Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-07
AN ELOPENIENT CASE.
A Bank President Deserts his Wife
and Runs Away with Another WO.
man.
From The Detroit Advertiser.l

erclSed over case OF scandal that has been
brought to light in that town, in which Mr..
VIM. Fl. Perry, President of the First Ma
tional Bank there, figures as the most con-
spicuous character. This person has for
some time past been residing at Pontiac,
having boon formor rosidont of Medina,
N. Y. AT one time, if we mistake not, he
was connected with the now defunct Bank
of Pontiac.
1t seems that before he removed with his
family to Pontiac he formed the acquaint-
ance, at his former place Of residence, of a
blooming young widow named Mrs. Laura
Wilson, with whom he became intimately
associated-and, for aught we know, too
much so. Be that as l. may, she accepted
his invitation to visit Pontiac, where Perry
introduced her into his own household, and
into the most aristocratic families in the
vicinity. Mrs. Wilson being to all appear
ances, an accomplished lady, soon became
favorite in the place. Perry paid all at
tentions possible to her. and frequently
treated her with drives, rides, and OCCASION
ally accompanied her to concerts, etc. All
this time the gay deceiver was prompt in
his attendance to business, and to his family,
which MRS of course q ruse to divert any
suspicious that might arise in reference to
his conduct.
Frequently during the past six months,
Perry was called to Detroit on business and
at each trip he was accompanied by his
paramount. They put up at the Biddle and
Brussell Houses, where they registered
themselves as man and wife, and occupied
the same apartments. These visits to this
city were often made, and the same pro-
gramme enacted. At times Mrs. Wilson
would come in alone, and afterward be Joined
by Perry. The latter always paid the hotel
bills, amounting to $25 and upward each
time. A few days ago Mr.. Perry informed
his wife that she had better take trip to
Elmira, New York, and, unsuspectingly, she
consented to take the trip. The strange
conduct, however, of her husband in max
ing this proposition excited her suspicion,
but, not being of a jealous turn OF mind, she
resolved not to believe herself and started
from home as desired. On her way to-
Detroit her mind naturally reverted to the
past, and the suspicious previously suggest
ed to her assumed a more definite shape
Laboring under such impressions as natur-
ally crowded upon her mind, she deter
mined, upon mature reflection, to return
home.
The next westward bound train conveyed
her back to Pontiac, and then she found
that her worst fears were more than realiz-
ed. Mrs. Wilson had evidently taken full
possession of her house, with the intention
of staying awhile" All solicitations upon
the part Of Mrs. Perry could not prevail
upon the paramour of her husband to leave.
She had been invited by Mr.. z. to stay, and
she was mot going to leave, come what
might" Had this occurred in some peo-
pies house, storm would have instantly
arisen, and might have broken with unre-
lenting fury upon the head of the impudent
jade who dared to invade the sanctity of
peaceable household. Mrs. Perry, how
ever, with perseverance which does her
credit, refrained from engaging in person.
al encounter with degraded one of her
sex, and sought legal advice upon the sub
ject. She called upon Mr.. NJ. E. Crofoot,
Prosecuting Attorney for Oakland county,
who Immediately set about getting redress
for the outraged wife.
AS no criminal acts could be proven
against the parties, in that county, con-
ference was had with Mr.. Gavin, the pros
ecuting officer of this county, and it was
decided to arrest Perry on charge of las
civious conduct with Mrs. Wilson, and af-
terwards have Mrs. Perry prefer charge
of adultery against him. The former course
was pursued, and on Monday the papers
were duly made out, and officer Sullivan
started to Pontiac to arrest the delinquent.
BY some means or other Perry got wind of
the contemplated arrest and at once con-
cocted scheme to thwart the authorities
OF their designs. He engaged carriage
and horses, and paid driver $25 to meet
him with the vehicle at Birmingham, upon
the arrival of the train at that place. In
order to put everybody on the wrong scent,
he purchased tickets for himself and fe-
male companion for Detroit, giving out that
he intended to visit the city on business.
The guilty couple left the cars at Bir-
N cham and iumnino info a 20 rra In,
waiting, were soon being rapidly driven to-
ward Detroit. The officer, upon his arrival
at Pontiac, found that Perry had left
for this city ahead of him. He, however,
traced the parties to Birmingham, and find
ing that they had about an hours start of
him, he telegraphed to the sheriff at Pom
tiac and the sheriff here, to intercept the
fugitives. These officials scattered officers
all over the country, but at late hour on
Monday night, neither Perry or his mistress
could be found.
On Tuesday morning it was ascertained
that they had taken the Pontiac plank road
leading to this city, arriving here about
or O'Clock in the evening, and the next
heard OF them they were safely enjoying !
their freedom i'm Canada.
Since the above was in type, our cores |
pondent at Pontiac writes that rumor was |
current that Mr.. Perry is defaulter to the |
bank in large sum, but to what extent is |
not known. The safe can not be opened, as |
he has the combination of the inner lock-
Therefore it can not be ascertained how |
much money there is in it, or how much !
money he has taken away with him. A |
amount had been deposited in |
,he bank by the citizens of Pontiac, which, |
t is feared, will be total loss. The future |
llone will determine whether this money is
n the safe, or in Perry's possession.