Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-08
The Disgraeeful Case of Seduction

The citizens of Bowling Green have had a
most dsgraceful case Of seduction on the tapis
for two weeks past, in which the Rev. w. Nc
ELwEE. of the Presbyterian Church, proves to
be the selucer of an interesting young lady, a
member of his Church.
This case s the more figrant from the dispar-
itv Of age between the scoundrel aud his victim
NCELwEE is a man IS years OF age, and las a
wife and three chill lren living in Bowling Green
His victim is bright young girl of H.
When the consequences of his Grim, became
manifest he is stated to have given the girl rec
pc for medicine by which, secretly, to obliterate
lis guilt: Failing to accomplish that purpose
he caused her to remove to the West, and by as :
sumiDg the position and circumstances Of a Wild
ow, of railroad employee, who had beon kllrd a
some two or three weeks previous, thus divert
public attention from himself.
The particular programme to be adopt ted. by
the villain at this iuucture is not clearly appa-
rent, a; the fa1le Of seduction developed more
rapidly than the circumstances Of the plot in
which he was engaged. The location OF the
girl was discovered BY an application to her un-
Gle, MIR. ADDISON FAY. for the sale Of some
property belonging to her, the proceeds Of which
she. "a the widow Gf the dead railroad man
needed for her support Possessing the clu, to
her location, GIlesburg, H., 9rs. FAY at once
proceeded ts thar place. where she found her ru
incl niece who. with agonizug sorrow con nfessed
that she had been seduced bv MCFLwEE. Mrs
| Fay brought her blck to Bowling Green pri gate
", and with the principal witness in the case at
hand, the leading members Of the Church met
Mr.. McELwER and charged him with The crime
ofseluction. That. he in1gn,ntly denied. and
assumed the position ola sllnlered mtn. The
official members of tie Church, sencel his
hvpocritioal preteuce by telling him that hi 5
victim had returned to Bowling Green, aud
would bs produced as a witness against him
! On hearing this he admitted his guilt, and sub
! sequentlY warrant was issued for his arrest,
| by which he was placed in jail, anil afterwards :
J liberated ON the condition of his instantly leav
Sing town. He of course, glaily accepted the
| cnnlilion, anl let for parts unknown, with the
elements of an acc 'mp'ishei villain anl scoun-
drel stlmn@l On his character and habits.
Snch ara ths l,tlils Of the case so far as We
have heard them.
The guilt Of this man is the more Aigrant
from the f,cis of his ag', siHHlipn ,nl th'
cred profession in which he was engaged. Sure
" if anv man should be mrIa to suffer The pen
atty Of the law il is he whose responsibilities tn
his apck are 80 much greater than those not TINS
cir 'umstiuced. Why then has this qlain been
allowed tn escape that punishment he so RICHLY
deserved? ~
An attempt has been made by unscrupuIous
members Of the press to cast a slur on the Church
and people to whom this wolf in sleeps cloth
ing administered. Such an attempt is dis
graceful and fendlike act Of meanuess. The
members Of that Church comprise some of the
hest and most worthy citizsns of this county
Mean indeed are they who attempt to disparage
others because one in whom they trusted and
from whom they expected better things, has
| proved himself a villain. The Presb yterian
| Church of Bowling Green, or any other Church
similarly circumstanced, will stand unsuied
such ordeal of slsnder and disgrace.