Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-10-29
THE EXPLOITS OF A B1oAmrsr.

Whether the romance OF real life exceeds
that of fiction, may be an undecided ques-
tion, but certainly some of the incidents and
transactions connected with the sentiment
of love and the history of marriages very
often exceed the bounds of the credible.
There is something singularly pathetic in
the spectacle of trusting innocence betrayed,
yet so common is it becoming in these days
of lax morality that we forget to pity and to
realize the crime. The following singular
case, developed in this city during the past
week, will, no doubt, excite surprise and
cause the hearts of tImorous maidens TO
grow more distrustful than ever in the truth
of the "sterner SEX"
The story opens in the pretty little village
of shelbina, in Shelby county, Missouri.
Here there was living a young man named
Lamon A. Colwell, who was engaged in the
intellectual occupation OF school teaching.
During his residence at the village he made
the acquaintance of an estimable young
lady named Miss Belle Owens, daughter OF
a widow oil that name. The acquaintance
soon passed into intimacy, and finally ripen-
ed into love, at least on one side. There ap-
pears to have been some opposition to the
match on the part of the mother Of the girl,
and an elopement finally took place. The
young couple crossed the river to Illinois
where they were married. They came 10
this city on marriage tour, and then went
as far as Memphis. Here they remained
some days and then returned to this city.
About this time II appears Colwell either
began to get short of money, or tired of his
young bride. When they had been in this
city some time he sent her home to her
mother, saying that he had run out of money
and was going out on the plains. II SO hap
pens that the mother Of the girl is a sensible,
clear-headed woman. From the circum.
stances under which her daughter was semi
home, she Immediately suspected something
was wrong, and soon succeeded IN finding il
out. She managed to obtain some OF hii
correspondence, and was led 10 believe tha
the husband of her daughter, instead of be
ing out on the plans, was at Alma, Illinois
near Belleville, and on terms of intimacy
with young lady there named Miss Drache
Mrs. Owens Immediately determined on as
certaining the facts of the case by persona
inquiry She came to this city, where sh
had an interview with the Chief of Police
and informed him of the facts and then pro
ceeded to Alma. She was not in time how
ever. On Monday last Colwell had perps
trated second marriage with the Youn
lady above named, whose acquaintance b
formed when teaching school at that plact
On Thursday, Mrs. Owens, arrived in Alms
and on ascertaining the facts immediatel
went TO Belleville and procured warran
/, On returning to Alma she found Colwe
1 had left the place She came again 10 til
: city and placed the matter in the hands
the Chief of Police. It was thought Il
man had come to this city and inquire
n were Immediately instituted, and on Frida
evening he was arrested. He did not appei
t. very deeply impressed with his situation
!, and did not attempt to conceal his ofiens
q He is young man probably somewhat ov
twenty four years Of age, and not bad loo
ing. Heis from the Easl, and some pathet
letters were found on his person from
mother, whom 1t appears, he had neglecte
! He consented to be taken back to Bellevil
: for trial, and Mrs. Owens expressed hers
to the Chief determined to see the case pr
secuted with the utmost rigor.-Ss. Louis !
publican, 21st. .tlsnN4. reH