The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-05
IS she A KlDNAPPER-qa
Ellen Convey, Alias Mrs. Ella v.
Garrett, Turns Up Again.

Ellen Covey, alias Mrs. Ella ". Gar
rett, Is in the city again. She has laid
aside all intentions of committing sui
eide and is now figuring as kidnapper.
Mrs. Covey, as she is better known,
created sensation in this city about
four months ago by writing letter to
the undertaken, saying that she was
about to commit suicide. She alleged
that she was in q sea Of trouble, was
tired of life and wished to put an end to
her existence. She was closely watched
by the police, but it turned out that
she had no idea Of dying by her own
hands.
Then Mrs. Covey figured as an heiress.
She owed great many debts and at
once notified her creditors through the
press that she had inherited 81, 500. She
paid most of her bills and then loft the
city. Nothing was heard of her until
yesterday, when she turned up in Roam
oke as very suspicious character.
In company with young girl, scarcely
fifteen years of age, she went to Mayor
Evans yesterday morning and asked for
transportation Tor the girl to Norfolk.
The girl was pretty, of good figure,
and had dark hair and eyes. She wore
small black hat without trimming,
was we'll dressed, and carried largo
gold watch in her belt. She had tho
appearance of a modest, innocent girl.
The mayor asked Mrs. Covey why she
wanted to take the girl to Norfolk. The
woman replied that the girl was an or
phan, and that she had secured good
home for her in Norfolk.
The suspicious Of the mayor were
aroused and he questioned the woman
nj h,,A 81
had adopted the girl and was her bene-
in Roanoke, as her property was all in
Norfolk.
She begged tho mayor to furnish her
ticket, and said the girl would starYe
to death, or 60 to destruction if left In
Roanoke.
ALI this time the watch was concealed
from the mayor. He then turned to tho
girl and asked her where she come
from and who she was.
She replied that her name was Mary
Davis, She formerly lived with her
parents on tho line between Franklin
and Henry counties. Her parents had
both died and she came to this city with
her sister, who had since married. She
now had nowhere to 60, except with
Mrs. Covey.
The mayor told Mrs. Covey very
pointedly that he would not furnish her
any money to take the girl away. Both
the woman and the girl then left the
Office
Mayor Evans said to TIMES reporter
shortly afterwards, that he regretted he
did not take the girl in custody. He
was perfectly satisfied that the woman
was of bad repute, but knew nothing OF
the girl. Nothing was seen of the
woman or girl during tho entire after
noon, although q diligent search was
made for them. Mrs. Covey formerly lived
on Ernest avenue. She was seen in that
locality early yesterday morning in
company with the girl. The trains were
watched during the day but no trace of
the two was discovered.
1t has been ascertained that the girl,
II the story be correct, was the daughter
of farmer living on the border of
Henry and Franklin counties. They
were respectable people, but poor. II
she has any relatives in this city at tho
present time, they have not been found.
tits firmly believed by Chief Morris
and Mayor Evans that Mrs. Covey's in
tentions were to lure the gyl to a house
of i'll reI Lutte. She has lived in Roanoke
for several years, and has always been
regarded as a bad woman.
Several years ago she was guilty of
enticing young girl into her den in
the eastern part OF the city. Prior to
this the girl had been respectable. She
was discovered one day by the police,
who made inquiries The girl told a
terrible story of her wrongs at the
hands Of the woman, but said she was
then contented to remain, as she was
no longer able to associate with respect
able people.
4
city yet. It is probable that action will
be taken by the authorities to-day to
prevent the girl from being taken away.
RAID ON SALEM AVENUE.