Marsh - Elmer
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 3 January 1893
Mrs. Elmer Marsh is over from Danville, Ill., whooping about and trying to discover some trace of her husband, the fascinating, but erotic Elmer. It will be remembered that about a month ago Mrs. Marsh brought Elmer and his mistress, Ollie Mills, home from St. Louis, where they had been leading the gay for some time. Ollie went home to her mother and wanted to shoot Elmer when she learned that he was living with his wife. Elmer and wife resolved that although snow was on the ground that the air of Crawfordsville was close and stuffy, so they hied themselves to Danville, Ill., to live in the tranquil quiet of the vine and fig tree of that peaceful oasis, yea, to bathe in the incorruptible waters and rivers of milk, thereof, the taste of which changeth not. Elmer had $785 which he put in the bank in his wife’s name, keeping a long red string to the wad, however, by leaving it subject to his order.
Several days ago he drew the pile, with the exception of $50 and left for Chicago ostensibly. When Mrs. Marsh discovered his disappearance with the money she lifted up her voice and wept. She boarded the train and arrived in Crawfordsville full of grief, rage and lamentation. Here she discovered that her rival, the fair, frail Ollie, who a few weeks ago was threatening to put a pill in Elmer’s biscuit, had likewise disappeared. It is inferred that she has rejoined the recreant Elmer in other pastures green and new. It is an affair that is fast becoming as ridiculous as it is scandalous and if the foxy Elmer ever again puts his foot in the corporate limits of this fair city, a committee should take him in hand and give him an “eider down party.”
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 6 Dec 1892 p 4
It appears that all is not lovely and serene with reference to the Marsh-Mills episode as has been reported. It is true that Ollie Mills, the girl with whom Elmer Marsh eloped some months ago, returned with Marsh and wife from St. Louis Friday night peacefully and in order, but she did it, she says, because she did not understand the true state of affairs. She believed that Mrs. Marsh had discovered the hiding place of herself and Elmer quite accidentally and she had no intimation, whatever, until after the arrival in Crawfordsville that Elmer had written her to come to them in St. Louis. She believed that Elmer was still as constant as the Northern star or a bad debt collector. Ollie is now at home with her mother on East College Street near the Birch foundry and yesterday sent for a newspaper man to come out and hear her tale of woe. She herself did not appear when the world enlightener called, pursuant to request but carried on conversation through her mother, a rather stout and good looking old lady, who didn’t appear to be suffering any particular mental anguish but was, as one of the neighbors aptly and elegantly expressed, “riled up right smart.” Mrs. Mills stated that Ollie was in a peculiar position. She thought that she merited and had the sympathy of everyone and while she wanted to expose Elmer she didn’t want to lose any prize package sympathy by rushing into public print. Elmer had won her maiden affections by persistence in acts of kindness. During the time that Ollie served the daily has in the Marsh mansion Elmer was constantly telling her that she was sweeter than the Sorghum of Evansville or the honey of Hymetus. Ollie at first pushed him away and boxed his ears like a good little girl, but when he finally said that he didn’t love his wife and didn’t intend to live with her Ollie thought she might as well step into the vacuum in Elmer’s affections and did so. From that time on she loved him with a love stronger than concentrated or even fresh country butter. When she eloped it was with the express understanding that they were to get married as soon as Mrs. Marsh got a divorce. This understanding, of course, entirely exonerates Miss Ollie from any blame in the matter especially as she is an innocent young thing only 22 years old. Elmer would importune her every few days during their sojourn together to get married but she would say, “Nay, Nay, Pauline, or rather Elmer” and would say, moreover, that she didn’t intend to marry him until all danger of being yanked up for bigamy was passed. They had a real good time and were in Kansas City all but two weeks of their time. The police drov Elmer away from there for some misdemeanor and they came to St. Louis. On the day before Mrs. Marsh arrived (and Elmer knew then she was coming too, drat him) they were figuring on buying furniture to go to housekeeping. On the morning the breaker up of domestic bliss arrived Elmer went to the train to meet her stating that he was going to hunt a job. When he returned Ollie was astounded especially when Mrs. Marsh fell on her neck, kissed her and asked her to go home and live with her and Elmer and they would be as happy as three little bugs in a rug. They started home and on the way Mrs. Marsh went to sleep under the seductive influence of “three bottles of pint whisky.” While she was being held by Morpheus Elmer came back and held Ollie. He cried and blubbered about like a good fellow, swore he still loved her, regretted his wife had discovered them and sang a stiff song all around. Later on he wrote a note which Ollie still has in which he declares his undying affection, begs her not to go back on him, and swears that they will be reunited if it costs him his life. Ollie swallowed all this as though it were buttered toast or Hyler’s candy and when she parted with him at the Junction it was in anticipation of a happy reunion soon. Arrived at home her mother rudely undeceived her. She stated Elmer had written his wife to come to St. Louis and desired to give her (Ollie) the cold shake. This made Ollie righteously indignant, as you may well imagine and she took out the six shooter and started down town after the villain’s bacon when she was stopped by her mother. They intend to make it warm for Elmer, however, and will follow him up wherever he goes to expose him.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 28 July 1892 p 2
Mrs. Elmer Marsh returned from Veedersburg today with her brother, Hi Roberts. She is going to let Elmer slide but is going to bring a replevin suit against his brother, Jim Marsh of Covington for her horse and buggy. This rig was sold to Jim by Elmer before the latter skipped for parts unknown.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 10 Dec 1892 p 4
Elmer Marsh was over from Danville, Ill yesterday settling up matters and states that he expects to locate there. The Mills family will probably follow him up to expose him.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 10 Dec 1892 p 1
Elmer Marsh and wife have left the city in quest of pastures new. Their goods were sent to Danville, Ill and it is likely they intend to stop there for awhile at least. They leave a sweet, lemon-colored memory behind them.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 27 Dec 1892 p 3
Mrs. Elmer Marsh has withdrawn her suit for divorce.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 17 Jan 1893 p 4
Mrs. Elmer Marsh was in the city today looking for Elmer
Source: Crawfordsville Review 28 Jan 1893 p 1
Mrs. Elmer Marsh has been over from Danville this week. As yet she has been unable to locate her faithless lord and his paramour.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 18 Aug 1894 p 6
Miss Ollie Mills whose elopement with Elmer Marsh some two years ago created considerable scandal was married on Sunday last to a gentleman by the name of Stephens.