Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1883 — WHAT IS CALLED A HERO. [ARTICLE]

WHAT IS CALLED A HERO.

Dastardly Conduct of Chief Engineer Mehrille— lftnk Melville’ s Story of Hkr Marital Troubles. M6€lia (rfiif DpfiCMl. The quaint old court-house here has rarely witnessed a scene more dramatic or more pathetic than that which occurred in the habeas corpus suit of Engineer Melville against his wife for the possession of his children. Mrs Melville took the stand at 4 o’clock. “Tejl your story in your own way, Mrs. Melville,” said the judge, kindly, as the slender, white-faced woman turned and faced the audience after declining a proffered chair. Her recital covered the marriage to George W. Melville in Buffalo in 1864, after having been engaged to him for three years. “My father,” she said, “was a magistrate in Buffalo. I was married in his house on a Sunday evening and my husband left me next morning to join his vessel at Norfolk, Va. Afterward I moved to Bristol, Pa., and there when my first child was eleven days old, my husband sent me word that if I wanted to see him before he went to sea I must come to Norfolk. I made the journey, and have never been strong since. Maud was a year old when her father first saw her. At that time he allowed me S4O a month, and once threatened to get a divorce because I had complained that the money was insufficient for our support I never in my life offered my nusband a glass of liquor. He always said he did not love me, and onoe, when I asked him to increase my allowance, he sent me the most cruel letter I ever received,” (Here Mrs. Melville broke down and sobbed like a babe, hutrecovered herself and continued): “While we were living in Bristol Mr. Melville came home one evening as I was getting supper. He had a pistol with him which he showed to me, and explained its working. While I was in a closet with some plates in my hand I heard a report and a bullet entered the door close to where I stood. I fell on a table, exclaiming, ‘My God, Pm shot’ but feeling no pain, jumped up. Melville then came to me and said, ‘For God’s sake don’t tell anybody.’ After the people had gone n the night of my husband’s reception at home, he paid to me, Show me to room.’ *You will find it where yon left it,’ I answered, bat I showed him the room. He asked me where my room was 1 told him I had no other. He then said, ‘lf this is the room where yon are going to sleep, I*ll he if I do.’ He then started to go, and I said, *Oh, George, Til not trouble you.’

“Shall I use the exact language he used in replying to me,” said Mrs. Melville, as she hesitated, and turned toward the judge. “Yes, if yoji wish,” was the reply. “ ‘No, you G—d d--d b —h, I don’t intend to let you,’ was the reply, as he went down stairs with a pillow. On Tuesday momiiig I was awakened by my servant, Sadie Miller, who tcld me that Mr. Mel-, ville was ooming to the house with two men. I had not the faintest idea oh what was to come, but tlought it was the preliminary proceedings for a divorce, or something of that kind. Mr. came up stairs followed by Washington James and Thomai Garvin. 1 way still in bed. My husband sCdtefr mmself on* the pillow and told me to get up at onoe. Ts you do not,’ said lie, T will wrap you in the quilt and carry you down stairp.’ •Suroly, George," I replied, ‘you will not compel me to get up before these men. Go out of the room and take them with you while I dress.’ He told the men to go out, but remained behind himself, as he said, for safety. I then arose and dressed myself. Mr. Melville put his hand under the pillow and pulled out an empty revolver. Then I was ordered to go down stairs. I obeyed, my three children following me. A carriage stood a few rods from the door. My husband told me to get in quietly so there would be no arena Then for. the first time I realized that I was to be taken from my children. I put my arms around Meta and Elsie, and Maud clung to my neck. All of them were crying. ‘You shall not take my babies from me,’ I cried. ‘They have never been away from me since they were born, and they shall not be stolen from me now.’ Then I threw myself on the ground and the children with me. I implored the men standing about me to help me, if they were men; but the appeal met with no response. My tears and entreaties had one good effect, however. My children were permitted to get into the vehicle with me, and we were driven off, as I afterwards discovered, to Norristown. I was taken with my children into a large building, and then' I was told that my children could not remain with me." At this point Mrs. Melville broke down and sobbed convulsively, as did Elsie and Meta, who were seated within a few feet of their mother. Maud oovered her face with her handkerchief. Nearly every woman in the audience was in tears. To heighten the dramatic effect, Judge Clayton called_the little ones to him, and, with

their dolls in ttMsrarms, they walked uP he steps leading to the Judge's seat, and he pot his arms around them both. “I want my mamma,” wailed Meta. “Anil so do v*. sobbed hsr sister. “Be good little girls,” said his honor, kindly, “and go to your seats, Your mamma will bs through presently, and then she will oome to you.” Somewhat comforted, the children took their places again, and Mm Melville, after swallowing a glass of water, resumed her testimony. She continued: “When I found they had to go, and that I was powerless, I told them that God would protect than, and that, to please mother, they must go back without her. The children obeyed me, and Maud was taken without being permitted to bid me good-bys Not long afterwards I was taken into a room, and the key was turned on me. I realized then, and not till then, that I was a prisoner. But where, I knew not I soon learned, however, when I heard the shrieks and yells of my fellow-prisoners, that I was in a mad-house.” The scene in the court-room during this narrative was remarkable. The only person in the large audience who betrayed no emotion was Engineer Melville.