The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-09-12
from the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal

to Marshal Walker anu informed nm
that his daughter had run away from
him, and he thought that she was some
where in this city. Col. Walker asked
the man to give him an account OF the
matter, and from his statement it was
learned that the strangers name was
A. Il. Godfrey, and that his home WAS
in Denmark, Lincoln county, III this
State.
The missing daughters name was
Eliza, girl scarcely sixteen years Of
age. lie said she had run away with
a man named II. Z. Bailey, who lived
on Il farm adjoining Godfrey's, and who
had been paying considerable attention
to his daughter for three years: Mr.:
Godfrey went on to state that he had
missed his daughter on the 23d Of June
last, and since that time in searching
for her he had been I'LL over the
northwestern portion Of the State and
into Nebraska, travelling, it is thought,
over six hundred miles in a wagon. He
had finally came to Lawrence, hearing
that Bailey had brothcr-in-law living
in the city. Furnished with the name
of the relative, the marshal went in
search Of the girl, but no trace of her
could be found, and the father rcluc-
family concluded to abandon tho chase
and returned to his home. Hcrcmained
here over night to rest himself and his
worn-out horses and intended to start
in the afternoon of yesterday. About
noon the police, who had been furnished
with description Of the pair, saw
Bailey and Elizabeth driving into town
in a covered wagon. The father was
notified Of the discovery, and the mar
shall intercepted the team. The two
occupants were told to alight and taken
to the calaboosc, where they were
locked IN while the father determined
what to do.
At this stage OF affairs the writer
visited the young couple. Miss Eliza
was taking the matter very cody. She
is nice-looking and appearing little
lady, and appears old enough and smart
enough to decide all questions concern
ing herself. Mr.. Bailey, we found, had
been resident Of this place, having
married here u Miss Cummings, from
whom lie subsequently obtained a d.
vorce, or she Of him. Bailey makes
the following statement Of the reason
and mode Of his flight with the girl:
Her father is widower Of small
means, and she has sister about one
year younger than herself, and these
two girls have had to do, not only the
work about the house, but portion Of
the teamwork. Godfrey abused the
girls in the most shocking manner,
whipping and beating them and forcing
them to do the hardest kind of labor.
lie provided very poorly for his family,
and most Of the clothes which Eliza
has had for two years have
been purchased by Bailey. The
abusive freaks of the old man would
reach their highest pitch after Bailey
had made call on the daughter, and it
seemed then his passion knew no
bounds. The girl finally made up her
mind she could stand such treatment no
longer, and it was agreed between her
and Baily that she should leave her
fathers hemc and flee to the protection
Of friend who lived about three miles
distant. Here she was soon discovered
by her father, and Bailey took her to
the house ola friend named Delano,
who lived in Mcpherson county. She
straycd here about three weeks, and
hearing other fathers coming she met
Bailey in Salina by appointment. and
they started last Friday in wagon for
Lawrence. camping ont nights, and cx-
pcctcd to be married on their arrival
here. This was the statement made bv
Bailey.
After consultation with the marshal,
Godfrey concluded to take his daughter
home with him, and ordered the release
Of the prisoners. Walker, leaving the
father in the stable, took buggy and
drove to the calaboose for the daughter
whom he brought to the father, who
was waiting to receive back his Eliza
and take her again to the home she had
left. This, Bailey, who followed on
foot the buggy containing the girl, did,
not intend should be done, and had no
interference been made tusslc would
have ensued between the angry lover
and distracted father.
AS the girl approached, the father
told her to jump into the wagon and so
home with him. She refused to do so.
The father begged and entrcated. No
use, she would not go, but was deter
mined to remain with Bailey BY this
time quite crowd had assembled, and
the father. the daughter, and the lover
repaired to the rear of the stable,
where the threats Of one and the en-
treaties Of the other finally won the
old mans consent to their marriage.
Judge Norton was sent for and came
upon the scene. The party assembled
in the stable Office, while the eager