Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-06-18
new CASTLES ELOpEMENT.
A Prominent Man Runs Away with
His Pretty Clerk.

1
The Girl Was Mere Child--A Telegram
from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Her
Mother.
| Special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journa
NEW CASTLE, June 17.-This city is com
pletely stirred mp over the disappearance
of John III. Reed, "a prominent business man
and Fannie, the pretty l5-years-o daughter
OF Joseph Bartlett, and from information
| obtained by the families of the two absent
ones il is believed that they have eloped
Reed is 81 years old, is the proprietor of a
grocery and provision store on Vine street
below Delaware, and the owner of con
siderable property. He has always done
a thriving trade and his customers are
some of the best citizens. Miss Bartlett
resides with her parents just across the
| street from Reeds store, where she has
been employed as clerk for several
months past At the invitation OF
relatives in Salem, N. j., she left for
that place ON Saturday afternoon last via
the steamer Reybold, to stay over until
Monday. She was told to be home by the
first boat on Monday. This is the last seen
OF her by her parents. Monday morning
saw Mrs. Bartlett at the wharf to meet her
daughter, but to her dismay she did not
arrive, afternoon came and still no tidings
from her had been received. Her mother
teiegraphed to Salem, asking if the girl
was still there, il SO for her to come home
nt once, The reply came that Fannie had
lett on the boat that morning. Monday Reed
suddenly disappeared Inquiries about him
met with no response, and as he had not
returned at nightfall his wife became ex-
tremely anxious.
Arthur r. Kee, dairyman who resides
on the Delaware City road, reported to
Mrs. Reed that he had seen her husband
at daylight Monday morning going in the
direction of Delaware City on foot. When
this news was received at the homes Of the
two interested families things began to
look shady.
One LAY last week Mrs. Bartlett received
an anonymous communication signed "a
Friend" The letter went on to say that
Reed was becoming entirely too intimate
with her daughter and was eXerting q bad
influence over her. The writer had seen
Reed hug and kiss the girl and conduct
himself improperly. The letter wound ZIP
with, warning to Mrs. Bartlett TO keep
her daughter away from Reed, who would
be treated to a coat of tar and feathers.
The letter was written in disguised
hand and most likely by woman, but
Mrs. Bartlett is unable to trace the author.
Mrs. Bartlett, on receiving the letter, was
unable to believe it. She showed it to Mrs.
Reed, who in turn read it to her husband.
The latter's face flushed and he became
somewhat nervous, but denied every word
to grow suspicious, but they never dreamed
that the two would run away.
:, Mr. Bartlett described his daughter to
the captain OF the steamer Reybold yester-
day morning, and he informed him that
the girl had LETT the boat al Delaware City.
The anxious father at once secured n team
and drove there. He learned that she had
been met at the boat by man who an
swered exactly to Reeds description and
the two proceeded at once to the railroad
station. The peculiar actions of the couple
were noticed by several persons The girl
did not seem entirely willing to accom-
pany the man, but he finally persuaded
her to walk with him. At the station Reed
purchased two tickets, one for Porters
and another for Newark. The girl
used the Newark ticket and proceeded
on to that place, while Reed changed
cars at Porters and came to this city ON the
93l train. He at once went to his home
and was welcomed by his wife as usual,
He told her in explanation Of his early
rising that morning that he had gone to
Bear station to attend to some matters per-
tanning to his business. He remained at
home all the morning and partook of
hearty dinner. He did not seem in a
pleasant mood, however, and appeared
worried, his wife thought at the time over
the anonymous letter shown him on the
previous Saturday. The last words he
said to his wife were that he believed he
would go down towards the Battery and
enjoy the breeze.
lie took an umbrella and at 2 O'Clock
went in that direction. It is surmised that
he then cut bee line for Newark, where
he rejoined Miss Bartlett. II is the opinion
now Of both the wife of Reed and the
parents of the girl that the two are to.
gether.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Bartlett re-
'eiyed the following telegram, dated noon |
At Wheeling, W. Va.
Am here. Will be home tomorrow.
FANNIE.
This is believed to be fake" and only
lone to throw the parents off the track Of |
he pair Telegrams giving description
If the pair have been sent the authorities |
here, however, with request to arrest
hem both.
The affair has caused a profound sensa-
ion here and is the chief topic of CONVEX
alton here. EVERY EVENINGS correspon-
lent called at the home of the girl last
hight to see if any tidings Of her other
han the telegram had been received.
There was not, however, and the mother
vas completely Frustrated over the sad
Hair Mrs. Reed was there also, her
right S-years-old girl was on her lap and
10Th were weeping at the INCONSISTENCY of
he husband and father. Mrs Reed
With difficulty that She could repeat the
tory to the correspondent. She said that
lr. Reed was good husband and ALWAYS
reated her as with the utmost respect, and
heir 10 years of married life had been an
extremely happy one. She could hardly
eallze the fact that he was leading
ouble life Reed has always borne d good
equation, he is a first-class business man
nd never regretted his duties. His wife
J q young and fine looking woman, and
highly esteemed and much sympathy is
expressed for her. '
Fannie Bartlett is pretty dark haired
lrl with fine figure, and of amiable dis
osition. Her mother is very strict and |
eldom. was she allowed out after night
nd she was always prohibited from being
the company with men, without her
lother's permission. Reed had a bank =
count and number of shares in the
llsding loan, 1t is reported that he drew
loQ from bank on Saturday last but this
luld not be verified by the officials An
her rumor was that he signed all his l
'operty over to his wife last week but g
lis also failed to be verified, The giri +
ID no money with the exception Of a !
,llar and a few cents. and =
} baggage whatever. A shawl in :
strap was all that she carried with her I
Salem. When last seen she wore a u
cam colored dress and hat adorned p
IN light flowers. Reed wore suit of y
liked goods. He has small black nous
che and is short in stature. Reed it is Ii
Id ran away with another mans wife r
out four years ago, but the woman's y
lsband came up with them. y !.
FREQ Bath OPENING. y