Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-12


MILL CREEK, March 11.-Frank Stad-
Ter, aged p, fell in love a year ago with
Eta, the pretty and vivacious daughter of
Preston Cole, OF Meadville. Eta also fell
in love with Frank. They went together to
Eta mother and asked her consent to their
marriage. Mrs. Cole not only refused in
the most emphatic manner, but forbade her
daughter seeing her lover again. Eta
came to Mill Greek to visit friends.
Later she became the companion of Mrs.
John Morton, an invalid lady, whose hus-
band is connected with the Erie Coffin
Works Mr. Morton had one child, year
or so old. Last December she died. Eta
Cole remained as nurse to the child, which
had become greatly attached to her. His
wife had been dead but a few weeks when
Morton asked Eta to marry him tor the
sake of the chile.
AN ELoPEMENT.
According to Morton's story, the girl ac-
cepted him, but insisted on being married
without the knowledge of her parents. He
wouldn't consent to that, telling her that
she must inform her parents, and if they OBJ
jccted he would then take her to New York
State. where they would be married. Eta
went home, Morton saws, and he didn't
hear ANYTHING from her until January 16,
when she sent him a note by friend that
her mother was keeping her home by force,
hut that she could manage to meet him on
the oath, ii he would be in readiness near
her home.
He went to the place, Eta met him, and
thev elOped to Ripley, New York where
they were married. Morton says they re-
turned to his home, where they lived hap
PLY until two weeks ago, when bis wife re-
ceived a letter from her mother. 1t was
written as though Mrs. Cole didn't know
her daughter was married, and asked her to
come home, as the writer was i'll. besides
that the letter said, you may marry
Frank Stadler." Morton's story is that
when his wife read that she burst into tears
and exclaimed, "Oh, why didn't she tell me
that before"
Mort on says he wasn't aware of any pre-
vious attachment of his wiie's, and a day or
so after she received the letter from her
mother he consented to his wife's going home
for a few GAYS on a visit, and so she could
inform her mother of her marriage. She
didn't return, and he heard no word from
her. A day or so ago he went after her.
His mother-in-law refused to let him in the
house, and his wife would not see him.
DIFFERENT STORY.
AOun0 4 rank OIaQler was at bDe mouse.
This break in the domestic peace of Morton
and his bride created sensation, but Mrs.
Morton's story has made still greater one.
She declares that when Morton proposed to
her so soon after his wife's death she refused
him and returned home, not even waiting
until she could pack her clothes. She wrote
to Morton in January to forward her things
to her He replied that he couldn't tell
what they were, but that he would come
after her and drive her to Mill Greek so
that she could get them herself
81 started with him" says Mrs, Morton,
"and before we got half way to his home he
pulled out pistol, and, placing it to my
head, said: Now I've got you, and you've
got to be my wife or 1 will shoot you, and
then shoot myself was afraid of him,
and rather than lose my life married him.
/ got away from his house the same day and
hid with friends in Erie for two weeks
when 1 went to my mothers"
Morton has always been a highly re-
spected citizen, and while his friends were
shocked at his marrying so soon after his
first wi:e's death, his story of the affair is
believed to be the true one. He will sue for
divorce, and no one doubts that the decree
will be followed by the marriage of his
bride of week with her first lover, Frank