The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-22
SKIPPED WITH A MORMON
an Elder Starts West With His Thirty
First Wife,

oT. JOSEPH, Mo-, July 17.-This city has
Deen thrown into Juror of excitement ove,
an elopement which took place last night
ana one which concerns one OF the leadino
,amiiies OF the place. D. A. Head came
mere rom Troy N. Y, five years ago and
essaDnsned .xa fiourishing business as a
wholesale flour dealer. He ia 40 wears of
age and very popular in the town. Mr.
Heads family consisted OF his wife and two
beautiful little girls, the elder being about 6
years OF age. Mrs. Head was a charming
brunette with willowy figure, dark ewes.
and q wealth OF raven hair She sang in the
choir OF the Dakota street Methodist church,
and Mr.: Head was frequently envied the
possession OF a wife of such rare accomplish
ments and SURPRISING beauty.
A lew weeks ago a tall, spare man with a
nre-glit beard and drawing voice made
MS appearance in St. Joseph. He repre-
sented himself as Josiah Greenleaf a Nor
mon elder from Salt Lake city, who had
come here to endeavor to secure converts
TO the peculiar doctrines OF the Mormon
church.
Elder Greenleaf went to the Dakota street
church on the Sunday evening after his ar
rival and his ears were delighted with the
charming alto voice of Mrs. Head. Glanc-
ing up into the choir to see where the mel
ady issued from, Elder Greenleaf was capti-
waited by the beauty of the fair singer. He
attended the services each evening and soon
managed to secure an introduction to Mrs.
Head. That lady seemed to be impressed
with the genuine earnestness and religious
fervor of the elder, and the pair were fre-
queetly seen together in consultation over
some biblical subject. Elder Greenlea was
invited to the cosey home OF the dour mer-
chant and Mr.. Head received his wife's
friend in a gracious manner. In a short
fhnC Cnl
which Jared upon her husbands nerves
and he demonstrated with her. Mrs. Head
asserted her belief in the truth OF the Nor
mon doctrines andseemed to be completely
under the influence of Elder Greenleaf.
At length Mr.. Head refused to permit his
wife to see the Mormon and threatened to
make it warm for the Salt Lake man if he
caught him around the house. Notwith
standing the husbands opposition the
couple continued.to meet clandestinely and
arrangements were made for an elopement.
The opportunity was offered last night.
Mr.. Head had been called to st. Lo'lis
on business during the day and expected
to be gone for two days.
Assisted by Elder Greenleaf the infat-
uated woman packed up all the household
treasures that could easily be carried away
and took considerable sum OF money
which Mr.. Head had left in the house.
Then dressing the two little girls In their
best clothes she joined the Mormon and
the party took the night train for the
West.
They had not been gone two hours before
Mr.. Head returned home unexpectedly and
found note from his wife informing him Of
her fight. Mr.. Head was overcome with
grief, but this soon gave way to a feeling OF
rage against Elder Greenleaf. Hastily
grabbing his pistol he jumped aboard the
next train and started in pursuit OF the
runaways. No news has yet been received
from them, and a tragedy is expected when
Mr.. Head overtakes the despoiler OF his
home. Elder Greenleaf is said to have
thirty wives in Utah. The feeling against
him here is intense, and the next Mormon
missionary who makes his appearance in
.sis city ~ hn assured hot reception.