The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-24
LOVE COST HIM HIS LIBERTY
Remarkable Story of George Dunning,
WhoLoved a Millionaire's Daughter.
Sent to the Penitentiary, 0stensibly for Burg
larry, but Really to Separate Him from His
Sweetheart-AB Black Mailing Editor

CHICAGO, Aug. 23.-To-day the remark
authoritative form for the first time. In an
interview held in the Joliet penitentiary,
where Dunning is still confined, he himself
tells the strange story, which has been cur
rent for some time. and which exhaustive
inquiry in Chicago appears to have con-
firmed In every detail. Dunning is an
intelligent-lOoking fellow, twenty three
years of age, with a smooth, rosy complex
ion, and an appearance that might take the
fancy Of almost any susceptible young girl.
Hewas very reticent when asked about how
he had been railroaded to the penitentiary,
ostensibly for burglary, but really for
having won the heart of million
aires daughter. and how the millionaire
had afterwards been black-mailed by an
editor who learned the facts. Mr.. Dunning
was sentenced to four years imprisonment,
and has seven months of it yet before him.
The young fellow, whose fault in the mill
iOnaire's eyes seams to have been his hum
BILE station. said that the story regarding
his meeting and acquaintance with the
millionaire's daughter was true one.
Dunning was q newspaper clrculator,
handling route on the North Side. While
in the pursuit of his calling he went to the
mlilionaire's door early every morning, and
was surprised after time to learn that he
had become an object of interest to the
plutocrats only daughter, q handsome girl
just about entering society, and chatting
under the restraints that had been
came to meet about day break every morn
ing for few blissful moments at the door
of the mansion. An inklng of the situa-
tion reached the prospective father-in-law.
and young Dqnning was soon afterward
called to South Chicago, Ostensibly to see q
gentleman regarding his sweetheart. While
there he was met by person named Frank
Allen, with whom he was slightly ac-
quainted. Suddenly, as the two were
standing together, officers came up and ar
were convicted and sentenced for four
years each. A few days later Aliens SEN
tence was reduced to one year, and after
Dunning had been taken to the penitenti-
hocus pocus of a new trial. and he was re-
leased after week In jail. When Dunning
wasarrested he was spennlless and friendless,
but the girl, who loved him, had sold her
trinkets and hired young lawyer to de-
fend him. The millionaire, finding who
who was the lawyer. bought him off. and
the latter persuaded him to plead guilty as
the only chance of saving him from severe
sentence. A hint of the real facts was OBJ
tanned by the editor who subsequently, fig
a
time on the verge of financial ruin, and, in
stead of publishing the news, he promptly
black mailed the millionaire. Ten thou
sand dollars cash was the price of the
newspaper mans silence.
When the young unfortunate entered
Joliet prison. 1t is said, the officials were
instructed to put him at the hardest and
most trying kind of work in the peniten-
tiary. Dunning was of slight build. and
was soon badly used up, had hacking
cough. and in every way presented
sickly appearance. He could hardly
talk sentence without severe fit of
coughing. A police official who was an
enemy of the editor, and for personal rea-
sons was running down the latter's part in
the affair, was horrified. on going to the
prison. to find the pitiable plight of Dun
ming The police mogul used his influence
with the officials in the prison to have him
removed from the quarters he was then in
and lighter work given him. At this time
there had been two attempts To get Dun
ning pardoned. but for some reason they
proved fr,iitless. DunEing was allowed to
languish IN prison despite everything. I'm
I'll today he appeared to fear to discuss
his strange experience. thinking it would
cause him trouble when he regains his lib
erty. When asked what had become of the
lady he stated that he had heard she was
engaged and would soon be married to a
Chicago man.