Mrs. Moore-O'Neill

Mrs. Moore-O'Neill.

She Tells of Her Acquaintance and Marriage to the Missouri Congressman.

St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 16.- Mrs. Moore-O'Neill has given to the press a four-column statement of her connection with Congressman O'Neill. It is interspersed with several sentimental letters purporting to have teen written by the St. Louis Congressman, and gives the date and circumstances surrounding the alleged marriage. They were introduced in the reception parlor at Williard's hotel in Washington, in January, 1885. He walked home with her that night, and soon after removed to her: house to board. She accompanied him to operas and receptions, and was his guest on the grand stand at the inauguration of President Cleveland. She tells of her visit to St. Louis with O'Neill and also of seeing his children.

   "When we returned to Washington," continued the lady, "he said that since the death of his wife I was the only lady whom he had ever met that he would place over them as a mother, and since their visit to me they had lost their prejudices against a stepmother and thought a great deal of me. He then told me what his feelings were toward me, and asked me to marry him and make a home for his children and mine. After due consideration I promised to marry him. After the election he came on to Washington. A Mrs. Bevens, who lives in this city, while calling on Mr. O'Neill one evening, asked me where I was going this summer. Mr. O'Neill said, 'Mrs. Moore is going to Europe this summer.'" She stated that her marriage with Mr. O'Neill was precipitated by a letter which she received from Mrs. Elizabeth Harris later on, of the school which Mrs. Moore's little daughter attended, in and which Mr. Moore was delicately told that her conduct was exceedingly improper. The aggrieved lady stated that she upbraided O'Neill for thus exposing her to censure, and that as the result he brought in one Justice Walter, who, about noon Dec. 6, 1887, united them in marriage, without witnesses, while Mrs. Moore was aided by Mr. O'Neill's arm about her waist to stand up during the ceremony. The lady states also that Mr. O'Neill has in his possession the certificates of their marriage.