Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-24
REMARKABLE STORY.
A Tale of Love and False
Imprisonment.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
How a Chicago Cr9sus Got Rid OF
an Objectionable SuitOr for
His Daughters Hand.
! Associated Press dispatches to the HERALD


CHICAGO, August 23.-Today the re-
markable story Of George Dunning, the
first publication Of which appeared in
several papers few days ago, his name
then being given as Donohue, was given
an authoritative form for the first
time. In an interview held in Joliet
penitentiary, where Dunning is still con-
fined, he himself told the strange story
which has been current for some time,
and which exhaustive inquiry in Chicago
appears to have confirmed in every de-
tail.
Dxnning is an intelligentlo looking fell
low, % years of age, with a smooth, rosy
complexion, and an appearance that
might take the fancy of almost any sus-
ceptible young girl. He was very reti-
cent when asked about how he had been
raiiroaded to the penitentiary, ostensibly
for burglary, but really for having won
the heart of millionaire's daughter, and
how the millionaire afterward had been
blackmailed by an editor who had learned
the facts.
Dunning was sentenced to four year.
imprisonment and has eeven months oi
| it yet before him. The young fellow
whose fault in the millionaire's eyes
seems to have been his humble station
said that the story regarding his
meeting and acquaintance with the
| millionaire's daughter was true.
HOW HE NET THE DAMsEL.
| Duppi1o uao q pamonoDor o;r,ulo lo} }or
running a route on the North Side
While in the pursuit of his calling he
went to the millionaire's door early
| time to learn that he had become ar
object of interest to the plutocrat's only
daughter, handsome young girl jusi
about entering society and chafing under
the restraints that had been placed upor
her. The lovers gradually came to mee
about daybreak every morning for few
blisstul moments at the door OF the
Eillionaire's mansion.
THE STERN PARENTS CONSPIRACY.
An inkling of the situation reached th,
prospective father-in-law, and youn;
Dunning was soon afterward called t,
South Chicago, ostensibly to see gen
tleman regarding his sweetheart. Will,
there he was met by person nance
Frank Allen, with whom he was slight.
acquainted. Suddenly, as the two wer,
standing together, officers came up ant
arrested them on the charge of burglary
Both were tried, convicted and sen
fenced to four years each. A few day
later Aliens sentence was reduced t,
one year, and after Dunning had beer
taken to the penitentiary Aliens sen
tence was again cut down by the hocu
pocus of a new trial, and he was re
leased after week in jail.
HIS LAWYER BOUGHT OFF.
When Dunning WAS arrested he wa
penniless and friendless, but the girl win
loved him had sold her trinkets ant
hired a young lawyer to defend him
The millionaire, finding who was th,
lawyer, bought him off, and the latte
persuaded Dunning to plead guilty as tn,
only chance of saving him from sever,
sentence.
A hint of the real facts we're obtained
by the editor who subsequently figures il
the story. The editor was at the time OF
the verge of ruin, and instead of publish
ing the news, he promptly blackmailet
the millionaire. Ten thousand dollars
cash was the price OF the newsr q pc,
mans silence.
| BRUTALLY TREATED IN PRISON.
When the young unfortunate entered
Joliet prison, it is said the officials wert
instructed to put him at the hardest anC
most trying kind of work in the peniten
tiaIy. Dunning was a man of sligh
build and was soon badly used up. He
had hacking cough and in every way
presented sickly appearance. A police
Official who was an enemy of the editor
and for personal reasons was running
down the latter's part in the affair, was
horrified on going to the prison to find
the pitiable plight of Dunning
The police mogul used his in
| fiuence with the officers at the psniten-
tiary to have him removed from the
quarters he was then in, and lighter
work given him. At this time there had
been two attempts made to get Dunning
pardoned, but for some reason or other
the attempts proved fruitless. Dunning
has been allowed to languish in prison
despite everything until today.
He appeared to fear to discuss his
strange experience, thinking it would
cause him trouble when he regains his
liberty. When asked if he knew what
had become of the lady, he stated that
he had heard she was engaged and
would soon be married to Chicago man.
A GAME OF BOUNoE