The daily gazette., 1880-08-03
FIFTH EDITION.
THE LEEF-wILsoN CASE.

The readers of the GAZETTE will
perhaps remember the excitement
that was created at Greehback, on
the Delaware Western, by the at
tempted elopement of Miss Jennie
Wilson, daughter of James Wilson,
with young man named Joseph III.
Leef, who was in the employ of
Jennie's father. The elopement
was spoiled by the parties being
pursued and overhauled by the use
of a revolver. Subsequently man
whose last name is George, who as
sisted Miss Wilson in her endeavors
to elope, was badly beaten up by
members of the Wilson family. He
had John w. Wilson arrested on the
charge of assault and battery with
intent to kill, and at a hearing be-
fore Esquire Vandegrift he was held
in the sum of 81 900 bail to answer
the charge at Court.
1t was thought that there would be
no further trouble ii the matter, but
these thoughts did not prove true.
After Miss Jennie had been taken
home from her attempted elopement, a
strict watch was kept on her move
ments, and she was not ESQ it is al
leged) allowed to communicate with
the outside world unless in the pres
ence of the members of the family.
She did manage, however, to COM
municate with her lover through the
mails, and by this means she succeed
ed in informing him how she was
watched, and kept prisoner at her
home.
Her lover by every known strategy
endeavored to release her, but every
attempt was failure, as she was too
strictly watched. He became desper-
ate, and at last happy thought en-
tered has mind, the clouds were clear
cd away, and as he saw that the frui-
ton of his hopes were about to be re-
allied, happy smile fitted across his
features.
AS the beginning of the end he ap-
peared before Judge L. e. Wales on
Saturday and swore out writ of
hd6eds corpus against the young lady's
father, James Wilson, and her brother,
John w. Wilson. In the writ he
charged them with OBTAINING Miss Jen-
ME against her will, and that she was
not permitted to leave the house.
The writ was placed in the hands of
Constable Neary, who served it on the
parties yesterday, commanding them
to appear before Judge Wales this
morning for hearing, and bring with
them the person of Miss Jennie Will
son.
The hearing took place at Ii O'Clock
in the office of John Wales Bisscll,
Esq, the arrested parties being pres.
ent, together with Miss Wilson and a
number of witnesses.
Ii. II. Pennington, Esq, appeared
for Leef, and w. G. Spruance, Esq,
for the Wilson's.
In the return to the writ, the father
and son cited that Miss Jennie Wilson
was twenty-one years of age ON Sun
day, and that she resided voluntariyat
home; that she was not now, or at any
other time forciably detained; that she
was free to go and come any time, and
that she appeared at the hearing vol
UNFAIRLY; and that the proceedings had
been instituted by j. w. Leef without
her consent or knowledge.
After the return had been read
Judge Wales said he did not see any
use of examining Witnesses, as the
young lady was of age and could do as
she pleased.
Mr.. Pennington-From the facts of
the case which we have in our posses
sion, the young man had good grounds
for having a writ issued.
Judge Wales-I do not think il OF
any use to go any further in the case,
| will hold short interview with Miss
Wilson in regard to the matter, and il
she says she has perfect freedom that
will end the matter. She is now of age
and can go where she pleases.
Mr.. Pennington-That is all l
want.
Judge Wales-Miss Wilson you are
at liberty to go where you please, but
before you make your choice, would
advise you TO weigh well the admoni-
tions of your parents.
Mr.. Spruance The application for
this writ was made while the young
lady was minor, and | must be mis-
taken if the father has no control over
his minor children. The question to-
| day is, now that she is twenty-one
years OF age is she deprived of her lib
erty. A man who undertakes to take
a minor from her fathers house, the
least penalty that he should suffer is
the payment of the costs.
Your Honor, before you are done with
this case desire YOU to admouish the
petioner and his friends to keep away
from Mr.. Wilson's premises, rs they are
trespassers and go there al the risk OF
their lives.
| Mr.. Pennington 1 am prepared Ia
show that this gentleman did stand in
close relation TO the young lady; in faci
they were betrothed, and were to have
been married on May 10, license hav-
ing been procured tor that purpose. ]
have letters of hers in which she vows
eternal constancy to the petitioner. BY
those letters we can prove hat she has
not been seen out IN any public place
unless accompanied by one of the family
When this writ was asked for we have
proof that she was forcibly detained By
the laws of this State young lady is OF
age at eighteen years for matrimonial
| engagements.
This concluded the arguments on both
sides, and Judge Wales stated thai he
had held an interview with the younp
lady, and as she stated she was free I6
20 and come AZ she pleased, he woulJ
dismiss the writ, and each side would be
compelled to pay their costs.
St Georges Democratic CIub,
MIDDLErowN, Del, Aug. 3, 1880.