Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-20


An EXCITING GScENE-ATTENPrED ABDUCTION
OF A CMLD-Quite q scene occurred at the
American Hotel on Friday night about 10 o.
clock, the main particulars of which we derive
from the Courier, as follows: Some years since
Mr. J. NJ Hanaford married the widow of Ho-
race Mech of New York, son Of Col. Asa b.
Mech ofthis city. Mrs. Mech, at the time
abe became Mrs. Hanaford, had daughter who
STAYED with her mother and was brought up and
educated by Mr. Hanaford, until about three
wears since, when Mrs. NJ died and this daught-
or was adopted by her grandfather, Col Mech.
another child. the daughter Of Mrs Ranaford
BY this marriage, has lived with her father until
| about three weeks since Mr.. HanafOrd resided
at Cleveland and was the travelling agent and
collector of a business firm in that city. He was
consequently absent from home much OF his
time. Three weeks ago, Miss Mech of this
city, visited her half-sister in Cleveland, and
brought the little girls home with her, with the
c 1nsent of Mr. HanafOrd. There was also some
disposition on part of 4 portion Of the family
hare to adopt this ehild-but probably nothing
decisive was done about it-but few days since
Mr.. Haaaford re ceised letter from Col. Mech.
inviting him to come and take his daughter
home. Mr. H ar1ived he.e Friday, dined with
| Col Mech, and was told he was at liberty to
| take the child away
Some Of the family objected, but they were
overruled by Col. Mech, and Mr.. Hanaford
brought the child TO the American, intend
ing to take the cars for Cleveland that evening.
In the course ofthe evening Mr. ii. observed a
seryant girl of Mr. Meech's in the public parlOr
of the American. The girl, when interrogated
as to her business, made some evasive reply
Mr. H. suspected mischief, and told her she
must not attempt to steal his child. She went
away, and Mr.. H saw no more Of her till he
was about to leave at 10 O'Clock. He then came
down the stairs, with carpet bag in one hand,
and leading his daughter BY the other. As he
was almost TO enter the omnibus, the hand with
which he held the carpet bag was seized Ly
Mr. Hunter. a printer, while the servant girl
laid hold of the child Hanaford called for
help and the child began to scream, apparently
clinging TO the servant girl.
OF course an excitement was created, the IN
mates Of the hotel rushing cut, some siding one
way and some another. Mr.. HansfOrd clung to
the child, but the bystanders forced him away,
and the servant ran with the child TO a carriage
in waiting. ela
Mr.. E. r. Jewett, who had come out Of the
hotel at the sound of the disturbance, seeing q
child spirited away in this manner, sPrang into
the carriage and went with it. In the carriage
were Miss Mech, the servant, the child and
himself The Commercial says that after Mr.
Jewett got into the carriage, explanations fol-
lowed--the child was taken to the house Of a
gentleman on Michigan street and there left
for the night. Mr.. Jewett returned to the hotel
and infon ned Mr.. Hanaiord Of the result OF the
affair. and after consultation the m liter was ar
ranged by Mr.. Hanaford's waving further &C
ton, and leaving his child, for the present at
least, in the custody Of the halfsister.
1t is proper 10 remark that no member Of Mr.;
| Meech's family seems to have been concerned
in the attempt at abduction except Miss Mech
and the servant Miss N. acted under great
excitement. Her attachment for her helf-sistel
was very strong. and she felt unwilling that
the child should go back to Cleveland, where
she would necessarily be left to the care Of
otaers than relatives during Mr. Hanaford's alb
sence upon business Under the circumstance
n any apologies might be made for her course
Il is now Understood that the affair has beer
am ieabIy adjusted -BEf falo EzPress, yssteTeay