Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-12-15
INTERESTING DIVORCE CASE,


MANY YEARS or HAPPINEss-PLkNs TO KID
NAP THREE cHmDREN AT WEST cHKsTER-1HR
FAILURE AND THE MEN ARRESTED.
From the Reading, Pa, Eagle, OF Friday evening,
We copy the most interesting account Of the DIR.
Bruner divorce case, aud the subsequent struggle
OF the doctor to take possession OF his children,
that we have yet seen in print 1t "a as follows {;
Wednesday night, ct West Chester, the cele-
bratcd divorce ease Of DIR. Bruner formerly of
MorgantOWn, this county, aud his wife, reached
the highest pitch OF excnemeht, and next to tho
Udderzook murder nothing has created so pro-
found sensation la that section for years.
The Bruner divorce case has not found its way
into print to any extent, though it has created
quite stir not only in West Chester, but also in
DOWninktoE n, OOatesville. Wamington, Balli
more, Philadelphia, aud aleo in Reading. The
customary effort OF procuring tho children in the
case also the case in this Instance, and for the
past two months the three bright, interesting chill
drcn with their mother Mrs. Bruner, have been
the object of alleged kidnappers sent out by the
prosecution. An open attempt was made to rob
the mother oil her children, Wednesday night at
West Chester, but In this they failed.
DIR. Bruner, the husband, was born near Nor.
gautown, Berks county, and is now about 40 years
OF age. Many years ago. he removed TO San Franz
cisco, where he married d-his present wife. She
was one OF the most be1ntiinl aud accomplished
ladies in San FHpcisco, and her father was
wealthy and in high position there. They have
three children, hoy aged ten, and two little
daughters.
Mrs Bruner is a blonde of the highest type; Of
medium height, petite figure and of brilliant ed-
ucatlon aud accomplishments. She came east
about year ago, us she says. in obedience 10 the
instructions of hsr husband. BY the accounts of
Mrs. Bruner 1t appears that for the past few years
the husband and wife did not live as happily as
before and to separate Tor a timG Mrs. Bruner
was allowed to go wherever she pleased, having
obtained written agreement to receive from her
husband $500 per month for the maintenance and
support of herself and dchidren. She came on TO
Berks eONnty, and visited the relatives Of her
husband in that and Chester county. She re-
mained here until last August, when she again re-
turned to California, leaving the children in good
hands down country Proccedngswefe then in
sututed for divorce. The wife was willing to
separate from her husband provided she was gwen
her children aud allowed sufficient nlimony for
their education aud support. This was refused,
and proceedings were at once instituted for die
Vorce, and several cTimino charges were fought
against her and a artaiu doctor in the vicinity OF
Coatesville Mrs. BTaner returned TO Chester
county. In the meanwhile her father failed in
business aud she was compelled TO rent her house
away for which she received $50 per month.
Upon this income tho wits supported and maln-
tained her little ones
During the past months many plans have been
resorted to- TO rob the mother of her children,
though none of them were successful. AT the
hotel inDowningtown, in where Mrs. BTuner and
children were sto ping, there was a constant
watch kept over them by their friends 1t ap.
pears that the wife is held in the highest esteem
and respect by tho most refined society in Chester
county. The married ladies of sD0wningtown
gathered about her, and their hus6aDds stood
guard as II their very lives depended upon the
ssue. An official Of Tins city, together with sew
eral officers proceeded 10 Chester county for the
purpose OF taking the children by legal process
but when arriving there they ascertained they
could not legally do so aud they returned. 1t Is
an abso ute fact that Mrs BTuner and friends are
60 determined to keep those children that they
viii resort to blood shed before they give them
up. The wife is a very shFewd lady when neces-
saTy though geneEaiiy speaking, abe is retiring
and exceedingly unassumlng.
In view of the pending divorce case in Califor-
MIA, commissioners created to slt at W est Ches-
ter on Wednesday Of this week TO take dispositions
to be forwarded to the California courts, aud it
was while TINS commission was in session that for
clble means were resorted 10 by the Doctor and
lhree Of his friends to get possession of his child
dren' which demonstR Rtiou was conceded and at |
tempted Is follows:
IL appears that rumors TO the effect that such |
an attempt " onld be made reached the cars of |
Mrs. Bruner ia the afternoon, and 10 guard |
against such an event she engaged the assistance
1f ftOfficer Carpenter 10 stand guard over her |
children during the night Accordingly with |
he putting Of the little ones to bed, Mr.. Carmen
er took his post Of duty and nothing occurred |
% cause alarm until about $50 o'clock. when /
he Doctor and his three stal waTt friends present.
ID themselves at the chamber door and demand
ID admission This demand was promptly de-
lied them by the officer, when force was resort
ID 10, lle door puAhed open and general melee
olIowed. in which struggle Officer Carenter
lid his best, and was soon joined by Mr. HAYES,
proprietor Of the house, who succeeded Ia restor
nc order. While this struggle was in progress.
Aiss Mary Hayesael some 1lher lady members
{ the holIse entered The room, aud took the
hildren away into other and safer quarters.
Without the parties being aware Of the act. A
arriage was in waiting in the shed adjoining
he hotel, for the purpose Of carrying the child
en- 10 Wilmington, had their efforts been sue
essfnl.
Concerning the application before the Ches-
or county court, the following is copy from
he court records OF the decision as giYenIby
udge Butler:
dec 10, 1873, argued and the defendant.
eelining TO make any order In respect To lie
hildren, it having been shown that the cues.
on Of their custody is at this time the subject
litigation in another court of competent iur-
dlctiOn."
As the case now stands, Mrs. Brnner Is still
/ the possession Of her children, and of the
artles engaged in the alleged kidnapping are
nder arrest. Mrs. Burners legal advisers
re- the Hon. Benz. Harris Brewster and Hon.
Gm. Raddally The affair has created great
xcitement, and It is evident that the symDa-
~ Of the entire community is with Mrs. Bfu-
er in this case.
"A ASsauvv.eSnS,.n-sA-