The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-22
A NEWPORT EL0PEMENT.
Flight Of Girl with Her Fathers Foreman
An ElOpiug Family.
New York Special.

New York Special.
A telegram was received at police headquarters
on Tuesday night from John N. Hodgson, the
Fifth-avenue florist who was at Newport, r. l.,
stating that his daughter Louisa had eoped
they had taken passage the steamboat Old
Colony Of the Fall River line, for this city. Mr.
Hodgson wanted the runaway pair stopped by
the police and detained until he could make
arrangements to have his daughter taken back
to Newport. Detectives at the Fall River pier
this morning when the Old Colony arrived, met
the clipping lovers. The officers called a carriage
and took them to police headquarters. The
young man took his arrest very coolly, while he
declared that the police had right to stop him,
but Miss Hodeson wept and appeared much
surprised. Inspector Steers remanded Merritt.
Merritt gave his age as twenty-seven
years, and said that he was a florist living at
Newport. He is a Slender man, with dark hair
and eyes, small mustache and fairly good look
ing. Miss Hodgson was placed in care of Matron
WEBB Tor time, and she became more cheerful
when assured that no harm would come to young
Merritt. She said that she was twenty two
years old, and her looks confirmed the statement
Her slight, an guar form clothed in neatly
fitting but inexpensive dress, and she wore a
small hat, with veil which partly covered her
face. She was plain-lookng and her eyes were
red with weeping.
My parents" she said Give at No 545 Fifth
avenue in winter, and go every summer to New
port where my father owns several green houses.
have known Mr.. Merritt ever since he was a
boy [ might also say we have been brought up
together, because my father took him into the
store when he was only boy, and always had
the greatest confidence in him. Richard showed
SO much ability in the florist business that my
father made him foreman of tho establishment
in Newport He and have loved each other
for years, and we were engaged two years ago.
Richard spoke to my father then, and we were
told thai we might marry some day if we KEEP
of the Same mind until we got old enough to
know what was best for us. Lately my father
has tried to keep US apart and my mother sides
with him, although she promised that l
could marry Richard. Ny sister was forced TO
give up young man to whom she was engaged,
and my brother had trouble in getting married.
| thought they wanted me to marry some Fifth
avenue swell and | made up my mind that
would have Richard anyhow. don't see why
father objects. He ran away with my mother
when he married her. Our family is English.
Richard is perfect gentleman. and nothing an
be said against him. II my father comes after
me may go back with him, but will marry
Richard If | have to run away again"
Mr.. Hodcson telegraphed MIR. Hoffman his
New York foreman, to take Louisa back to New
port Mr. Hoffman went to police headquarters,
but Miss HodgsOn refused to 90 anywhere with
him. AS the foreman admitted that Louisa was
of age, Inspector Steers decided that the police
had no right to detain tfAyoung lovers. He sent
Merritt to the Police Court again and had him
discharged. When Merritt and Miss Hodgson
met again at police headquarters both were free
take Louisa directly to a minister's house and get
married.