The Osceola times., 1879-10-25
A BRIDEGROOM KIDNAPPED.
How young Man In Baltimore Was Pre-
vented From Marrying the Woman
Of His Choice.

vented From MARRYING the woman
Of His Choice.
Baltimore American.
There was an intense excitement ut
Calverton, in the western suburbs Of the
city; last night, over case Of forcible
kidnapping on the highway that occur
red not long after nightiall. About 8
o'clock hack was driven out the Frank
lin road, and in it were two young men
in swallow-tail coats and white neckties.
One was ]. w. Walker, residing at No.
81 North Charles street, the other Leo
Laley, an employe at Busey's photograph
gallery, on Charles street The former
was expecting to get married that even
ing, and the latter was his best man. As
the pair were rolling along, indulging in
the pleasant thoughts and conversation
natural in such an interesting situation,
they little thought that band of deer
mined men were laying IN wait in the
shadow of a little patch of woods,
ready to crush all their fond anticipa-
tons The hack was not far from the
first toll-gate on the Franklin road, when
the driver was suddenly aroused from
his complacent musings over the pros
pective size Of his fee for carrying brid-
al party by hoarse voices, which com
manded him to halt, and his horses
were grabbed and suddenly checked by
al half-dozen strong hands. Looking
about him, the affrighted driver saw
party Of men armed with guns and re-
volvers, who gathered about the doors of
the hack. Terrible blunderbusses were
pointed at the covering inmates, but
tall slenderman, who seemed to be the
chieftain of the band, called out in tone
| .xe al
young men inside the hack were natur-
ally horribly frightened, for it was i'm
possible for to know that the weapons
had been carefully left unloadcd for fear
of accidents. Still, under the circum-
stances, il was not to be wondered at, as
the doors of the hack were thrown open,
and several enormous horsc-pisto's were
presented at the heads of the young
men, the pale moonlight revealed two
faces as pale as the white cravats which
they had appropriately donned for far
different occasion: The chicftain of the
band, advancing TO the door of the hack,
commanded J. W. Walker to alight, and
after addressing him in few short and
angry sentences, turned him over TO
the: custody of some of his Lieutenants,
who, taking him by the arms, collar, or
wherever else they could get a grip, bore
him rapidly and stcrnly away to a point
where hack was in waiting, in which
they got In with him, and were borne
swiftly away. But whittier? That is q
profound mystery. Mr.. Lalcy was not
allowed to remain upon the scene after
the abduction of his companion, but no
sooner had he disappeared in the gloom
to his mysterious fate, than the driver
was ordered to turn about and convey
his remaining passenger back to the city.
"Who is to pay me my tareY cried the
unfortunate hackman, his golden visions
of splendid remuneration coming viv-
! idly back to him as soon as his fears that
, he had fallen into the hands of an ordin-
ary band of robbers had been dispelled.
Mocking laughter was the sole reply,
and, goaded with a frenzy, the hackman
lashed his horse into a gait of fully five
miles an hour, and at last came tearing
into the city at this furious rate Mr..
Laley Immediately sought out lawyer,
. and the matter was brought TO the attcn-
! ton of Captain Earhart, cf Northwest
ern Police Station, with an earnest ap-
! peal to keep it dark. A Sergent and
i two policemen were detailed to proceed
, to the scene Of the abduction, and thith-
cr the party proceeded, but, although
. they sought long and diligently, they
r could not discover any trace Of the miss
Q ing man.
, Something about the antecedent cir
!, cumstances did, however, get out, and q
. reporter of the American was successful
: in discovering one of the band of high
a waymen, and obtaining from him a
! statement of the remarkable affair. II
e appears that Mr.. J. W. Walker has for
$ some time past been paying his address
e es to the daughter of the late Cary Nc
= Clelland, Esq, and was actually engaged,
a when rumors derogatory to his character
| as gentleman of honor got into circula-
: tion. Mr.. +. p. Suter, Miss McClelland's
: brother-in-law, took the matter in hand
f and procured what he regarded as con-
$ elusive evidence of dissolute conduct on
] Mr.. Walkers part, and also the lack OF
e integrity in business matters These
Y charges Mr.. Walker vehemently denied
2 and Mr.. Suter said that he should have
5 every opportunity to clear himself, but
l that in the meantime his visits TO Miss
= McClelland must cease. Mr. Walker did
= cease his visits, but found means to COM
I municate with the lady, who, with wo-
= mans constancy, clung TO him through
0 good and evil report. Mr.. Suffers inves-
D tigation led him to the conclusion that
= in disposing of drug business on the
e corner OF Harlem avenue and Carey
G street Walker had grossly deceived the
r purchaser, Charles A. Henwood, by mis-
Y representing the extent of the business.
5 1t was charged upon Walker that he
2 made up a false cash-book and false
: prescription file, in order to make il ap-
1 pear that the business was much more
valuable than il really was. A suit was
: instituted by Mr.. Henwood to recover
: part Of the purchase money; which, it
was stated, was compromised yesterday
by Mr.. Walker, by the payment of
81 600. Mr.. Suter anticipated an attempt
, at an clopement, and watchers were on
J the lookout to prevent it. Mr. Suter de-
} termined that no marriage should take
place until he had done all he intended
to do in the way of displaying Mr..
= Walkers character to his bctrothed,
and, inasmuch a. the lady's liberty could
not well be restrained, he determined to
take Mr.. Walker into custody if he
should come after the lady lie then
made arrangements which resulted in
the scene described in the first portion
; of the article. and he il was who figured
as the chienaln of the band.
The police could not find Mr.. Sutcr
last night, although they searched for
him; but, as he is n gentleman of the
highest character and responsibility, ne
will doubtless be heard from soon
There are no fears for Mr. Walkers
safety, but meanwhile his whereabouts
is complete mystery.