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WILLIAMSBURG ROMANCE
Brooklyn Union
April 6, 1871
The Loves of the Cousins.
"Not Wisely, but Too Well" Mated but not Married A Painful Case of Scandal.
Of all spots on Long Island, Williamsburg is assuredly the most favorite
region, in which the storms of sensation circulate. Scarcely a week passes
without bringing to the surface some abnormal circumstance, to disturb the
equanimity of the inhabitants of the Eastern District. But doubtless by
this time the Burgh has so far advanced on "The even tenor of its way" that
events, which elsewhere are regarded as indicating a convulsive state of
society, are here dismissed with a few comments over the breakfast table.
Mysterious disappearances, midnight murders, shocking suicides, Salt
Lake proclivities, and girl-stabbers, are a few of the brilliant events
which will light up the page of some future Gibbon, who bequeaths to
posterity the history of the "Decline and Fall" of the Eastern adjunct of
the City of Churches.
It is now exactly seventeen years since Brooklyn incorporated this
suburban neighbor, and yet is a deplorable fact that so long a period has
not been sufficient to remove its primitive degeneracy. Until the
Fifth-Warders abandon their little revenue peccadilloes, and the
Williamsburgers look with more respect on the moral laws, it is scarcely
necessary for Brooklyn to send out her missionary agencies into remote
climes in order to find fresh fields of labor. It must be said, however,
for the honor of a fast fading name, that the last sensation, which is to
be placed to the credit of the Burg is one, which finds its counterpart in
all places, and among all classes of society, and which forcibly illustrate
the ancient proverb, that "the course of true love never runs smooth." The
tale, which "hereby hangs," is somewhat romantic, and as it may serve as a
salutary warning to those who trespass on the domains, over which the
youthful god of the tender bow presides, it may not be out of place to
inscribe it on the faithful tablet, which records the history of local event.
To begin, therefore, at the beginning it may be said that Chas. JORDAN,
about a quarter of a century ago, left the shores of Old England, and
sailed to the Western Continent, to seek the fortune which fate denied him
at home. In course of time he prospered and some years ago became a citizen
of Williamsburg, where at the corner of Keap Street and Division Avenue, he
established himself in a marble manufactory, and where he still
successfully carries on that business. Mr. JORDAN married early, and sons
and daughters grew up around him, among whom Christopher deserves special
mention, as he was destined to be the hero of this tale. Christopher is at
present about twenty years of age, somewhat delicately formed, and would
not likely have ever become immortalized were it not for the kindness of
this reportorial pen.
Mr. JORDAN, senior, like most of his countrymen settled on these shores,
often cast longing eyes toward his own home, and having means at his
command, paid several visits to England. The good account of the land of
his adoption, which he poured into the ears of his younger brother Alfred,
a resident of London, had the effect of making the latter look longingly
toward the West. Alfred was also married, and had a family consisting of
two sons and a daughter named Emma, at present in her sixteenth year, and
who figures as the heroine in the domestic drama.
On the second of last July Alfred landed in New York, with all the
members of his family, just in time to witness the grand National
celebration. He was warmly welcomed by his brother Charles, and both
families of the JORDANs made one harmonious household at the residence of
the latter in Williamsburg. Meanwhile, Mrs. Charles JORDAN was on her way
to England, where she was soon joined by her husband. During their absence
"all went merry as a marriage bell," especially with the cousins,
Christopher and Emma. The rushing heart of Christopher was irretrievably
lost, from the moment that his eyes rested on his beautiful Cousin. He
filled the imagination of the youthful maiden, with blissful visions of
future happiness when heaven should smile on the union of their hands and
hearts. He would soon be of age, and then he would build a castle by the
Lake of Como, on one of his father's vacant lots, and there apostrophize
his darling Emma. Could maiden's heart refuse to respond to such ardent
love? The mutual sacred understood vows were pledged, and two hearts beat
happy with youthful attachment.
Mr. Charles JORDAN and his wife returned to their Williamsburg home in
September, and all parties seemed to smile approvingly on the loving
cousins. Alfred, having accumulated a few hundred dollars, purchased an
adjoining lost from his brother, and with the assistance given him by his
sister-in-law, built a neat little residence. His daughter, however,
continued to reside with his brother's family. Up till the end of January
last nothing had apparently occurred to ruffle the happiness of the JORDAN
families: but on the last evening of that month Mrs. Charles JORDAN gave a
surprise party to her friends, which proved the occasion of sowing the
apple of discord, in a garden where all had hitherto been strewed with the
flowers of love. Among the guests at the party was a young lady, with whom
Christopher used to go to Sunday-School, and for whom he continued to
cherish some deep regard. He took special pains to devote himself to her
during the evening. This conduct on his part did not escape the observant
eye of his fair cousin, who was considerably annoyed at his neglect. It
does not seem, however, that any overpowering feeling of jealousy took
possession of either of them, but other eyes were upon them those of their
mothers, who thereupon conceived a bitter hatred, which subsequent events
has but intensified. Emma shortly afterwards withdraw her parental root, it
having become painfully evident that the twain had loved "not wisely, but
too well," and the poor girl confessed to her father that her ruin had been
accomplished some months before. Young Jordan promised to make all the
reparation in his power, and to marry the victim of his lust. His mother
vehemently opposed this wise resolution, and swerved him from his righteous
purpose. The girl's father laid the case before Justice VOORHIES, and had a
warrant issued for the young man's arrest, who fled to Philadelphia in
order to escape the exposure. He only remained eight days in the City of
Brotherly Love, when he returned to his home, hoping that the threatening
storm had blown by. He was, however, instantly arrested, and held on $500
to answer the serious charge of seduction. The parties appeared in Court
before Justice VOORHIES about three weeks ago, and the case was fully
ventilated. Christopher acknowledge the charge, and expressed his
willingness to marry Emma. The Justice was anxious to tie the matrimonial
knot, but as the young man was anxious to have the matter worthily
celebrated with religious ceremony, the Justice waived his right, and
allowed them to depart after he had promised that he would lead his cousin
on the following Sabbath to the hymeneal altar. Delay, however, in the case
proved fatal. The youthful twain accompanied by several members of their
respective families, repaired to the nearest Episcopal Church on the
designated day. After the usual religious services of the day, the
bridegroom-to-be had a short conversation with the minister, and made an
arrangement to have the marriage ceremony performed at the minister's
residence in the afternoon. The once-more disappointed Emma repaired to her
room, and anxiously awaited the arrival of him who was to be the light of
her life, but oh! for the perfidy of man! he has never since appeared to
claim his bride. Blighted affections on Thursday last once more appealed to
a legal tribunal, but in the absence of Justice VOORHIES, Justice EAMES who
was present, postponed the hearing of the case till another occasion. It
seems that a fresh apple of discord has been introduced into the families
by Mr. Charles JORDAN, who has commenced a suit against his brother-in-law,
for moneys advanced to him when he was in difficulties. And in this
much-bemuddled state the case now rests.
An attache of THE UNION visited the parties this morning, and the
foregoing statement is the result of his conversation with both families.
Mr. Charles JORDAN regretted deeply the painful nature of the case, but
thought that his son would never marry the girl. Christopher was invisible
to mortal eyes, and refused to subject himself to reportorial scrutiny. The
residence of Alfred JORDAN is next door to his brothers, but is much more
humble. The house is very small, and in an unfinished condition. In a low,
unplastered room, on a small sofa, sat the young girl, her brother on one
side, and a relative of the family on the other. Her father and mother were
also present. She was engaged in sewing. Her appearance is quite
prepossessing, and she is remarkably beautiful for one in her rank of life.
Instead of the "flaxen curls" of England, ?ork clusters of raven, Spanish
hair flow down her well-rounded neck, and her eyes are filled with
expression, and brilliantly dark. She still loves her destroyer, and it is
to be hoped that Justice VOORHIES will see that justice is done the almost
child who is soon to become a mother.
The JORDAN scandal case, the last blot on Williamsburg morals, and the
full details of which were published in yesterday's issue, was made the
subject of investigation before a local legal tribunal yesterday afternoon.
The facts, which THE UNION alone presented to the public, were
incontrovertible and plainly demonstrated that a grievous injury had been
inflicted on a young and innocent girl. Yesterday, three weeks ago, the
case was first laid before Justice VOORHIES; the parties appeared in court;
and Christopher JORDAN pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him,
but was allowed to leave the Court, having promised in the most solemn
manner that he would make his cousin Emma, who had fallen a victim to his
lust, his legal wife on the following Sunday. This was the only
satisfactory ending that the case could have had. Had Justice VOORHIES
strongly urged the necessity of having the marriage speedily performed, and
requested the pleasure of tying the matrimonial knot himself, as Justice
WALSH or DOWLING would, under such circumstances, have been likely to do,
it is more than probable that the cousins would then and there have become
man and wife, and a life of happiness might have been before them. The
Justice of the Eastern District proved his utter ignorance of human nature,
and allowed an occasion of making a righteous coup d'etat slip from his grasp.
The young man was, in the interval between Thursday and Sunday, given an
opportunity of subjecting himself to the influence of female advice, which,
under such circumstances, is generally wrong. His mother could not see what
injury had been inflicted on one of her sex, and demonstrated the truth
that woman shares with man inhumanity to one another. In fact, she poisoned
his mind so with evil stories that he thereupon determined that the girl
should never recome his wife.
In order, however, to surround the affair with somewhat of romance, and,
if possible still add to his guilt, he went through the farce of going to
church on Sunday, but, of course, did not return a bridegroom.
A most painful circumstance in this case is the fact that the girl's
family are poor and without friends, while the young Lothario's family are
very well-to-do, and are consequently surrounded by hosts of sympathizers,
in the rotten state of Williamsburg. It is sad to reflect that in this
advanced age, and after a thousand years of law-making, it is the weak that
are generally crushed. From the impotent conclusion at which the Justices
of the Eastern District yesterday arrived, it will be seen that the JORDAN
case adds one more proof to the foregoing inhuman fact.
THE COUSINS IN COURT.
At two o'clock yesterday afternoon, Justices VOORHIES and EAMES presided
in the Williamsburg court. The JORDAN case was called, Christopher and Emma
stood side by side before the legal luminaries. Their fathers were also in
court, and a brother of the girls. It was a most pitiable domestic sight.
There were a few interested spectators, but the general appearance of the
court did not seem to indicate that anything unusual was going on. Whether
this is creditable to the morals of the district or not is left for those
who are better acquainted with the philosophy of police courts than the
writer, to judge.
Mr. Thomas BOWEN appeared as counsel for the defendant, but the
plaintiff's attorney, Mr. DICKISON, showed a want of appreciation for his
client's interests by not being on hand until the Justices had made up
their minds in the matter. The investigation was hurried through with
unbecoming haste, and altogether lasted only about five minutes. The
defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of seduction, but was understood to
deny that he had promised marriage. The young girl, under great excitement,
and evidently recognizing her painful position, detailed the circumstances
of her ruin. She was asked by the Judge, if the defendant had at the exact
time, when her ruin took place, promised her marriage, to which she
answered in the negative. Now, it must be said, in spite of the legal
breadth of judicial vision, which justices in Brooklyn police courts are
supposed to possess, that it is hard to see what end of justice that
brilliant question could serve. It seemed, however, to be sufficiently
important to decide the matter, for notwithstanding the protestations of
the girl's father, and the stubborn fact that Justice VOORHIES was fully
aware that a promise of marriage had been made both prior and subsequent to
the occurrence, and that he himself was a witness to a solemn promise made
before himself, and beneath the very shade of his own legal tribunal, the
Justices decided that two dollars per week should be paid to the girl after
the birth of her child, should it survive, by it, father, and that a fine a
$25 should be imposed to cover legal expenses. In this manner has injured
innocence been avenged on Holy Thursday in a city which boasts of its
churches, schools, and high moral tone. The parties left the court, but
with what different feelings! One to boast of his cheap triumph over his
kinswoman's virtue, the other sick at heart to brood in shame and sorrow
over her wrongs.
Not only is the villain and his family not content with the injury,
which they have already inflicted, but they are now determined to still
further aggravate it by driving their victims into utter ruin. Proceedings
have been begun which, if carried out, will deprive the girl and her family
of their humble home, and even this morning three of the sisters of seducer
passed the door of the poor girl and cast a look of scorn upon her. Few
will envy their unholy triumph over their fallen sister.
This morning the girl's father went to Rev. Mr. MATHEWS, the pastor of
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, for advice in his family troubles. The
minister told him how much disappointed he was that the young people had
not come to him to get married, as Christopher JORDAN had promised him that
he would do so, and so certain was Mr. MATHEW that his services would be
required, that he remained at home on the Monday following the Sunday on
which the service was to have taken place, in order not to disappoint them.
He advised the father not to have anything more to say to the scoundrel, as
he thought the future happiness of his daughter would not be subserved by
such an alliance. He further stated that it would be hard to fight for his
rights in courts of law, unless he was able to command some political
influence, which it is not necessary to state the poor Englishman is an
entire stranger to. Aspersions have been freely cast upon the character of
this suffering family, which from documents which were this morning shown
to the writer of this article, are most unfounded. Previous to his arrival
in this country, Mr. Alfred JORDAN and his family enjoyed a good reputation
in London, where he lived for over twenty years.
Since the decision rendered yesterday the poor girl has become very
depressed in spirits. The lingering affection for her destroyer has turned
to bitter hate, and she protests that she would not now, under any
circumstances, become his wife. It is understood that the young man is
worth several thousand dollars in his own right, and it is not unlikely
that a higher legal tribunal, presided over by conscientious Judges, and
with a jury of twelve honest men, would decide that virtue cannot be
purchased at the low price of two dollars a week. If the cause of justice
cannot be subserved by legal measures, from the state of mind in which the
brother of the poor girl is plunged, it is not improbable that the
destroyer of this family's peace and happiness will suffer from the revenge
from which even more exalted seducers are not exempt.
Transcriber:
Ed Guinness
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