Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-09-19
Case Of Abduction.

WHst eNclttu VI iatt, ny case Vi Hpuuo-
ton which has occurred in that town. The
Toics gives the following particulars
"The wife of Taylor, one of the desert
ers mentioned in another column, this we
also transfer to our columns, is a niece of
Mr.. Ira Graves and sister of hers, Miss
Caroline +. Walker, has been visiting at
her uncle Graves for few days. A man
by the name of Perry Bridges, who claims
to be, and probably is, a United States re-
cruitng officer, came to Graves last Sun
day night in company with Peter Todd, of
Proctorsville, and said that suspicious rest
ed upon them, and especially upon Miss
Walker, of aiding and abetting Taylor in
his attempts to desert, and that they were
liable to be arrested. He said they had bet
ter all leave-but the girl he must have,
and would have at any rate. With great
reluctance and many tears, she started off
in which they came--Brilges and the young
lady on the seat and Todd between them
or in their laps.
When they had got beyond Proctorsville,
and were about entering the gulf, Bridges
said he would walk up the hill, and although
the lady demonstrated he did So
Todd very soon began to indulge in i'm
far, l,,r 10Th -,
words--all the particulars Of which were
drawn out in the examination, but we can
only allude to them here in this general
manner. Pretty soon Bridges got in again,
and Miss Walker said to him she wished to
stop at the first house, let it be where it
would. This proved TO be Mr.. Church's,
who lives where MIR. Horr used to live,
opposite the old Ray house, Here they
made halt. Bridges said he would see If
he could get Church TO carry them further,
and Miss Walker insisted upon getting out,
and finally he helped her out, and with his
arm around her waist conducted her into
the house. On learning Of Mrs. C. that
her husband was not then in the house, he
proceeded TO say that he had laid himself
liable by taking pity on the young lady,
was anxious to get on, &c. When Miss
w. attempted to tell her story he told her
TO stop her Cd id noise, he wanted to
do the talking--the girl must 90 along with
him at some rate. She said she wished to
stay there, and Mrs. c., with the quickness
Of perception and the heroism of a true
woman, quietly remarked, that Miss Walk
er could stay there over night if she wished
Very soon Mr.. Church came home, and on
Bridges remarking that the girl must 90 on
with him if she had to walk, he replied
that she could not leave his house that
night. Bridges then started off towards
Chester and Todd returned to Proc,orsville.
On Wednesday, these two men were ar
rested OH a charge of forcible abduction
with felonious intent, and brought before
Justice Warner of this town. Mr.. Fullam
appeared for the prosecution, and Judge
French Of Proctorsville, for the respond
ents.
Several of the most influential citizens
of Proctorsville came up, and manifested a
lively interest in behalf Of Mr.. Todd, who
has an interesting family, and sustans the
character of a peaceable citizen, ,oten he Is
not Intoxicated. Judge French remarked
that he appeared not as practicing lawyer
but as friend and neighbor to the family
Mr.. and Mrs. Graves, Mr.. and Mrs
Church, and Miss Walker appeared as wit.
nesses. from whom the foregoing particu.
lars and many others were ELECTED. It i,
needless to say that the ladies and especial
| iy Miss Walker, we're placed in a very try.
ing situation. Miss w. who is about 81
J ears of age, of modest and even bashfu
demeanor, gave her testimony with extreme
reluctance but a. the same time with great
propriety and clearness. The case wa.
submitted almost without argument on eli
ther side, and the accused were ordered te
recognize in the sum Of $500 each for theil
appearance at the County Court on ihe frs
Tuesday in December. In default of bal
they were both taken 10 Woodstock ant
lodged in Jail where il is to be presume,
they will find both opportunity and foo,
for reflection"
Both men were more or less under til
influence of rum. the great stimulaut to ba
deeds.