The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-05-16
A Cooper County Farmer in &c.
dalia Looking for His
Better Half.
She Eloped With a Peripa-
tetic Book Agent, Leaving
Her Children Behind.
A Canvass of the City Shows that
She Was Here and Left at
1890 Last Night.

When train No. 5 arrived from the east
this morning it had as passenger q
Cooper county farmer named Henry Thirk-
ield, whose home is some three miles eas,
of Upton. When he alighted at the
Garrison house, he met Officer Carnes,
and after assuring himself that the gen
tleman was one of the city's guardians, re-
lated a story that caused the officer To
sympathize with and offer him all the as
sistance in his power.
He STAGED that he WAS married nearly
three years ago To Ms, Sarah Winters, a
resident OF Cooper county, whose father
owns large farm between Upton AMI
BoOnville.
THEIR Welded LIFE.
up to a few weeks ago, was all that could
have been desired, and two children, a girl
and a boy. had blessed their union.
Thirkield owns considerable land in
Moniteau and Cooper counties. and is also
an extensive cattle dealer. He is man
enty-eighu years of age, while his wife is
but twenty-five, and both handsome and
accomI llshed.
About six months ago a book agent,
ndfiSu NrcO appear
ance at the home of Mr.. Thirkeild, and
desired to remain over night. The re-
quest was granted, and the stranger was
made to feel at home. This was Wedne
dav, and on Thursday morning he arose,
partook OF breakfast, and asked the
amount of his bill.
Mr. Thirkield had taken quite liking
to Flanders, and told him there was NO
charge, whereupOn the agent returned
thanks and
TOOK HIS DEPARTURE.
urday of the following week, when
Flanders again appeared and said he
would like to remain over Sunday, and Of
course he was cared for, and most agree
ably entertained by Mrs Thirkield and
her husband
Monday morning he again started on
his travels, saying he was going to Moni-
team county, but would probably return
and say farewell to his newly found
friends ere he left that SEE
ton of country. And he was as good
as his word, for he made three different
visits, the last one being Sunday last.
He was always received cordially by the
husband, and subsequent facts have devei-
oped that the wife was only too
glad to entertain him.
Yesterday Mr. Thirkield had business al
California, and left his wife and children
at home, saving he would return in the
evening. No sooner had he taken his de
parture than
THE UNFAITHFCL WIFE
was met by Flanders, according, il now
thought, to previous arrangements, and the
two decided upon an elOpement. Hastily
were call the arrangements cOnsummated and
when the west-bOund train arrived at Tip
ton, Yesterday afternoon, Flanders and
Mrs. Thirkield were at the depot ready to
take passage for Sedalia Her two children
she Left with neighbor, saying she was
going to town and would return in the
evening. She had, however, secured all of
her valuables, together with some $500 in
money, and it is certain had no intention
of seeing her husband or Titles ones agair
When Thirkield returned home, about
dusk last evening, he was greatly surpris-
ed to find
HIS CASTLE DESERTED,
and oi course he became greatly alarmed.
The first place at which he called was the
peighbor's where the children had been
left, and there he learned that bis wife had
gone to Upton in company with Flanders.
Instantly the truth flashed upon him, but
he determined to convince himself before
proceeding hastily, SO returned home AMI
fOupd that the frail woman had taken all
her valuables and cash. This was all the
proof he desired, and he at once com
menced making arrangements for follow
ing the guilty couple. He left the chill
dren with his neighbor, and late last
night visited Upton, where he ascertained
that
HIS WIFE AND FLANDERS
had taken passage on the west-bound train
Yesterday afternoon. AS they did
not purchase tickets, he could but
surmise as to their destination, SD
concluded to come to Sedalia and see if he
could learn anything regarding them.
Such was, in brief, the story Thirkield
related to Carnes, and solicited his assist
ance. Together they visited all the hotels,
but no trace of them could be found. A
gentleman was discovered, however, who
had seen man and woman answering To
the description of Flanders and his COM
paniOn enter a coach on
CONDUCTOR MExRIFIELD's TRAIN,
at 1880 last night, and Thirkeild, after
Questioning, became con-
vinced that they we're the fugitives. He
spent the time here until 1880 o'clock this
morning, when he boarded the east-bOund
Pacific train and returned home.
In conversation with a BAz0O reporter,
he stated that he would take tO-nigh. s
train for ST. Louis, where he would en-
deavor to apprehend the couple. In case
he did, he would do his utmost to persuade
his wife 20 return, but in case she refused,
he would be compelled to permit her to do
as she seemed inclined.
Mr.. Thirkield seemed to be very much
Of gentleman, and he rs certainly de-
serving Of sympathy in his affection.
XVo, cop oaSilv m a 10 vonr Sk IN w hits.