The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-26
MUTUALLY MARRIED.

Testimony in the Case of Captain Gordon
for the Abduction Of Addie Bresnan, the
Fourteen-Year-Old SCHOOLGIRL.
New York, Dec 1S.-Some interesting tes-
timony was brought during the trial, this
morning at Jersey City, Of Captain George
+. Gordon for the abduction of Addie Bres-
nan, the schoolgirl from Astoria, on the Sd
inst. The defense claimed that Addie Bees
nan is the lawful wife of Captain Gordon,
under the laws of the State Of New York, aad
upon that ground objected s. her testifying
as a witness. The Court ove.sule the OBJ
lection, and she testified to facts of the alb
duction already familiar to the public. The
letters OF the girl to Gordon were then read.
They contained many terms of affection and
endearment, and were addressed: "My dear
George" my precious Id" my DEAR"
and were signed: "Your afectionate wife,
and Your devoted wife" One of them
contains the following: II was wishing,
while was mending your gloves, that was
performing the duty of a lawful wife, and /
will try and make your future life happy. L
wish we were preparing to leave Astoria"
Says another: "Oh, my dear husband, my
constant occupation shall be 10 make you
The following somewhat novel marriage GER
tificate was then read, Gordcn testifying that
il was signed by himself and Addie on No
vember b:
This is TO cerclfy that we, Addie Bresnan and
George Gordon, both "a Astoria, Long Island City,
day been mutually married to each other bv our
own free viii and consent and by repeating GER
tain portions % the Episcopal marriage service,
ana by the placing OF n ring on the fourth finger
of the left hand of the aforesaid Addie Bresnan.
And, although performed without any minister or
legnlized officer OF the law we consider IL Just as
binding 20 ourselves, and shall oct accordingly.
And we have this day signed this maria e
agreement with our own free Will, aud consider it
ADprE b. GoRDox.
GEORGE +. GORDON.
Dated Astoria, Nov. 2. 1882.
The letters and certificates were admitted
as evidence. The defendant then gave his
testimony. He said he gave Adde a plain
gold ring on the day they left, December 3;
met her at fifteen minutes before . o'clock
outside a drug store at Astoria, and asked
her. VIII You get married to-dayr' and
she answered YES" Took her school,
books 20 Koehler's store. and then she ac-
companied him 10 his room. where he.paciled
her sachel and started for the cars, and went
to Comptroller Grants Office. Comptroller
Grant is a trustee of the mining Companies
in which | am Interested" said the witness.
Il procured from him n letter TO the Mayor
Told the Mayor ! would like to got mar
ried Tie Mayor said: she is too
young; can't you get some Witnesses
Went out and said 10 her: at seems impos-
sible to have the marriage ceremony per-
formed" Witness asked her ii she WAS will
ing 10 20 and live with him rs man and wife.
Sho said she was. Then went 20 Taylor's Ho-
tel, jersey City: left her In the parlor; went
down and registered as George I. Gordon aud
wife. Baltimore When asked what his busi-
ness IL, lac said; ~ am Secretary and Trustee
of number of Mining Companies on
cross.examnation the defendant was cool
and answered cautiously. lie said lac had
commanded several sailing vessels, he said
he had asked n clergyman named Phillips TO
unite Addio and him two or three days be-
fore they came away.
Prosecutor-Mhat did you do that for. II
you considered yourself already married.
Witness Because wanted him 20 wed us
again II would be better
observation-disclosures IL was better cere-
monyP
witness-No. / considered the other good
enough.
Proseoutor-Thcn why did you ask him2
Witness-Just 10 save talk.
Prosocutor-Why didn't you 80 10 the May
or's Office with herr
Witness-Didn't think IL necessary
Proseentor-Then you came over to Jersey
Citv. Why?
Witness-On little wedding tour.
A verdict OF guilty was returned.