The Ordway new era., 1909-12-03

charm, as well as the size of her for.
tune, completely turned his head.
with this handsome woman for a wife
and her money at his command. he
thought. there was no telling how far
he might rise In the social scale.
Mindful of the duke of Braganza's
coup in carrying on the wealthy and
charming Anita Stewart, he did not
hesitate to try his luck: with his
proud name to back him success seem.
| ed assured.
But Mrs. Leeds. too. had a good
memory. She recalled the sad expe.
riences of Anna Gould the countess
of Yarmouth and others. So she very
promptly said him nay,
Society here and abroad has taken
n very keen interest in Mrs Leeds
| doings ever since her marriage to vii.
liam Bateman Leeds In 1901. II was
a millionaire and then decided that
he must cast aside his first wife for
n companion better fitted to help him
spend his money and attain social sue.
cess.
He was born In the small town of
Richmond. Ind in 1861. His parents
were poor. but he had ambition.
While earning his living as florist,
| he found time to study civil engineer.
ing. At the age OF 81 he started his
railroad career as n helper in Aeld
corps of the Pennsylvania railroad.
| Rise to High Position.
BY hard work he earned his way
| to position OF general superintend-
ent In few years. thus gaining the
practical experience In railroading
which later stood him In good stead.
He had married. in 1883. Miss Jean
nette Goar of his home town, who
possessed comfortable fortune In
her own right. He was then but %
years old
For some time, as superintendent
OF the Logansport division OF the
Pennsylvania railroad. Mr.. Leeds had
watched the progress of the tinplate
industry. The field looked very good
to him: so, in 1895. with d. G. Reid as
a partner. he acquired a plant at Ei'
wood Ind.
| The business grew so rapidly that
he had to give up railroading entirely
to handle It, as president of his com
pany. In 1898 he organized the Amerl'
can Tinplate Company. commonly
known as the Tinplate trust. with
string of plants in various cities. HIS
faculty for organization and executive
work was remarkable. At the lorna
ton of the United States steel Com
many Leeds and his associates sold
out to them at a profit OF about s4o'-
900 900.
with the proceeds of the deal they
bought heavily in Rock Island rail-
way stock. rapidly absorbing the ma
iority of It. and in short time MI
| Leeds found himself president ot ms
road. This Office he held from l'oi
until 1906, when he resigned from ac'
| tive connection with the system.
Met His Affinity.
When Leeds first became deeply en-
crossed in business affairs he and MS
wife gradually drifted apart. HIS IN
terests required his presence III .ne
east most of the time and MS WIG
| nreferred to remain at home.
In 1000 he met the fascinating Mrs.
Mamie Stewart Worthington. and i'm
r,ediotely decided that she was MS Al
unity She was the daughter OF
wealthy Cleveland banker and had just
obtained n divorce from her flrst nus
hand. George E. Worthington.
Mr. Leeds Immediately became hope
,essly infatuated with the beautifui ai-
vorcee. He notified his wite that he
had found his ideal and offered to mana
her 81 .OOO, 900 In cold cash II she wouia
institute divorce proceedings against
him. so that he might be free to wed
the fair charmer. Mrs. Leeds accepteu
1 and entered suit in western court oi
the ground of desertion, as Mr.. Leeas
mod not lived with her for about hve
years. r, dov.
Mr. Leeds lost no time. Three days
after his first wife was granted hei
decree, Mrs. Mamie May stewart
Worthinpton moved into her place.
| The ceremony, which was celebrated
ot the stewart home in Cleveland was
most lavish. AS wedding present
Mr. I,eeds gave his bride about u ,oo0'-
ooo @ worth Of Jewels. a princely s2'ooo'-
mn mansion on upper Fifth avenue.
New York, and an ocean yacht SAID
to he worth another 100000. The
tsvel. included pearl necklace val
ued at Se6.00o. q diamond neckiacs
worth CSC, 900, and . S1,O0o oiamono
rins. A. II this were not enough ne
threv n . $4,000 ermins coat ana