The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-28
THE FLATHERS FAMILY.


The st. Louis Globe-Demoerat on yesterday
gives the following account of the troubles OF
Mrs. J. B. Fathers, who abandoned her hus-
band here last week to go away, presumably,
"with o handsomer mani"
]. 3. Fathers, of Indianapolis. ia of his way to
ST. Louis in search of his wife and thirteen year
old daughter, who, 1t is alleged, decamped from
home on November Is. Mrs. Fathers. before
leaving home. sold some property for $500 which
was worth 5000, and also took with her a couple
of beds and all the dishes in the Fathers house-
hold. man named David II Shaneberger was
very attentive in helping the runaway to dispose
of her property, aud, as his wife reports him
missing simultaneously with Mrs Fathers, it
was supposed in Indianapolis that the pair had
flown together.
A Globe Democrat reporter located Mrs. Flatn-
ers on South Sixteenth street last night with her
little daughter hut ShanebeTger WAS not there.
The reporter knocked at three or four doors on
Sixteenth street, below Market. and woman
with thirteen-year-old daughter lived in any of
the houses. At No. 2o6 the hired girl vino
answered the nell was confronted with the ques-
ton: 'DO Mrs Fathers and her daughter stop
here2" ''There's no sueh person in the house,
bur there is lady and child who have been in
this house about a week. Her is Mrs.
Moore" The woman known as Mrs Moore
heard the conversation ana came down stairs.
She acknowledged that she was Mrs. Fathers,
and invited the newspaper man upstairs to her
apartments, where her little girl, May, was in
bed. The runaway wife is about forty five years
old NOT at all pre- possessing in appearance. She
confessed that she had come to st. Louis with
Shaneberger, bnt on last Saturday night he dis
appeared, and she knows nothing OF Ills where
abouts. Mrs. Fathers says she don't care about
Shanebergrr going away, bur monrns the loss of
$425 of her money, which she alleges that he
took with him.
"Tell me about your experience since you left
homt2" Queried the newspaper man.
"My husband and Idifn'J agree very well. and
he often said that he intended 10 leave me. He
said he was tired of me. and actually hated me.
made MP my mind to run away with my little
girl, May. Staneherger-I wish he in the
enitentIary-vOlunteered TO sell some prOperfy
w owned
He held on to my money with the excuse that
he wanted 70 deposit it in bank for me. When
we arrived in ST. Louis, Shaneberger got a room
for ua, my daughter and |, for he was never
criminally intimate with me, at 1913 Pine
street. where | passed by the mar of Mrs.
Moore. We staid there one week and then
moved to 205 South Sixteenth street, Whenever
asked Shaneberger for IL settlement he would
promise to give me an account of my expenses.
hut he never did so. Last Saturday night he
walked out with the remark, well! Well! and
that's the last I've seen of him. On Sun
day afternoon l found S75 in
velOpe in the bureau drawer of my
room. and all the rest OF my
terday telegranhed TO my son in indianapolis
where he could find Inc, and TO come on at once.
He answered and wanted to know what was the
natter. This morning I sent dispatch to my
husband to- come after Immediately as
wanted to go home. l can't imagine why ever
made such fool of myself as to run away from
home. But l haven't done anything wrong.
Shaneberger never occupied my room; did he,
Mays"
Mrs. FlatnerS appealed 10 her daughter q
pretty little girl, who verified hsr statement.
Mrs. Fathers and her daughter occupy two
rooms on the second floor of 206 South Sixteenth
street, which has an excellent reputation in the
neighbOrhoOd, and the landlady is a lady of good
breeding and refinement.
1t is understood that Mr. Fathers is very
much ineensed against his wife, and wants only
to secure his child, but May declares she will
not return home witnO out her mother
The andlady WAS very much Mortified to hear
the kind of Ooarders she was sheteriHg, hut
says they were very quiet and well behaved.
The parties gave the names of MIR. and Mrs
Moore, aud the little girl called the man "papa."
He WAS very attentive to his supposed wife and
daughter, and the landlady says not only did all
tfe chores, such carrying coal and building
fires, bus occupied the rooms at night. One
suspcious circumstance which attracted the
landlady's attention was that Mrs. Moore new
er spoke of her relatives.
shaneberger. Mrs Fathers thinks, is about
her age and resembles her husband in personal
appearance. She says she is satisfied that
Shanebereer ran away with her 10 get the
money which obtained from selling her
property. He paid amOnth's rent at 206, and
had, Mrs Flathers alleges, between $500 and
$500 of her money when he struck his tent and
quietly stole away.