Arnold the evening before
the time fixed for the wedding, in
which he told her that he could not
marry her, but did not offer any rea-
son for his sudden change of heart,
excepting to say that he was un-
worthy. Miss Packard was Frustrated
and an attempt was made to locate
Mr.. Arnold through the police force of
Los Angeles, she believing that he had
become suddenly i'll, and that affairs
could be satisfactorily adjusted if he
could be found.
The search was of no avail and
day or so later Miss Packard receiv-
ed a telegram from Salt Lake from
Mr.. Arnold in which he did not at
tempt to Justify his actions but stated
that he would return to his home in
Topeka. The desertion created a sem
sation in the two cities where the bride
and groom make their homes as both
We're prominent socially.
The family of Miss Packard and her
friends in Los Angeles refused to dis
cuss the matter and Mr.. Arnold and
his friends in Topeka likewise main
tanned discreet silence, each main
taining that the matter was one which
concerned only those directly inter-
ested. There have been runnors of a
breach of promise suit ever since the
affair. -a .@ =
Mr.. Arnold met Miss Packard in
Topeka at the home of Mrs. George
Port Ashton on the 23d of November,
a year and a half ago, where she
visited for several months. Mrs. Ash
ton is her aunt. From the first he was
an ardent sutton and monopolized the
time of the fair young Californian to
the exclusion of all other admirers. 1t
was common talk at that time that an
engagement existed and the bride con-
fded to her closest trends that such
was the case.
L
until the 10Th of January and then re-
turned to her home in California and
Immediately began planning for her
wedding, less than a year distant. Mr..
Arnold refused to discuss his matrf-
monial- prospects even with his most
intimate friends, but in the early
spring he made a trip to the coast for
the purpose of presenting his bride to
be with diamond a token of their
existing engagement. The following
November he again visited the land
of flowers, this time with the intention
of claiming his bride.
Drops Out of Sight.
He did not go to the home of his
bride-to-be, in person and break the
news to her, but dropped out of
sight as completely as though the
wide ocean had swallowed him. The
note which he sent to Miss Packard
only served to assure her that some
thing awful had befallen Mr.. Arnold
for she was sure he had not deserted
her and for months after his return
to his home in Topeka insisted that
he would in time make all things
right.
She heard from him at intervals
and the letters were the same ardent
love bearing epistles he had written
her before he had broken their en-
Ragement within the shadow of the
altar He told her that he had no
explanation to make of his conduct
That he was sorry for the grief and
suffering he had occasioned her and
wished that he might bear the burden
alone.
After Mr. Arnold returned to To-
peka 1t was announced that he was
sick and a State Journal reporter who
called at his home found him con-
fined to his bed. He refused to dis
cuss his broken engagement. Since
then some of his intimate friends
II s~.%
but no formal statement was ever
made in his behalf.
Mrs. Geo. Port Ashton, aunt of Miss
Packard said today: II know nothing
about the suit / was not consulted
about the action"
When seen by representative OF
the Topeka State Journal this m ornine
Mr.. Arnold declined to be interviewed
or to discuss the features of the case
"what will be your defense?" was
asked.
81 must decline to discuss any
phase of the case" replied Mr.. Ar
mold land at this time 1 haven't a
word to say about the matter
s'Were you expecting an action OF
this kind?'' asked the State Journa
representative.
~"Please do not ask me to discuss
hAe case" pleaded Mr.. Arnold, for !
must decline at this time at any rate
and when I have anything to say
through the newspapers I will cal
them up, but for the present there /.
not q thing to be said"
Mr. Arnold, the defendant in the
case, was born in Topeka "a year,
ago and has resided in the city con
tinuously since that time and at pres
ent lives at the home of his mother
927 North Jackson street. Since tn.
death of his father, A. ]. Arnold. wht
was postmaster in Topeka under tn,
Cleveland administration, the defend
ant has managed the affairs of hi