The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-17
supposed Abduction of Young Girl.

ARREST AND DISMISSAL OF A SUSPECTED PAR
TY--A SINGULAR AFFA1R--A MYSTERY THAT
CANNOT BE SOLVED.
from the baltimore Gazctte.I
East Baltimore has a genuine sensation.
Miss Annie Town, young woman about
sixteen years OF age, residing with her
mother and grandfather, Mr.. Edward Kir-
by, who is about seventy years Of age, at
No. 800 cast Pratt street, one door west Of
Wolfe street, has disappeared from her
home under circumstances that give the
gossips plenty to talk about. In Tuesdays
paper an account was published of the ar
rest OF man named L. FL. Lud-
wig, charged with her attempted ab-
duction. He was discharged from
custody, there not being evidence
sufficient to detain him, and shortly after
the young girl left the house, took car ut
the corner OF Pratt and Ann streets. since
which time she has not been heard from by
her friends and relatives. The full facts Of
the case are "a follows: For several days
past Miss Annie has been packing her trunk
to leave her home. Her mother, who is the
widow OF the mate Of u ship who was
stabbed and killed by sailor about two
years ago at foreign port, is deaf and dumb,
and fromthe signs made to her by her daugh-
ter she was under the impression that her
daughter was going away to get married,
and gave her consent. Next door, however,
an uncle OF the girls resided, named Edwin
Kirby, who, with q younger Kirby, her
cousin, and others of the family. did not
like the departure OF Annie under such
circumstances, and were on the alert to
thwart any such movement on her part.
Between and O'Clock Monday afternoon
three young men drove up in q barouche to
the corner OF Pratt and Wolfe streets. The
Kirby family sllspecting these were the alb
ductors approached them in an exciting
manner. and two of them lett the barouche,
while the third walked past the house, and
on being beckoned to by Annie he entered
the house, but it being made too warm for
him he shortly left and proceeded up town,
While the neighborhood was still in state
OF excitement Mr.. Ludwig appeared in q
carriage, which was turned around in front
OF the house, and it stood stationary in the
middle OF the street.
Miss Annie Town.stood upon the step,
neatly arrayed in handsome dress OF dark
blue silk, with hat OF the latest mode, neat
gloves, ribbons, ETC., and beckoned to him.
The younger Kirby rushed out and pulled
Ludwig from the carriage, and Officer
Moreland was requested to take him i'll Gus
tody on the charge OF attempting to abduct
the young girl. He did so, and conveyed
his prisoner to the Eastern District police
station, followed by q large and excited
crowd. No charge being made against him
there, he was dismissed by Lieutenant Aud
after consultation with Justice Farlow, the
police magistrate OF the district. The
KirbyS and the others present returned
home, aud in short time after the
girl left her home, leaving her trunk be-
! hind. As the family are well known in
that section OF the city the affair has created
great excitement, and was the common topic
of conversation yesterday. Miss Town is
said to be quiet and well-behaved young
! girl, and nothing is known to her detriment
until these occurrences. Her family and
| friends are at a loss to understand her mo
tive in leaving home with young man for
New York, which WAS stated to be their
destination. How the matter will end re-
mains to be seen, and the curious are anX-
iolS to ascertain the elimination Of the mat
| ter. BY chapter 324 Of the acts OF the last
General Assembly the abduction OF female
under eighteen years OF age, or her enticc-
ment from home for immoral purposes, or
the harboring or secrcting OF such female,
is declared misdcmeanor, and is punish
able with imprisonment in the pcnitentiary,
! in the discretion of the court, not exceeding
4 term OF eight years. |.