Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-21
A DOUBLE ELOPEMEEr.
One of the Women Already Mar
ried.
Says She Was "COnjured"-The
Other One Gets Married Also.



One OF the most noveland Interest,"
ing instances Of eOnjugal infelioity
woman's frailty was witnessed in this
city yesterday. The story IL peculiar
aud, while shocking in the utter degra.
dation of its actors, yet Aptly illus.
trates the force aud fervency Of true
love.
Among the leading citizens Of the
southwest corner of Walker county,
Georgia, we're James Gam and wife.
They were related to the leading fam
lilies Of that neighbOrhood and few
we're held in higher esteem. The
couple were married about Eve
months ago, the woman being a daugh,
ter Of Sewer Powell, one Of the best
known citizens in that section. She
was a cOmely girl, but her education
had been sadly ne elected and she grew
up fully imbued with all the supersti-
tions Of her region Her bosom friend
was Mary Bryant, a daughter Of d.
Bryant, who likewise stood high 10
that section. A few weeks after the
wedding the girl discovered that she
had cast her lot with a man whom she
did not love, aud while pining over
her fatal mistake met Henry OOpen-
ger, a handsome young man, who
worked in that locality. The oft told
story Of woman's Inconsistency was re.
peated. COpenger 500 fell q victim
to her charms, and his feeling was re-.
o%iprocated with fervor. His com
panion, John Gray, by a strange coin
cidence, became enamored Of Mary
Bryant. The four schemed and
plotted, and finally arranged q plan Of
elopement. Wednesday morning Mrs.
Gam aud Copenger hurriedly left the
house together, followed by Gray and
Mary Bryant, and before the neigh
bors could be alarmed they were out
of sight.
A posse was quickly organized by
the outraged husband, consisting Of
Sewer Powell, father Of the fGithless
wife; Epson Powell, her uncle; W. G.
Carson, uncle Of the Bryant girl;
Nose Bryant, her brother; Green
Powell and Pink Gam, all relatives
OF the girls, They gave chase, and
alter following two days traced then
TO South Pittsburg and again to Hook,
er's Switch ,ascertaining that they wer,
coming toward Chattanooga. The posi-
arrived here yesterday morning
and with the assistance Of Policemen
Shellow and Mitchell succeeded il
a house in the Fifth ward. They re-
sisted stoutly, but we're finally over
powered and taken before Recorde
Sherwood. 1t was ascertained tina
they had been in The house since Sun
day.
As the party crowded into the Re
corder's Office they presented strAng
appearance. The two prisoners werI
at the dock while the outraged hus
band and father glared at them will
threatening looks and muttered oAths
When the girls we're led in they brokI
from the officers and attempted to q,
to the arms Of the prisoners, but tn
bystanders prevented.
Alter some consultation Gray agreed
to marry the Bryan girl. This wa
readily acquiescedin by ell parties, ant
they straightway left for the court
house and in the twinkling Of an ey,
were made man and wife by COUNTY
Judge McRee, thus ending all charge
against them.
I, In the meanwhile Copenger wa
conducted to Jail. The degraded wifi
tore herself from her husband anC
father and attempted to follow him t
prison, aud when prevented, begged
with streaming eyes for a divorce tina.
she could marry him, "the only mar
she ever loved" She was taken charg,
! of by her father.
Her story illustrates the superstition
Of her section. She claims that Co
penger coDjured her with the left hinC
loot of a grave yard rabbit, and she wa
not responsible for what followed. II
there is a boom in the left hind foot Of
grave yard rabbit market the cAus,
can be easily OWNED.
Copenger will be tried TO- day.