Milford chronicle., 1889-11-01

4
May L. Ellis, that she had accompanied him
surprise gave place to indignation, and Mil
ford has since been at the boiling point o
rage at the scoundrel; who not only robbie,
the people, but had deliberately debauched
virtuous girl and deserted a loving wife anC
four little children.
Harris had been in financial trouble fol
some time but his bills for tomatoes were
not yet due. and the growers had no chance
to protect themselves or opportunity to learn
that Harris would not pay them.
On Friday Of last week he went to Phila-
delphia, where he forced his brokers to sell
all of his goods at any price they would
bring, and drew So, 5oo.o as the proceeds.
He deposited this sum in a city bank to his
credit and returned to Milford On Saturday
he sent Miss MAY L. Els to Philadelphia,
where she registered at the Windsor Hotel
as the sister Of Harris and where she was
joined by him on Sunday morning upon the
arrival of the midnight train from Harring-
ton, Del
On Saturday, Harris packed all Of his NOV
able furniture and valuables in Milford, and
sent them in four large trunks after night to
Harrington. To bis wife he explained that
he was in business trouble, and that they
must fly. That she and the children must
leave on the early train on Monday -innrn-
ing and go to his brothers near Pittsburg,
Penn, and that he should have to go that
night. He further told her that she was
not to worry about him, as he should have
to be gone month or more. He then pro-
ceeded to drive to Harrington, where he had
his baggage checked to Philadelphia, aud
where he paid for tickets for his wife aud
children to Pittsburg, Pa.-which they after
wards got and used.
The first intimation of Miss Els dis
grace came by mail on Monday night to her
mother, and was as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. u, I8So.-My Dear
est Mamma How can 1 tell you what I
have done? In word I am the happiest
girl living l met my friend in Philadel-
phia, and we were married at once. Now,
dear mamma, do not worry about me, for I
have the best man in the world. BY the
time this reaches you we will be on the deep
blue sea bound for Liverpool. With love
to all and kisses, i am your loving and ODE
dient daughter, MAY.
This caused a telegram to be sent to the
Chief-of Police in New York for their arrest,
and Geo. F. Pierce, Rev. ]. Kerr, Geo. H.
Hall and James Welch started to intercept
them. At Harrington they secured the
numbers of his checks on his baggage and
by them traced the guilty pair until they
left on the II.26 a. IN. train for Chicago on
Tuesday The searchers then returned
home, and on Tuesday night public meet
ing was held at which 5000 90 was raised to
defray the expense of his arrest and return
to Delaware. Telegrams describing Harris
and his partner were sent to Chicago that
night, and on Wednesday the Chief-ofPolice
in Chicago notified the authorities that they
had J. Alex. Harris and Miss May Louise
Ellis under arrest with So, 10000 on their per-
sons. The next step was to have Governor
Biggs take steps for their extradition. The
Governor wired the Chicago officials to hold
the prisoners, and the papers would be sent
out lust as veg to press, a telegram came
stating tie prisoners had been release OH a
writ of habeas corpus.
Governor Biggs has already started Joseph
McDaniels and Frank Richards to Chicago
with the extradition papers.
THE WHOLE STORY.
Harris came to Milford about four years
ago. and bargained for David Scott's farm at
Houston, but his methods were so obnoxious
that the deal was declared of, and he moved
into Milford. He then purchased a farm
from Peter L. Lohand but sold it two years
ago and commenced the canning business in
the cannery where Howell failed, and Guy
kendall made another bad break. The first
year he paid all his bills promptly, and upon
the reputation OF those associated with him,
established fair reputation.
In conducting his business he employed
May Louise Ellis, daughter of Prof D. S.
Ellis, as his bookkeeper-thish happened eight
months ago Miss Ellis left Milford on Sat.
urday afternoon on a visit to Camden, Del,
but instead of stopping at the latter place
she went on to Philadelphia.
In less than two hours after the telegram
was received, the officers had learned they
were in Chicago; that he had deposited
so 600 in three different banks that they
had registered at the fremont House under
assumed names that they had left that
hotel and went to board at No. 24o La Sale
Avenue, and had arrested him at noon on
Wednesday. A dispatch from Chicago says:
Harris took his arrest quite coolly, but
Miss ELS was greatly worried, though she
did not give way to her emotions. She said
she had left home because she loved Harris
and would not return again.
81 doH't see how they found us so soquickly"
said Harris. "We left Milford OH Monday.
OF cource, we had arranged to run away. I
have a wife and four children; but my home
was not a pleasant one, and my wife aud
had arranged to separate I sent her
to her home in Pennsylvania a few
days ago. and Miss Ellis went to
Philadelphia on Monday, ostenisbly to
visit friends. followed on the next train and
met her at the depot, We then came on to
Chicago. My wife was to get divorce, and
then Miss Ellis and myselfwere to be married.
/ Our attachment sprung up after she entered
my employ, which was eight months ago.
shall ray her board in New York until this
trouble Is over, and then shall marry her
have committed no criminal ofense. My
partner pulled out of the concern, and still
N@sNeNs
amounts to $4,000, and that amount can
be easily realized BY the sale of the plant
have not einbezzled any money nor obtained
aythihg by false pretenses."
| Harris says he is willing to return in case
his creditors demand it, but he will not go
back Of his own accord. He has already en-
plOyed an attorney and may try to secure his
release by hAbeas corpus proceedings.
Telegraphic dispatch to city papers have
stated that Harris was prominent mem
Der of the Presbyterian Church. One of
them went so far as to call him "a shining
light" We are informed, ON good authority,
that he was in no sense prominent member
He held no Office, took no part in the meet
ings of the congregation except to attend,
and did not pretend to have any influence.
Miss ELS was a member Of the Christian
Endeavor Society.
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