The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-19

n case OF more imam ordinary interest,"
was concluded last evening in the criminal
court, by which James w. Long, indicted
for perjury, was acquitted, and 10 now 8
free man. The case, from its inception to
sensational features, and its sudden termin-
alton on a technical objection to the valid
ity of the oath administered upon which
the perjury suit was founded was in keep
ing with the remaining characteristics of
the prosecution and defense.
THE HISTORY
of the case is substantially as follows:
James W. Long was young man, resi-
dent of Cedar county, Iowa. He was rails
ed on farm and was familiar with all the
duties and hardships incident to such agri-
cultural experience. He resided for several
years with relatives near Upton, and was
by them regarded as valuable man to
| have about the farm.
A short time ago Long was engaged by a
| neighbor whose name was Lang. The lat
ter owned beautiful farm in that locality,
| and by his management and judicious sale
| of the products of the place, had been ena-
bled to amass considerable fortune He
was regarded as man of influence, and
one whose good viii was priced and snmity
feared by the average denizen of that
county.
the Young farm hand, was not exactly pre-
possessing, although his subsequent sue
cess in the matrimonial line would demon
strate that he was not wanting in all the
features that 60 to make up captivating
man. He was quite industrious and by his
thrift and energy, soon obtained the good
opinion of the old folks, who regarded him
as valuable person to have on the farm.
of the young Lang The two
roomed together, worked together, and
for the most part attended the rustic par
ties and churches in each others company.
They were regarded as boon companions,
and being about the same age, an intimacy
sprung up that has not been severed by
the incarceration of Long and his trial
and acquit tai for perjury.
THE DAUGHTER
of the family. Annie Lang, became the
cause of all the trouble and her marriage
resulted in the law suit which terminated
in this city last evening.
Annie was, and is, a petite blonde,
whose light blue eyes and golden tresses
proved irresistible to the young Long, who
had been engaged for another purpose.
1t would appear from subsequent pro-
ceedings, that the young girl reciprocated
the tender feelings. and pictured to her
imaginations the young man as her ideal of
mapliness and successful farmer
The young girl was not generally consid-
cred old enough to contemplate matri
mony, and hence the parents neglected to
keep a secret watch over her movements
until after the two had enjoyed several
conversations, wherein they had pledged
their loves to each other.
PARENTS OPPOSITION.
The parental opposition to the affair
appeared to intensity the flames of affec-
ton, and secret meetings soon followed as
matter of course What was first
mere girlish Irritation, by the opposition
and watchfulness of her parents became
the romance of her life, and she vowed to
herself that no power on earth could sep
arate her from the object of her affection.
She changed Goldsmith's celebrated
couplet SO that it read:
sGirts want but little here below,
But they want that little Long.
The opposition soon became so pro-
nounced that the young man found that
it would be necessary for him to leave the
farm, and he SO informed the f4rmer's
daughter. The result of tie interview was
that she agreed to elope with him. The
two were to visit some place where mar
riage could take place when they would
become man and wife.
THE ELoPEMENT
A few evenings after the arrangements
ture from the farm, and was soon after
wards followed by the young girl. They
came directly to this city, where a mar
riage certificate was obtained and the mar
riage ceremony was performed in Moline.
In securing the certificate, Long was obliged
to swear that the young lady was over
eighteen years of age, when later develop
ments proved that such was not the case.
AS soon as the flight of the young lady
was discovered, the irate father hastened
to follow her, but he failed to overtake the
fugitives until after they had become man
and wife. The old man was very angry as
might naturally be expected, but he was
powerless to command the return of his
daughter without she consented to return
with him. and her husband interposed no
objection to such journey.
In about week after the elopement
the daughter did return home on a visit, |
and while she was gone,
LONG
commenced proceedings against his son-in-
law for perjury in swearing that Annie |
Long was over eighteen years of age when
the ma rria pe certificate was iSSuad IN him