Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1882 — MARRIED AT LAST. [ARTICLE]

MARRIED AT LAST.

The Finale of alSad tibmestio Tragedy—Capt. Nat f Ear hart (Maines His Enchantress. ' w Gallipoli* Latter IntUnclnnaU Ga«ette. The second act in theEgrhart drama was played to-night (Monday) Th this city. Tl»e readers of the Gazette will remember the great sensation caused by the suicide of the wife of Captain Nat Earhart. This sad affair occurred ed at Harmer, Ohio, Where Earhart has an elegant home, sheltering his six motherless children. The affair was the result of his infatuation for Lillie V Hampton, and the interest in the Sensation at this point was intense, from the fact that Lillie Hampton was a resident.of this city, where he? father, CulonelT, W. Hampton, is an exProsecuting Attqrney, and her brother is the present City Auditor- Lillie was known here as a beautiful child, fascinating everyone she met by her brilliant conversation and musical talents. Two weeks ago she arrived in this city, and was domiciled in the home of her father on Locust street. The fact was little known. Boon rumors were prevalent that New year’s would see her a bride and Captain Nat Earhart a hjusbond for the second time. The interest was greatly intensified when Earhart arrived In this city Saturday evening last, and became a guest at Colonel Hampton’s house. What was wonderful was the fact that Charley Welden.a brother of the late Mrs. Earhart, arrived at the same time. Welden became intoxicated in a short .time, and tumors conjured a tragedy,iu a.short man ner. Your reporter,knowing the facto, sought Welden, to learn his intentiohs, and found his coming coincident with Earhart’s to be purely accidental. He became so boozy late at; night that the police placed him in the City Prison, where he spent the Sabbath. This evening the reporter called 'at the residence of Colonel Hampton, and was granted an Interview with Captain Earhart He was neatly dressed ( ih black, With a white satin tie. and embroidered slippers covered his feet. He looked well, and talked pleasantly, though rather reservedly. He stated that his marriage*to-day was rattyer unexpected; that his intention was to have had the cdrmony performed in the spring. He rather accused the press of unfair dealing with him, and, as they had Judged him harshly, without a fall hearing, he felt he was not under any obligations to explain hiscourse. He regretted that either he or his intended bride had allowed themselves to be interviewed. He had not read the newspapers until an expiration of three weeks. The accounts in the papers were backed by prejudice, be said, and the time would come when proper justification would throw its light on the scene. He inferred to his intended, Miss Lillie, and expressed his great regard for her health. In this connection it is learned that he has tenderly nursec. her at Cincinnati, after the occurrence, which was such a fearful shook to her nerves.

The correspondent was then conducted to the presence of Miss Hampton by Captain Earhart. She was dressed for the bridal. A simple dress of white trimmed in tucks formed her costume. A tie of illusion covered 1/er throat, half hiding a large pearl necklace; bracelets encircled her arms, and a large ring was an ornament to her forefinger, and a single white rose was pinned on her bosom She looked well with her dark hair failing low on the forehead. A picture of Captain Earhart, framed, reclined pp the mantle. Miss Hampton talked pleasantly of her approaching marriage, occasionally leading the conversation and referring to her early associations in this city. Captain Earhart Joined heartily in the relation of any funny incident, aud if these two people had heed cqmdemued by the public, and thfeir peculiar relations bad become tbe subject of common gossip, your reporter could not see but what they intended devotion to each other, and to secure what happiness they could in a censuring world. Captain Earhart asserted his intention to take his new wife to preside over bis old home, where his sister now presides over tbe iiitle ones. His children, he said, should receive his devotion, even at the cost of his own discomfort. The law had given him their guardship. He would follow his occupation as river clerk, and if he changed his residence the far West would be his home. At near 10 o'clock, Rev. C. F. Creighton arrived on the night train and preformed th# marriage ceremony. The relatives of the bride and a few personal ftieiidlt were called In. The publication of tbe -teeddlng will produce . a great sensation. Captain Earhart was viewed to-day with great curiosity oh the streets, and tbe matter is the one topic ofconversatlon. There is a dark side to this story, which has never yet seep print- jEvhart’s friends Claim these is a point of justification, and say they only await time to vindicate action. Tbe relatives of Captain Earhart pity bis blighted wedded life, aud hope for his future happiness, though in sadness at the fearful price at which it is secured, that the lady who first bore his name was temporarily without God’s guiding reason, when she committed the rash Act. Earhart does not try to conceal the feeling that prevadss him that he owes the world no apology for his present course. These dark hints come from sources which take a Color of authority, and we send them in perfect confidence that they are treasured secrets to Justify faults which tbe people call slu. We do not voice the public sentiment, but gi ve the facts. Let bim Judge who may.