Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1911 — WHOLE TOWN “HET UP” [ARTICLE]

WHOLE TOWN “HET UP”

AGED COUPLE SELLS OFF FIRST WIFE’S BELONGINGS. Indignant Woman Takes Portrait of Dead Wife From Collection and Sends It to Relatives —Shroud Box Is Sold. Wilmington, Del —The personal effects of his former wife were of no use to R. Hopper Smith, widower, age 72, formerly sheriff of Queen Anne county, Maryland, so he sold them publicly. This was learned In an announcement from Smyrna, where the sale was held In front of a hotel. This was the town In which Smith recently created a sensation by eloping with Mrs. Margaret C. Bailey, a wealthy widow of 68. The elopement followed the efforts of Mrs. Bailey's two sons, Frank and Daniel Bailey, to have her declared insane. The aged bridegroom, who now occupies the Bailey mansion in Smyrna, went so faj: at the public sale as to dispose of a box labeled “gray shroud.” It had contained the garment in which his former wife (the second) was buried. The sale attracted a curious crowd. In the front row of a pile of household goods framed portraits of the former wife were conspicuous. One woman friend of the family of the deceased wife, became so indignant that she appropriated one of the pictures. She sent it to the family. Not only were the pictures In evidence, but the certificate of marriage of Mr. Smith’s second wife to her first husband, Francis B. Bradbury, of Elkton, Md.. was put up for bids. It was sold, as were also family Bibles, one containing a complete family record, and a prayer book given to the dead wife by her ancle, the late Rev. John A. Reach, and so inscribed. The Bhrood box was offered with a pair of blankets. When this was knocked down a number of the spectators became enraged. The former wife’s friends declared that a shower of rotten eggs should stop the proceedings. This means might oave been resorted to, bat for wise counsel. When a handsome book secured from the effects was returned to a relative of the deoeased wife it was prophetically opened to a clipping which read: “Honest love is preferable to shameful gain.” This was written by the donor, the Rev. Mr. Roche, to his niece. The town is in a ferment over the affair.