Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-10-10
A Husband Frightened from Homo
His Wife InsulIed by n Wretch
Tho Guise Of FriendshlP.
TFrom the Chicago Tribune. !


On Wednesday afternoon complaint was
made at the Central Station that a man
named, d. E. Merrick, was at the house of
Mrs. Newcastle, at No. 5l5 South Halste J
street, where, by frequent unsolicited and
uncaled for visits, he had become terror
to Mrs. Newcastle on account of the base
propositions made by bim. Merrick they
found comfortably seated in the parlor, as
perfectly at home as if he owned the prem
ises. He was handcuffed and taken 10 the
armory. Yesterday morning the case came
before the police court for examination.
The lady complainant in the case, Mrs.
Newcastle, is q respectable and fine look
ing lady of thirty or thirty y-five years, and
her conversation gives evidence of cultiva-
tion and refinement. n,
Mrs. Julia Murzzy, witness in the case,
appears to be little older than Mrs. New
castle, who is said to be her sister. Mrs.
Murzzy keeps clearinghouse on Indiana
street, and it was here about four weeks
ago that Mrs. Newcastle first met Merrick.
He assumed to be an engineer and machin-
ist, aud becoming acquainted with her hus-
band, frequently called at their house. MIR.
Newcastle is third husband, it is stated,
Mrs. Newcastle having been divorced
from two husbands. who are still living
in the city. Making strong professions of
friendly interest in the Newcastles, Merrick
quite won the confidence of the husband,
and exercised much influence over him.
Ascertaining that Newcastle had had two
predecessors in the affections OF his wife,
Merrick sought him few days since and
told him secretly that one of his wife's for
mer husbands had just discovered the fact
of her marriage to him and was then plan
ming his arrest. He assured Newcastle that
the law in such cases was very severe, and
advised him to leave the country without
delay. Unprepared for this exigency, the
poor man (who seems to have been com
pletely duped) sold Merrick his household
goods and his time bill against the railroad
company which employed him, to raise
800 In money to run away with. He is
reported to be in Indiana, living under
an assumed name, afraid to have the slight
st trace of his whereabouts known to his
friends in this city. Mrs. Newcastle was
not aware of her husbands absence, until 1t
was limited by Merrick, who finally broach-
ed the subject, telling her that her husband
had eloped with woman of bad charac-
ter, but assuring her that he (Merrick)'
would be her friend and adviser still. He
has made his visits more frequently of late
endeavoring to prevail upon her to sub
nit herself entirely to his passions. Fail
ing in this by coaxing, he resorted to the
exhibition OF the bill Of sale of the furni-
tIIre, threatening to remove 1t II she did
not yield. She desired to ask lawyer, to
see If he had a legal claim upon the goods,
when he told her in an awful manner he
was Royal Arch Mason," and II her
complaints reached "the lodge" 1t would
result in horrible and mysterious death
to both. Mrs. Newcastle finally resolved
to risk the consequences, and attempt to
extricate herself from the meshes OF this
crafty villain, and, laying the matter be-
fore neighbor, Deputy Nelson was advis-
ed, and the arrest was made as above stat
ed. Merrick not being prepared to con-
front his aceusers, requested continuance
of the case until two o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon, which was granted, bail being
required for $500.