Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-30

ABDUCTION ANDCoNvIcrIoN.-The First LIS
trlct Court at New Orleans was crowded on the
loIh Instant to witness the trial of Pat1ef Ryan,
on the charge of kidnapping young lady. MISS
Honora A, Wood. on The Eth o! April, loo4'-
The atiar created quite sensation at the Time.
The facts OF the case are briefly these: >,
Patrick, who is distant relative of Miss no
nora. fell violently in love with her and sought
her hand in marriage. This she positively re-
fused, and her mother, becoming dlspleased at tue
pettinaclty with which he visit the family ana
urged his suit, forbid him TO come TO her mousse
Determined to secure his prize nolets roens, tal-
rick provided carriage aud driver aud as MISS
Wood, who is or WAS at the time teacher In lhe
public school ofthe second district. was returning
home from her school in the aternoon ne seized
her and pushed or dragged her into It, ana t"u
the driver, under pains of death, to push WIN an
speed to the Lake which he accordingly d'u. on
the way there Miss Wood, to secure herseii from
violence, partly consented to go with him' ana
when they al ghtcd from the carriage ana sue
took his arm and walked ~ boaid NOBLE ste'n-
er just then ready 10 leave. One on board. ana
feeling herself safe, she Immediately eommnnica-
ted her situation TO the capt "a, who LOOK ier I'M
der his projection to Mobile, the boat having al
ready got some distance on her TIP. On arriving
at Mobile he lelegraphed the young LADY sir!enos
rs TO what had occurred. and notified ihem OF the
time when he would return with Mss Wood
The police accord iugly repaired to the Lake at
the appointed time, and arrested Ryan on the
charge of kidnapping, an affidavit having been
made against him to that effect oy brother OF the
young lady. Ryan was examined and sent be-
fore tue first district court on the charge, under
bonds of $4,000 which he furnished.
Yesterday the trial came on. Judge I.arueap-
pearPd for the accused and the Attorney General
for the State. The young lady appeared on the
stand though we understand with great reluc-
lance. and toId the facts at length here briefly
stated She bore herself with mingled dignity.
frmness. and proprety through the fiery ordeal
of Il ririd and merciless cross examination. She
denied that she was ever engaged to marry the
accused or thought of such thing. Mr.. Laure
addressed The jury at some length in defence OF
his cent, and tried by all the skill in his power
to throw doubt and suspicion on the testimony OF
the principal witness. His inuendOes in regard ia
the Young lady aroused the Attorney General,
whose closing reply was an indignant outhurst OF
forensic eloauence which evidently told with the
iury After brief charge from Judge Robert
sun. in which he referred TO the point Of insanity
which had been raised by the prisoners counsel
thourh not Insisted on the jury retired, and in
Two hours returned verdict of Guilty. with a
recommendation to the mercy of the court"
| Several wears since RYAN went to California
and letter was exhibited in court written to him
| there by Miss Wo0d. commencing MY Dear
/ Coasin." The letter while exhibiting the wr
ter as Young lady of superior intellect and ac-
embellishments, is nothing more than what might
no written ny any body TO casual acquaintance
| This circumstance. and the fact that the accused
had once been permitted to visit the young LADY,;
family. problhly caused the jury TO recommend
the prisoner to the lnercy of The cOurt.-.Ntw Or
leans Bulletin.