The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1909-12-11


With this handsome woman for 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 off 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 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
very keen interest in Mrs. Leeds
doings ever since her marriage to VIII
liam Bateman Leeds In 1901. It was
the old story of the man who became
millionaire and then decided that
he must cast aside his first wife for
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 helper in field
corps of the Pennsylvania railroad
Rise to High Position.
BY hard work he earned his way
to a 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 a 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 plant at FL
wood. Ind.
The business grew so rapidly that
he had to give up railroading entirely
to handle 1t, as president of his COM
pany. In 1898 he organized the Ameri-
can Tinplate Company. commonly
known as the Tinplate trust, with a
string of plants in various cities. His
faculty for organization and executive
work was remarkable. At the forma-
ton of the United States Steel Com
pany Leeds and his associates sold
out to them at profit of about $40,-
100000.
With the proceeds of the deal they
bought heavily In Rock Island rail-
way stock, rapidly absorbing the ma
jority of It, and in a short time Mr..
Leeds found himself president of his
road. This office he held from 1901
until 1906, when he resigned from &C.
tive connection with the system.
Met His Affinity.
When Leeds first became deeply en-
crossed in business affairs he and his
wife gradually drifted apart. His In
terests required his presence in the
east most of the time and his wife
preferred to remain at home.
In 1900 he met the fascinating Mrs
Mamie Stewart Worthington, and Inn
mediately decided that she was his af-
finity. She was the daughter OF q
wealthy Cleveland banker and had just
obtained divorce from her first hus-
band, George e. Worthington.
Mr.. Leeds Immediately became hope
lessly infatuated with the beautiful d.
vorcee. He notified his. wife that he
had found his ideal and offered to hand
her 81. 100000 In cold cash II she would
institute divorce proceedings against
him, SO that he might be free to wed
the fair charmer. Mrs. Leeds accepted
and entered suit In western court on
the ground of desertion, as Mr.. Leeds
had not lived with her for about Ave
years.
Mr.. Leeds lost no time. Three days
after his first wife was granted her
decree, Mrs, Mamie May Stewart
Worthington moved into her place.
The ceremony, which was celebrated
at the Stewart home in Cleveland, was
most lavish As a wedding present
Mr.. Leeds gave his bride about $1,000
900 worth of jewels. q princely $1,000
900 mansion on upper Fifth avenue,
New York, and an ocean yacht said
to be worth another $1,000. o0O. The
jewels included a pearl necklace val
ued at $4,000, diamond necklace
worth $50. 0vO. and q $1,000 diamond
ring. Az n this were not enough, no
threw In q $4,000 ermine coat and Z