Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-04
LAKES ALLEGED OFFENsE.
Strange Story That is Undergoing In.
vestigatiOn in Brooklyn.

Strange Story That is Undergoing In
vestigatiOn in Brooklyn.
A strange story was told Justice Pratt
in the Brooklyn IN. Y Supreme Court
the other day by Attorney Alyeth in ask
ing for certificate to appeal the case OF
the People against Geroge w. Lake, now
undergoing a term Of nine years at Sing
Sing for an unnatural crime. George w.
Lake resided in Topsfield, Mass. His near
est neighbors were family named Sween-
ey. The character of Miss Sweeney. a
member of the family, as alleged, was not
good. In 1888, when George mad Just COM
pleted his 10th year, he left home and
went to sea. Soon after his departure Miss
Sweeney gave birth to a child. She had had
a child previously, whose father she sub.
sequently married. Young Lake found
his way to Japan, went into business in a
small way, gathering Japanese cuIiOsities
and sellin7 them to foreign visitors. He
made money rapidly, and finally returned
TO America to engage in the business of
selling Japanese curiOsities. He first yis-
tied Topsfield, and remained some time
with relatives. Among the children who
used to play around the abode of his par
ents was Ettie Sweeney, an attractive
little girl of s or 8, the daughter of Miss
Sweeney, born soon after George had
quilted home for the sea. The child was
neglected, and allowed to run about the
streets in half wild state. George took
an interest in the poor waif, and with the
consent of her grandmother bought clothes
for her, and put her in a family where she
would be properly cared for and sent TO
school. Having thus provided for the
child he came to New York and started in
business. The girl was well taken care
Nj
of the best seminaries, George amply pro-
Viding for her in every respect.
In 1878, when she was nearly 20 wears
Ofiage, George brought her BROOKLYN. With
out any formal marriage ceremony.
George and Ettie assumed the relations
of husband and wife. When child was
born, George tailed to file the necessary
certificate, and the police authorities.
while he was at business, entered his
house and removed the mother and child
to Bellevue Hospital. When he got home
again he filed the certificate, and mother
and child returned to his abode. Soon af-
terward George removed with his SUM-
posed wife and child to Staten Island.
leased land from the Mutual Life Insur
ance Company and paid the money. but
he claims the company would not give
him the lease because they were desirous
of selling the land. The company then
PtDNSSAON W h1SpOo6Co5 uilu UtCdubE ne
had not paid the rent. He succeeded
against the company before two juries,
and, therefore, the company got out what is
termed a two-hour dispossesser notice.
and during his absence, turned his wife
and child out Of doors in a March storm.
He brought an action against the COM
pany for damages, which, it is under
stood, is still pending.
Lawyer Alyeth claims that the CON-
pany then procured the indictment of
Lake on the ground that his wife was
his own daughter. On the trial the testi-
mOny was very unsatisfactory. The
mother of Lakes alleged daughter was
dead, and the only evidence that in anv
way seemed to bear upon the charge was
the fact that the girl had always called
Luke ''papa." Since the conviction Of
Lake his wife has become demented, and
IS IN iunatlc asylum. Judge Pratt set
down the matter for a further hearing to-
day.