Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-03-18
Ten Years in q Cellar.

The following strange story comes
from Wheeling, w. Va: VIM. Jack
son Moore, an old man, arrived here
this afternoon in search of legal adj
vice to recover some property he had
been deprived of. He told a wonder
full story of sufferings and privations
he has endured at the hands OF design
ing relatives. For over ten years he
has been kept prisoner in a stone
cellar in the rear OF his step-daughter's
husbands house, on a farm near
Triadelphia, Washington County,
which farm, Moore alleges, lawfully be-
longs to him. Fourteen years ago he
married widow named Wallace, who,
with her only daughter. was living in
Wheeling, W. Va. He brought them
both to his farm. Two years later his
wife died, and one year later his STEP
daughter, then 21 years of age, mar
rled James Slavin, a worthless fellow,
whom the girl had known in Wheeling.
They came olive with Moore. Slavin
Was continually borrowing money OF
Moore, and on several occasions took
money from under the latter's pillow,
also from bureau drawer. When &C
cused of these thefts, Slavin and wife
would become very angry and threaten
to murder Moore. Finally Slavin cir
culated a false report that his wife and
Moore were on too intimate terms,
and following this up with a threat of
prosecution, induced the old man to
will his property to Slavin and wife.
"A few evenings later" said the old
man "a neighbor called at my house
and said, 4 understand you are going
on visit to Michigan to see your rela-
tives.' I was on thepoint of denying
any such report, when my son-in-law
made threatening gesture, and /
said, ooh, yes That night, while I
was lying in bed l was gagged, bound
and placed in the cellar I speak of,
and the door double locked and bolt
ed. The next morning my son-in-law
sawed a wicket in the door, and in
that opening food was handed me,
and I have lived in that place off and
on ever since. Only occasionally was
with ropes about my body, and per-
mitted to walk about the yard. The
cellar was so arranged that my out
cries, in case I made any, could not be
heard, and in case visitors came to
the house a gag was always put on my
mouth, as an extra precautiOn. l
heard after I escaped that it had been
given out that l had died while in
Michigan. About two weeks ago my
usual allowance of food was not given
me and hearing no sound about the
house Thought would try to get out.
During my long imprisonment had
loosed large stone from position in
the wall, and with this I approached
the door and battered it down. There
was no person in the house and my
relatives were nowhere to be seen. l
ransacked the house and found near
ly 500 in money in one of the draw
ers. l took the money and started
for Wheeling, where have been living
ever since.
In a recent verdict a New York jury
gave damages to a daughter who
charged her mother board. The
mother, for some cause, deserted her
husband, and temporarily resided
with her daughter, and the old gentle
man was compelled to pay over ST.
600 for her board, the amount..claimed
by the daughter.
Yo0a9 1890 III.
Offer to ssnd thar oe1ebesisd ELsor1o-VoLaA11
R1z9 and other Rz1oI1so A1711Ano1s On tzial
Sor thirty day1 to man Ooung Or oID odietsd
with neEvuW debility, Jos0 OF vitality and man
hood, and III kindred troubles. Aiso for rheu-
matim, >neuzs,giA pa1a&y1i1 md many other