New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-18
Mrs. LeSlie'S Hidden
R0mances Unveiled
Publishers Kin, in Fight Over Widows Estate
Reveal Early Love Affairs Insanity
in His Family, Says Sister


Startling and heretofore unpublished
details OF the carly romantic career OF
the late Mrs. Frank Leslie, known also
as the Baroness dc Bszus, widow Of
Frank Leslie, the publisher, are on hIt
in the Surrogates' Court, and Will be
used in the proceeding brought by
three grandchildren OF Mr. Leslie for
81 600 900 OF the estate left by Mrs.
Leslie. valued at Sl.sOO,OOO The princi-
nal part Of the estate was bequeathed
20 Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, to- be
uscd for the furthorance Of woman sui-
fragc.
These records, revealed through
search made by James II. Wcstcot'
counsel for the contesting Grandchii-
drcn. contain the statement by a sis
fer Of Mr.. Leslie as to the existence OF
INSANITY in his family and throw much
robt on the two marriages OF Mrs.
Leslie before she became the wife OF
the publisher.
The Official documents show that
David Charles Peacock, a jewellers
clerk became her first husband IN 1894
in the presence Of deputy sheriff and
tho LAWYER for Mrs. Susan Foliln'
mother Of Miriam Florence Follin,
which was the maiden name OF Mrs.
Leslie. Peacock had been arrested on
q charge made by the young woman
motbcr When Peacock sued to have
the marriage annullcd on the ground
Of duress he obtained his decree with
out opposition.
Woes Of Second Husband.
Ephraim George Squicr. diplomat,
archeologst and writer. who was en-
ploved as an editor on Frank Leslie's
Weekly" was the second husband OF
Mrs. Leslie. lie obtained divorce
from her after he had suffered many
foundations. which included his spend
ing several weeks in debtors cell IN
Liverpool while his wife was trsy-
cling i'm the company Of Mr.. Leslie.
However. Mrs. SGuier. VINO carried
the bank bills OF MIR. Leslie IN ner
corsare. did not altogether neglect hei
husband while he languished IN jan
for she and her travelling companion
stopped at a butchers shop and DoughI
five shillings' worth OF sausage ana
some other delicacies, which she sent
TO Souier in jail. with the remarh:
Yes. that will amuse him until we
get 10 Paris which was a reJoinder 70
Mr. Leslie's suggestion, That VIII keep
him a while ri;.,.
The record shows that iran" Lesl'e
original name was Henry carter
Included in the bundle Of documents
filed in the Surrogates Court ana
which will be used 10 aid the contest
inc heirs Of the publisher in their hght
for large part OF the estate IeIt GO
Mrs. Leslie, who was his second WIG
and Of which union there was no
issue. Is the testimony which was taken
F in London in 1850 in behalf OF the sons
+ Of Frank Leslie by his first marriage
in their fight over the viii OF thelr
+ father. who left his entire estate 10
their stepmother.
Claims Of Grandchildren.
4 As the children Of Frank Leslie have
since died. their children now are su-
ing. because. as they assert, Mr. LesIe
provided that at the death OF ms sec
ond wife she should give large part
Of the estate either TO his cnlldreh OF
grandchildren. The contention OF the
sons was that Mr. Leslie was not OF
sound mind when he executed ms VIII
and in support OF that contention tney
obtained commission to examine MIS-
Mary Ann Jubber, Of Hsddon Hal,
ctrstford England, sister OF Mr.
Leslie. that she might tell OF the IN.
sanity that existed in the family OF
the Publisher
Mrs. Jubber testified that an aunt,
uncle and great-aunt died insane. that
ono OF her brothers was called Cray
Joe" and that she had heard that her
mother also was odd" Mrs. Juboer
considered one of her sisters odd
Trips 10 Europe made by Mr.. and
Mrs. Sauier and Mr.. Leslie were de-
tailed by Mrs. Jubber. The first OF
these was in 1867 and another vas IN
1870 On the first visit Mrs. Jubber
said she received message TO meet
Mr.. Leslie and Mrs. Sduier az the Ho-
tel Euston, London. She got there the
next morning and learned that the pair
had arrived at the hotel the night be-
fore.
Wife Refused Squier Aid.
"On seeing them" Mrs. Jubber testi-
fed, Mrs Squier informed me that
her husband had been taken at Liver
pool for debt Mr.. Leslie said the debt
was $3.50, and would I lend it for bail.
]. looking al Mrs. Squier, said, But
cannot YOU pay for your own husband"
/ She said, NO, have nothing.
II then asked Mr.. Leslie II that was
50. and he replied, no, she has moth
ing; I want you 20 lend it and ! will
guarantee il, but ! shall not want the
money until three days before 60 TO
1 Paris Mrs Squier said, The only
money have is Nj. Leslie's' She pro-
duced a roll.of notes from her BOSOM,
and keep it for the journey 20
Paris" Mrs. Jubber asserted she
lent the money for Squier's bail. Mrs.
Squier seemed to treat her husbands
/ IMPRISONMENT as a joke.
Further testimony showed that Mrs.
Squier and Mr.. Leslie were anxious TO
1 avoid travelling in London. and there
/ fore asked the sister TO suggest hotel.
/ She recommended the Claridge.
at a dinner party there" said Mrs.
Jubber. certain old friends Of Mr..
Leslie asked concerning his family nd
he said he hal two sons and was
grandfather. that his sons had an ac-
tive part in his business and were very
useful. He spoke 10 all inqurers NEST
fatherly and affectionately concerning
them"
One interrogation put TO Mrs Jubber
was what she observed concerning the
conduct Of her brother and the then
Mrs. Squier Their conduct" she re-
Mid nna. such Is one nnuId cNncct