The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-05-26
A Nesc York scheme for Raisfn0:fhe
Wind,
New York Special

III pursuit Oh llNellnOou, nas,Deen mace
public. Early in April, Joseph
Lopez and Georgiana Morrison, the man
an adventurer, and the girl feeble
minded daughter of a wealthy citizen,
presented themselves at the residence OF
the Rev. c. c, Tiffany, and were united
in matrimonial bonds. The groom has
this week been served with summons to
appear before the Supreme Court on May
IL, and show cause why the marriage
should not be declared void. The action
is brought in the brides maiden name.
1t is also the intention of the BRIDES rela-
tives to present proofs which they have
in their possession to secure lopez
indictment for conspiracy with intention
to hlackmail
The man Lopez has been developing
his scheme for nearly year, with the
cooperation of some of the servants
employed in the family of Mr.. Frederick
S. Morrison, father of the young girl.
He frequently visited the house for the
estensible purpose of calling upon Sarah
J. Lilly, the family cook. In this man.
ner he contfived to secure an introduce
ton to Miss Morrison. Soon after she
met him on the street and was recog-
nized by him. The street meeting,
apparently casual, increased in fire.
quency, though it is said Miss Morrison
first sought to avoid Lopez's advances
Meanwhile the domestic, Sarah, told
Miss Georgiana that Lopez was very
wealthy man, and that he was settling
her husbands estate for her, hence his
frequent visits to the house. Finally
Miss Morrison became sufficiently inter
ested to make appointments with her
protessed edmirer, wrote letters to him,
and received his attentions with view
to marriage. OF all these proceedings
her family were ignorant. Soon after
the marriage, of which they were also
ignorant, it was observed that the young
lady was packing her trunk and making
other preparations for departure. She
confded to some friend the fact that she
had been married and was soon to leave
with her husband.
The family were at once informed, and
at first believed it to be some vagary of
the young woman's mind, for, according
to their statements, she was injured by a
fall when about three years old that i'm
paired her mental faculties. When
questioned as to her marriage she de-
oiared it to be fact, and produced the
certificate. Her brother fastened at
once to the officiating clergyman and
ascertained its genuineness. The young
woman was locked up in her room for a
few days, and has since been removed
from the State. When she confessed to
her marriage she recounted the part the
cook had taken in the affair, and how
she had advised the marriage, since
Lopez was very rich, and her father
would be pleased with and proud of the
match.
The matter was put in the hands OF
expert detectives, for the purpose Of
learning who Lopez was and what mo-
tive had inspired him to thus take
advantage of the weakness of an unfor'
tunate girl. One of them made the
acquaintance of Lopez, dined with him
took him to theaters, and completely
wormed his way into the mans conf
dence. He learned that Lopez's matri
monial venture had been inspired by
the belief that it would be immensely
profitable, having satisfied himself thai
the family would not permit the mar
rage to stand, and would not desire the
publicity of procuring divorce OF
separation. He believed that Mr.. Mort
son would give him handsome sum t.
relinquish all claim and leave thu
country. To negotiate with the family
lawyer was necessary. The detective
recommended one, in reality brother
detective, who had opened an office fol
the purpose in the Aston House. Ate
investigation the pseudo lawyer agreed t.
take the case for one-quarter of what h
could obtain from the young lady
father. The cook, Sarah, had previousl!
been promised five thousand dollars TO
her share of the work, she havin,
advanced money to Lopez to the exten
of sixty dollars, part of which sh'
borrowed from the family's farmer a
Mount Vernon. The detective obtained
possession of the girls letters to Lope
and other evidence in his possession.
Fortunately Lopez did not intensif.
the wrong by fulfilling his marriag
relations with the girl. He concocte'
and consummated the plot merely 70
speculative reasons. 1t is stated that h
hoped to receive one hundred tnousan,
dollars to relieve the family of hi
embarrassing presence. 1t has been N
ported that Mr.. Morrison offered Lope
twenty thousand dollars to leave tn
country. Mr.. Morrison denies this, bu
says he has received word that Lopez
willing to resign all claims to son-in-lav
ship and will leave the country on til
payment of two thousand dollars. M
Morrison will not pay even this amour
as he is confident that the Suprem
Court will declare the marriage vol
He chsracterizes the affair as one of Il
vilest conspiracies that was ever col
cocted to wreck the piece of hapI
home.