The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-09-14
Elopement of a New York Wife.
From the Detroit Free Press, September .


teiegraphc dispatch was received by officer
Champ yesterday morning, requesting him to
apprehend lady who was passing under the
assumed name of Elvira King, and supposed to
bo residing in this city. The dispatch was
from her husband, Mr.. David l.. Hawkins,
OF New York city, and briefly stated that she
had eloped with young man, who was proba.
bly, in her company, and mig ght be secured. 1t
was dated at Buffalo, and informed the officer
that the writer would be in Detroit by tho first
train, being on the way with all possible dis
patch. BY very imperfect description that
was appended, the officer was furnished with
somo clue, and upon inquiry at the hotels, as
certained that no such persons had stopped at
any Of the public houses. Tho next resort was
the omnibus lines and public hacks, among
which, after much diligence, aoonveyance was
found which had taken such couple to dis
tant part of the city. Having carried the mat
ter to this extent, officer Champ then awaited
the arrival of the husband, who came in, pune
tual to agreement, on the next train.
lie WIS man of very gentlemany appear
ance and manners, and stated that he was a
merchant and the pOssessor of fine property
and sample income. They lived a few miles
above the city, on the North River, where an
elegant residence and all the luxuries of life
contributed to make happy home. His wife
was beautiful and accomplished, and, after five
years Of welded life, he believed himself the
possessor of all her affections, and in return
lavished upon her the wealth of an undivided
heart and WE'LL filled purse. She was, indeed,
faithful, so far as outward observance was con-
cerned, but in her heart had conceived vio-
lent passion, or, rather, allowed herself to be
over. persuaded into an attachment for young
man in her husbands employment.
Tho partner Of her iniidelity was q clerk who
had always enjoyed the confidence of Mr..
llawkins-a handsome, dashing fellow, who,
in the exercise OF full liberty to act as chaperon
to his fair lady at numerous hops, boat-rides,
pics and moonlight rambles on the romantic
bluffs overhanging the Hudson, had fallen in
love, and, by his winning ways and seductive
pleading, so far prevailed over tho intelligent
mind and innate good sense Of tho lady as to
blind her to tho nature Of tho Offonso and the
almost certain consequences. Tho result was
an attachm Ont which rendered the once pleasant
and much.loved home irksome and unpleasing.
The charm was gone when chastity once de-
parted, and an unsatisied spirit drove them to
covet, with rash and reckless feeling, the alb
sence of all familiar objects. They desired to
bo alone with each other.
Tho husband, overwhelmed with the dnom-
n,cnt so little expected and so slightly deserved,
found means to trace them directly to this city.
Having told his story, lie was Informed that
tho means Of recovering his wife lay within
immediate reach, and having signifcd his readi-
ness 10 proceed, the officer sent for the convey
anco above alluded to, and directed tho driver
to find tho place to which no had taken tho
lady and her lover. The senses of the un-
willing Jehu were sharpcncd by gold eagle
from tho impatient husband, and in short
time he drew up in front of plain two story
house on Congress street, which had the modest
sign Of "boarding" on the front, and tho name
of Mrs. Martin on the door. A hasty rap
brought tho girl to tho door, which was no
sooner opened than tho husband pushed in, and
demanded to sec the lady boardor. IIo was
told that sho was up stairs.
The noise of entrance and talking alarmed
the lady, for they had struck the right lead,
and as he sprang upthc stairs she confronted
him at the top, in dire astonishment and dis
may. There was a scene, az there always Isl:
the lady lainting, dying away into nsensi-
blity, and awakening again to q terrible re-
alty, amid tears and protestatons. The
husband stood with folded arms, regarding
her intently and with but few words, until
the paroxysm passed, and then quietly re :
quested her to prepare for another Journey.
She was compelled speedily to leave her
refuge and return homeward, which she did
without a last word with her lover, who, per
haps fortunately for himself, was absent from
the house, and did not meet the husband
whom he had wronged. The latter seemed
disinclined to gain Sckles notoriety, and
made no effort to find hm-takng, perhaps,
the wiser course of the two. They went home
| last night.