The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-12
A ROMANTIC ELOPEMENT.
Like Knight of Old, He Took His Lady Love in
His Arms and Fled.

BALTIMORE, July 1.-THE spectacle of a
stoutly- built young man Of twenty five running
at full speed and carrying dainty looking girl
In his arms, caused the residents of the sub
urban village of Calverton to turn out en-
masse yesterday. 1t was not until another
young man, and later group of men in rapid
pursuit appeared On the scene that the villagers
commenced to suspect that they
were witnessing an elopement. The young
couple in the lead were John D. Mumma, me-
chanic, and Miss Emma E. Bown, the daughter
Of Mr. Louis f. Bown, well-known politician
and an exmember of the Legislature. AS the
flying lovers reached the outskirts of the village
about three hundred yards in advance of their
pursuers, Mumma was seen to place her gently on
her feet. Then seizing her hand,
they ran swiftly through gate
into field and started across the coun-
try in the direction of Baltimore. After run
ming rapidly in this manner for about three
minutes the stalwart lover again seized his com
panion in his arms and continued the flight. By
thus economizing the girls strength, they sue
ceeded in keeping ahead of Charles Bown and
his father, who were in pursuit until they
reached the house of friend, half mile dis
tant Here they got into wagon, which had
evidently been in waiting, and drove rapidly off,
despite the shouts of the Messrs Bown. Arriv
ing in Baltimore they were married by Rev.
DR.. Thomas Dougherty, pastor of Hanover
street Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr.. Mumma and Miss Bown had been keep
ing parry for about year previous to the
I9th of May last which time was originally ap-
pointed for the wedding to take place, and, so
Tar as appeared to the contracting parties no op-
position to the union existed on the part of Miss
Downs parents. On the appointed wedding day
the girl was seized by her mother and married
sister, and conveyed to an upper story and
locked in room, whore she was closely confined
for several days.
The parents had concluded that a more
wealthy sutor who had appeared on the scene
should have the daughters hand She was
finally released, but kept under strict surveil
lance and not allowed to go anywhere than to
church, except under the watchful care of her
brother or member of the family. Day before
yesterday the brother who has been guarding
his sister, concluded that it would be safe for
him to again do some mechanical work
and. in company with his father, went
to where the latter is building some
houses on Greenmount avenue. The mo-
Inent long looked for by the imprisoned
girl had at last arrived, and without stopping TO
secure any extra clothing, and bare headed, Miss
Emma left her parents house and sought refuge
in the home of mutual friend in the village.
Mr. Mumma was communicated with and soon
joined his bride. They started to walk to the
house of their friend, where the road wagon
awaited them when the shouts of young Bown
and his father informed them that they were
pursued.
After their marriage Mr.. and Mrs Mumma
returned to Calverton in triumph and will ask
forgiveness.