Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-29
A TERRIBLE STORY.
The Career of Convict Who Married His
Own Child-Three Generations of Wrecked
Minds

Minus.
New York World
The peculiar and almost incredibly
story brought out by the arrest and con-
viction in the Richmond county court of
sessions in March last, after much litiga-
ton of George W. Lake for being the
father of five children by his own daugh-
ter, was yesterday revived, says the World
at a special term of the supreme court
before Judge Cullen. Lawyer George A.
Moses appearing for Lake moved for
leave to file bill of exceptions for the
purpose of appealing from the last iudg-
ment of the court. The motion was op-
posed by the district attorney at Rich
mond county, but Judge Cullen decided
in favor of the convict
Lake is now in Sing Sing prison, where
he was sentenced to serve nine and one
half years imprisonment. Three gener-
ations of wrecked minds are the result of
his wicked and shameless career. His
case illustrates, aside from the depths of
deprayity to which human nature may
sink, the evil effects of Intermarriage be-
tween blood relations.
Lake was born in Topsville, Mass, and
when but Is years old became infatuated
with Emma Sweeney, of that village, who
was possessed of limited amount of dis
erection. He was a frequent visitor at her
fathers house, and after few months
child was born, the paternity of which
was laid to young Lake. He fled the
country, taking passage as common
sailor on a Chinese merchantmen. From
China he went to Japan, where he &C
quired the language of the natives, and
finally engaged in exporting fancy goods
and bric-a-brac to this country. He pros
pered, saved money, and finally returned
home with snug little fortune, and con-
tinUed business with his headquarters in
New York. He found that during his alb
sence Emma had married, and that his
child was in the Boston Orphan Asylum.
He gained possession of the little unfOr-
tunate, and sent her to a seminary to be
educated. She was called Emma after
her mother.
None of her schOOlmates ever suspect
ed little Emma's misfortune, and she was
quite favorite among them. Lake Wis
tied the child only occasionally, and sup
posed that It's mother had lost all interest
in her. Such, however, was not the case
The latter made freqent visits in secret to
the little one, and manifested a great deal
of affection toward her, although she new
er revealed her relationship.
IS, when Lake took Emma from her
studies and took her to New York to act
as his boOkkeeper. At the time she was
bright, fair haired woman of Is, un-
usually well developed for her age. Lake
took her to live at the old Washington
hotel where he registered her as his
daughter. He never introduced her to
anyone and always led her to and from
the dinning room. She went to and from
his Office with him daily, and when he
spent the evening out Emma was always
left locked in their apartments Boarders
finally objected to the two peculiar guests,
and, being asked to seek quarters else
where, they removed to No. 80 State
street. Lake was then between 80 and 30
years old, and his new landlord supposed
him to be the husband of his youthful
companion. The couple had been In the
house but short time when Emma gave
birth to a child. Her mother had neither
seen nor heard from her since her de-
parture from the seminary, but the day
the infant was born Lake sent for the
woman. When she arrived at the house
and found that her shame had been carri-
ed down to her daughter she went ravin g
mad, and had to be removed from the
house by force. She was taken to an in
few days later.
Before the new born child was month
old Lake deserted his family. He was
arrested on charge of abandonment,
and at the station-house denied that the
woman was his wife. An investigation
brought to light evidence of the regis
tration at the Washington hotel, where he
had claimed the girl as his daughter, and
he was held on a more serious charge,
He was tried and acquitted, after which
he removed with his youthful family to q
comfortable but not very pretentious
cottage in Tottenyiile. N. Y, He kept a
horse and carriage in which he drove to
the ferry at Clifton every morning. He
left it In the livery-stabie there until his
return at night, when he drove home
again. The young woman, who was
dOubly related to him, never apr eRred IN
the carriage and was seldom seen in the
streets. Lake continued his unlawful re-
lations with her and his family increased
As the second generation of children grew
up, however, they were found to be idiots
and public Indignation against the father
became so bitter that he was forced to
leave the neighborhood. He next took
lis afflicted family to house on Todt
hill, few miles from Clifton. This was
about four years ago, and he was again
indicted. Then it was discovered that
5he mother of the younger children had
become insane. She was sent to an asy-
tum, her children five in number) were
taken to the poorhouse and Lake was
lodged in jail. He was tried, convicted
and sentenced to nine and a half years
imprisonment at hardlabor in Sing Sing
He served two months of his time, when
a stay on appeal was obtained in his be.
half, and he was transferred back to the
Richmond county jail. The general term
of the supreme court reversed the de
cision against him in May last, and
ordered a new trial. The second tria
took place in the Richmond county court
asOf sessions on March 5, and resulted in 6
conviction, when the old sentence OF
line years and six 1lonths was again
inflicted.
The unfortunate children of the con.
7ict have been transferred from the
P9or-house in Richmond county to the
,sylum for idiots at Syracuse.