Why He Wedded in London
The notice which appeared in yesterday’s
marriage column of the World of the nuptials of Mr. Eugene Cruger
and Mrs. Meta Kane Bell in
London
Saturday caused a sensation in society circles. It was known that Mr. Cruger
had been exceedingly attentive to Mrs. Bell, who is the young widow of the
late Walton Bell, for two years past, but inasmuch as there
had been no knowledge of a divorce having been granted either to himself or
his wife, formerly Miss Blanche Spedden, the sensation was
quite natural.
Mr. Cruger is a nephew of Col. Van
Rensselner Cruger, is a member of the old Knickerbocker family of
that name and is now about 32 years old. Having a competency he led a life
of travel and leisure until his marriage, seven years ago, to Miss Blanche
Spedden, a daughter of Mr. Edgar Spedden, A New Orleans merchant, who came
to New York with his family to reside about
twelve years ago. Both Mr. Cruger and Miss Spedden were enthusiastic and
accomplished musicians and this mutual taste first brought them together.
Miss Spedden was also an exceedingly cultivated and handsome young girl.
After their marriage Mr. Cruger took up the real estate business for some
time with his uncle, Col. Cruger, who is chancellor of the Trinity Church
Corporation. He left this to go abroad four years ago for a two years’
sojourn with his wife, and when he returned
in 1885 formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Spedden, to
transact a general brokerage business. This partnership has been recently
dissolved by retirement of Mr. Cruger. Mr. Cruger, who is a fine-looking man
of superb physique, had never gone much in society before his marriage,
preferring to travel and lead an outdoor sporting life. After his marriage,
however, he suddenly developed a decided taste for society, and New Your
society, to which Miss Spadden was also a comparative stranger owing to her
being a newcomer in the city, gladly welcomed the handsome and accomplished
young couple, who soon became exceedingly popular. It was Mr. and Mrs.
Cruger who organized the well remembered and fashionable amateur production
of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Prudence” at Chickering Hall five winters ago,
and at which, it will also be remembered, there was an exceedingly narrow
escape from a disastrous panic. In this Mr. Cruger led the heavy dragoons
and was one of the principal singers and a prominent figure on the state.
About this time also Mr. Cruger joined the Lambs Club and became a well
known figure in that and other up town clubs and at Delmonico’s.
It was soon after Mr. and Mrs. Cruger’s arrival
in Eurpoe in 1884 that rumors began to be heard in society here that the
young couple were not living happily, and that the wife had taken her
husband abroad in order to remove him from the society of some rather too
gay companions in this city. These rumors gradually died away, until they
were confirmed in the arrival home of Mr. and Mrs. Cruger two years ago and
their almost immediate separation. Two children had meanwhile arrived upon
the scene, and with these Mrs. Cruger went to live with her parents on
Staten Island, whence they have lately removed to
New York.
Notwithstanding the fact of the separation there
was little talk of divorce, and, as far as is know, no steps had been taken
until recently by either Mr. or Mrs. Cruger.
Mrs. Bell, who is the daughter of the late
Pierre Kane and a cousin of Col. Delancey Kane who was left a widow five or
six years ago. Her husband was a well known young member of the Union Club
and a connection of Mr. Isaac Bell. They had only been married several years
when he died, leaving his widow a good property. Soon after Mr. Cruger’s
return from Europe stories of mutual infatuation between Mrs. Bell and
himself began to be circulated, and as time went on were more and more
credited. In fact it is said that friends of Mrs. Bell repeatedly warned her
that serious scandal would ensue if she permitted Mr. Cruger’s attentions
any longer.
She went abroad last summer and Mr. Cruger also
went over about three months ago. The first Mrs. Cruger is a warm and
devoted friend of Mrs. Louis Hamersley, and they are continually together.
During the past German Opera season she was with Mrs. Hamersley almost every
opera night in the latter’s box, and her dark brunette beauty contrasted
strongly with that of Mrs. Hamersley, who is a pronounced blonde, made the
box a center of observation and attraction. Mrs. Cruger sailed a fortnight
ago with Mrs. Hamersley for a short European trip. It was their intention to
go first to
London, where
they must have arrived about the time of Mr. Cruger’s marriage to Mrs. Bell.
About a month ago Robert H. Sewell, the well
known lawyer, obtained an absolute divorce for Mrs. Cruger from her husband.
It was granted in this State, and under our laws Mr. Cruger has no legal
right to remarry. At the earnest solicitation of the Crugers the fact that a
divorce had been granted had been kept quite and was known to only a few
intimate friends of both families.
Last night a reported called at the Spedden
residence, Nor 186 East Twenty-second street. Mrs. Spedden at first declined
to make any statement whatever concerning the divorce. Finally, after much
persuasion, she said:
“This matter has been a terrible thing to all of
us. We had desired to keep it quiet so as not to occasion any talk, but
these people, Mr. Cruger and Mrs. Bell , have brought it all upon
themselves. It was very bad taste for them to flaunt this so-called marriage
in our faces, for Mr. Cruger has no right whatever to marry again. It is not
a valid marriage. My daughter heard about a month ago that they had gone
over to Paris
and tried to get married there, but had failed to have the ceremony
performed and had gone back to
London. She supposed that they had gone through the
form immediately after that and before she started for
Europe.
She went abroad solely because her health was
poor, and it was thought the change would do her good, and Mrs. Hamersley
was anxious to have her company. No one knows what she had to put up with
from Mr. Cruger. Steps for divorce were put off as long as possible, but it
was out the question for my daughter to try to live with him. This widow has
been the cause of all the trouble. She is rich and several years younger
that he.”
Mrs. Bell-Cruger has a girl 9 years old, a boy
several years younger having died some time ago. – New York World, March 10.
Subitted by
Carolyn Carter Times-Picayune March 14, 1887
NEW!!
Lieut. Emil B. Goldstein In a night funeral
to the union station Thursday night at 9:30 the body of the late Lieut. Emil
B. Goldstein, quartermaster corps, who died the night previous, was sent to
his old home, New Orleans, La., for interment. The officer was one of the
leading business men of his city before entering the army. El Paso Herald El
Paso, Texas October 18, 1918 submitted by Dale Donlon
Brother Killed -- Master mechanic M.E. Smith
of the local railway shops, has received notice that his brother,
J.D. Jones who had been an engineer on the Texas Pacific, was
killed by his engine turning over near Gouldsboro, La., November 19. No
particulars were given. Mr. Smith has been an engineer on the line for
twenty-six years. The Coos Bay Times, Marshfield, OR - November 26, 1908,
pg. 3 - Sub. by Robyn Greenlund
Mr. Peter Nelson, of New Orleans,
advertises Emma B. English, for
having run away from him, and cheated him out of his marriage promise. Emma, in reply, admits that she did promise
to marry him, and that she deceived him; but she avows she did nothing more. Marry, woman! And is not that enough?
While on the subject of these breaches of promise, it may be well to state, that a lady in Virginia horsewhipped
a gentleman in commutation of damages for a similar offence. I think he got off quite cheap. Noah’s Nat. Adv. [May 4 1825, Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) Page 4 – Column 1,
Submitted by Nancy Piper]
In New Orleans
Peter Murdock, a motorman on the Carrollton street car line
shot his wife and then blew out his own brains with a revolver. (Augusta
Gazette, Augusta, Kansas, Friday, January 4, 1895, front page) Peggy
Thompson
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), November 14, 1827 New
Orleans, Oct. 6 On Monday last, a squall struck the pilot boat schooner Mark
Times, while cruising off the Mississippi. The vessel upset and four out of
seven pilots on board were drowned. submitted by Nancy Piper
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania May
23, 1827
A letter from New
Orleans dated 17th ult.,
mentions that a fire occurred in that city on the 14thcommencing
in a carpenter’s shop, next (to) the residence of Madam Desforges, in St.
Philip-street, which consumed nearly half the square opposite the Theatre. The
Theatre was also considerably injured, before the flames were extinguished.
– Balt. Amer. submitted by Nancy Piper
SOLVED THE MYSTERY
A Young Girl Imprisoned Over a Year by a Negro is Rescued From Her Captor by a Policeman.
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 18, (1889)
Louise Shoemaker, a pretty girl
of fifteen, disappeared from her parents' residence over a year ago and no trace of her could be found until yesterday
when Sergeant Kenny, hearing that
a white girl was kept a prisoner in the rear of a barber shop on Felicite street kept by Gus
Reed, a Negro, went to the place and broke open the door, which was locked.
As he entered the rear room he saw the frail form of Miss Shoemaker, naked except for a tattered undergarment.
Her face was pale as death and her eyes shown with insane fear as she rushed toward the sergeant and clinging frantically
to him cried piteously: "Save me! save me!"
Kenny with difficulty persuaded her that she was now in friendly hands, and the half crazy girl finally became
quiet. Assistance was summoned, clothing procured and the girl properly cared for. She states that Reed kept her
locked up for over a year, subjecting her to constant outrage. Reed was arrested and locked up. [THE KINGSVILLE TRIBUNE, Vol. VII - No. 11. Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., Ohio., September
20, 1889. I. V. Nearpass, Publisher]
BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 9. — Sen. Huey P; Long"is slowly
gaining strength, it was reported from Our Lady, of the Lake Sanitarium at
8:30 a. m. today (9:30 a. m. EST.) A pint of blood given to Long by Lt. Gov.
James A. Noe shortly before midnight was credited with bringing about the
improvement. ..
BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 9.—Senator
Huey P. Long, shot and seriously wounded last night in the state capitol -by
Dr. Carl Austin Weiss, 30-year-old eye specialist, is given' better than an
even chance to recover, a member of his attending medical staff announced
today. BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 9.—Gravely wounded by a political
assassin, Huey P. Long, senator, dictator, and Kingi fish of Louisiana,
fought against death today, while the future of his Southern "empire" hung
in balance. The best physicians in the state, including Dr. Urban
|Maes, world famous surgeon, hastened here by plane and ! automobile. In New
Orleans 200 hastily mobilized members 'jof the Louisiana National Guard
prepared to move to Baton Rouge against any attempt of Long's
political enemies to seize the state government. Physicians were
ready to give Long a second blood transusion. He already had undergone one
transfusion and an emergency operation. . A bulletin issued by Our Lady of
the Lake Sanitarium at 5:45 a. m. E. S. T., said his condition was
"satisfactory" but his friends understood his wound was critical. The
bullet entered his right side and ranged downward through the abdomen,
puncturing the colon twice. Evening Gazette | Xenia, Ohio | Monday,
September 09, 1935 | Page 1
Republican Compiler
(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) March 9 1825
Boston, Feb. 22
An experiment has lately been made of paving one of the
streets of New Orleans. It has heretofore been supposed that the soil
of the city was not sufficiently firm to admit of a pavement. The
present experiment, which was undertaken by a number of individuals has been
quite successful, and the paving is to be extended to other streets.
To accomplish this undertaking, they are under the necessity of importing
their stones from the northern states, and from Europe, the sand from the
lakes and from Pensacola, and the workmen from the northern states.
Submitted by Fawn
Excitement In Country Districts Grows With Discovery of
Epidemic at Other Points In Louisiana—Passengers In Stalled Train Starving,
Note GrLcatw, La., Aug, 4.—Eleven Deaths from yellow fever occurred here the
largest number so far. The city board uf health reported thlrty two new
cases and four new deaths The number of new cases showed a decrease over
Tuesday, but the Increase of death's have exceeded expectations. Still, the
health authorities confess to no alarm. The exicitements in the country
districts seems to have grown more acute in the discovery of cases at other
points In this connection the doctors are are disposed to question whether
all the cases that appear can properly be traced to New Orleans.
Lockhaven Express AUGUST
4,1905
Republican
Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November
22, 1826
From Texas, (In Mexico)
Arkansas, Oct. 10
Emancipation of Slaves
in Texas.
We learn by a gentleman
of this place who arrived a few days since from Miller county, that a
citizen of that county had returned just before he started from the Province
of Texas, bringing information that great excitement prevailed throughout
the several Colonies in that country, when he left there, in consequence of
the recent passage of a law by the Mexican Government for the Emancipation
Of All The Slaves In The Province Of Texas, and that orders had been
received for carrying it into immediate effect. As
many well be supposed, this information produced the greatest consternation
among the slave-holders, all of whom had emigrated to that country under an
assurance, as we are informed, from the local authorities of Texas, that
they could hold their slaves; though we are under the impression that
slavery is prohibited throughout the Republic by the Constitution of Mexico.
The large slave-holders
were hurrying off their slaves in great numbers in Louisianna and Arkansas;
and we have heard of several persons who emigrated from this Territory who
have recently crossed the line into Louisiana, with their slaves. Those
persons who have but few slaves, have held meetings at which it was resolved
that they would stand by each other in resisting the execution of the law
until they can gather this year’s crop after which they have determined to
leave the country.
We also learn that the
Indians have been very troublesome for some time past, to the colonists, and
that in many settlements they were under the necessity of erecting forts for
their protection, and retreating into them for security. Several
persons had been killed by the Indians within a few months, but at the
latest advices, the alarm was subsiding. The
crops are said to be short this season and the country very sickly. –
Gazette.
Republican
Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania January
31, 1827
Revolt in Texas
The Alexandria
(Louisiana) Messenger of December 22, contains the following paragraph:
“Col. Butler arrived in town two or three days since and brought the
intelligence that the province of Texas had taken up arms to free itself
from the Mexican Republic. If
such a thing is but now in progress, the day is not distant when it will
take place. Those
who emigrate to that country are undiminished in expressing their
determination, as the provincials do, to make a stand and set up for
themselves, whenever they feel strong enough to resist the parent
government. Knowing these things and the disturbances and want of government
in the province, we think there is every probability that the report is
true.”
Republican
Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania February
28, 1827
New York, Feb. 15
From New Orleans
We have received by the
packet ship Azelia, New Orleans papers to the 27th ult.,
inclusive. The
Advertiser of the 25th says,
“We learn by the steamboat from Natchitoches, that hostilities have
commenced between the forces of the Mexican Republic and the Revolutionists
in Texas. It
appears that a party of Mexicans, about sixty in number approached a
fortified house in the vicinity of Nacogdoches, which was garrisoned by the
Fredonians. About
fifteen of the latter sallied out to meet the assailants, who were repulsed
with the loss of four killed and several wounded. It
was doubtful which party would prevail in the end. Our
information leads us to believe that a large proportion of the colonists in
Texas have taken sides with the revolutionists. Submitted by Nancy Piper
From the Daily
Herald (Mississippi), dated January 11, 1901:
Major
Burbank Dead Died Suddenly Yesterday In a Cab One Of The Best Known
Newspaper Men In The City Of New Orleans Left No Family Save His Widow New
Orleans, La., Jan. 10 – Major Nathaniel Burbank, managing editor of the
Picayune, died very suddenly this morning in a cab before medical assistance
could reach him. He had taken a Baronne street car at the corner of Felicity
and St. Charles streets, bound for his office. On the way down he became
suddenly very ill. At the corner of Julia and Baronne streets the major was
helped from the car and a cab was hailed. He entered it, but it had not
proceeded very far in the direction of his home when death resulted. Last
night Mr. Burbank left the Picayune office at 1 o’clock after he had dropped
into the local room and chatted with the members of the staff for a few
minutes as had been his custom. He apparently had never been in better
health, and no one suspected he was troubled with an affection of the heart.
For more than twenty-five years Major Burbank has been the associate editor
of the Picayune, going to that paper from the old New Orleans Republican at
the time it suspended publication. Submitted by Denise Burge
New Orleans, LA Babies In Demand Louisiana Families Order 300 From New
York New Orleans, La.: Orders for 300 babies have been placed with the New
York Foundling and Orphan Asylum by Louisiana families and are being filled
as rapidly as possible. Already 117 boys and girls have been brought through
New Orleans on the way to the home of their future parents in Southwestern
Louisiana. Two carloads of babies destined for Louisiana homes
have been placed this year. The last of the consignments arrived Friday,
there being sixty babies in this car. Fifty-seven went to Opelousas, from
which point they will be distributed to various places in St. Landry Parish.
The average age of the babies was 2 ½ years. They were in charge of G.
Whiting Swayne, special agent of the asylum, and two trained nurses, two
Sisters of Charity and Mrs. Bowen, a wealthy Philadelphia philanthropist.
The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, Baton Rouge, LA – May 3,
1907 – Transcribed by D. Donlon
Louisiana Justice Two Negro Assassins Shot To Death By A Mob New Orleans,
La., July 11 – Captain T.W. Fuller of Webster Parish, father of State
Senator Fuller, and a prominent planter, was murdered on Wednesday night at
his home, twelve miles west of Minden. He was apparently seated at the the
table reading when the murderer fired from the outside through the window
with a shotgun, killing him instantly. The body was not found until morning.
A search for the murderer was kept up all Thursday, and by night James
Porter and Mond Dualey, negro tenants of Captain Fuller, were arrested on
suspicion. They confessed to the crime. The posse who had the two prisoners
started to Minden with them, but when crossing the Dorcheat swamp was
overtaken by a crowd of men, the negroes taken from the deputy sheriffs and
shot to death in the middle of the road, where their bodies were left lying.
The San Francisco Call – July 12, 1896 – Transcribed by D. Donlon
