The Dawson journal., 1884-08-07
WITH A DUSKY GROOM.
LOVELY BALTIMORE MAIDEN sKIps
WITH COACEEE.

oieaCeo III baltimore by the elope'
ment of Miss Helen Owens with a
mulatto coachman, Jesse Platter.
Both are twenty eight years of age.
Miss owens is the daughter of the
late DIR. Thomas Owens, one of the
best known physicians in that Sec
ton OF the State. Platter is very
ignorant and unpreposse8sing mu-
latto, and was employed as a coach
man by Dr.. Henry Richardson, Miss
Owens brother-in law, residing in
the lower portion Of Anne Arundel
county.
Some time ago, by the invitation
OF her sister, Miss Owens went to p.v
DR.. Richardson a visit and there met
Platter. Nothing like any intimacy
was noticed between the two save
that Miss Owens went out driving
very frequently, always taking"Jesse''
with hel. On the night of the 9th
of last month she told her sister that
she had to go over to a neighber's
for a few moments, and as the way
was lonesome she would take Platter
to accompany her.
Failing to return, search was insti-
tuted. The neighbor alluded to
stated that Miss Owens had not
been there. The greatest alarm pre-
vailed until note was discovered in
her apartment saying that she had
left them forever.
The horrible suspicion of the true
state of the case flashed through the
minds of the searchers, which was
confirmed by a countryman who
reported having seen the ill-mated
pair walking along the road arm-in-
arm early in the evening. A party
Of neighbors searched everywhere
without avail for them.
Tuesday morning early warrants
were issued for Platers arrest and
an alarm was sent throughout the
country When the train for Wash
ington on Pope Greek Branch of the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
stopped at Halls station two passen-
gers embarked who were at once re-
coguized by the conductor from the
description given him as the fugi
tives. Having no authority to de-
tain them he did not interfere.
The couple sat together in the last
seat on the last coach facing the
rear door with their backs to the
passengers. Miss Owens was deep
ly yelled, and Platter carried a bun
die in one hand, while he held a pair
of hob-nail shoes in his other. The
peculiar action of the couple attract
ed the attention Of all the passengers
on board the car When the tickets
were collected Miss Owens passed
her companion off as her servant.
Several stations further on eX Gov.
Bowie, president of the road, boar i
ed the car and the conductor APP
pealed to him. He advised him not
to disturb them, but to notify the
police Immediately upon their arri-
val in Washington. This was done.
When detained by the officers in the
Washington depot Miss Owens SEEM
ed for the first time to fully appre
ciate her lamentable condition and
broke down completely.
The news Of the affair created
much excitement around the depot.
Platter was very angry and said:-
"De lady is my wife and no one
has right to stop me-"
Marriage between the races being
penal offense in Maryland, Platter
will be returned to Anne Arundel.
The decision frightened Platter con.
siderably, as well it may, for the
relatives and friends Of Miss Owens
swear that they will take the law in
their own hands as soon as they get
hold of the negro.
The farmers are intensely excited
over the affair, aud Platter will scare
ly escape if the officers are foolish
enough to bring him inside Anne
Arundel county without strong
guard.