Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-01
NO. 26l
|L0VER'SGRIEVAN
A NEwSBOY OF CHICAGO INSTITUTES 4 SEN
SATl0NAL SUIT
Against Millionaire and BIS Associates fr
ConspinDg to Have hin Imprisoned On a False
Charge, Because Be Loyid the Merchants
Dsugh!er-Hs viii Have Redress.

CHICAGO, March 3L-Charges of a
highly sensational character are made
In suit for 100000 damages begun in
the Circuit Court this morning. The
plaintiff is Eugene Dunnivant. who
claims that his life has been wrecked as
the result OF a conspiracy between Or
rim w. Potter, the millionaire President
ef the Illinois Steel Company, and Tom
Fox, James HutchinS and Frank Allen.
who are also made defendants. IL is
alleged that deep plot was laid by
Potter to break up an acquaintance be
tween his daughter, beautiful and ac-
complished girl, aud Dunniyant. and
with this end In view the plaintiff claims
that he has innOcently been made 10
serve four years in the penitentiary.
The charge Is also made that the then
editor OF a newspaper suppressed the
boy story on receiving $4,000 from
Mr. Potter. IL may be added. however.
that New York paper procured and
published the story. which created
sensation AT the time. In his declara-
tion, young Dunniyant AYERS that in
April, 1853, he was poor boy. is year,
OF age, and was then engaged IN selling
newspapers In the district in which the
Potter mansion is situated. While pur-
suing this vocation he made the ace
quaintance Of Miss Potter. This ace
quaintance ripened into friendship. aud
continued until the occurrence of the
events complained Of. The acquaintance
between the young people was distastc-
ful to the girls father. aud Dunniyani
alleges that in order 10 break ii up Mr..
Potter hired and paid Captain O'Don-
nell, OF the police OF that district. o.
persecute the plaintiff with the result
that he was driven away from thar
neighborhoOd and ont OF business.
May -, 1855, at the invitation of Miss
Potter Eugene alleges he went To- visit
her at Geneva Lake. Wis. where She
was then living with her parents 90
their summer residence. While there
Tom Fox. a c0l0rcd coachman for the
family, and James hutchns. son-in-
law OF Mr. Potter, t is alleged, for-
cibly carried him 10 a place Of conhuc-
ment whore he was kept for two nights.
after which he was released and told io
leave the country.
In November. lS>6. Eugene says hr
was induced to accompany Frank Allen
to South Chicago. Allen had 4 confrd-
crate who was dressed 80 as 10 person
ate plaintiff. Some eclothing was stolen.
presumably by Allen. and Allen was ar
rested. As part OF the scheme 10 send
plaintiff to the penitentiary 10 is alleged
that Allen accused the plaintiff Of tho
theft, and caused his arrest. He and
Allen were jointly indicted FOR burglary.
At the trial, In January, lss7, the
daughter Of Mr. Potter. knowing her
lovers innocence, is said TO have en-
ployed counsel to defend him. Dunui-
want was convicted and sentenced Ia
four years imprisonment In the peui-
tentiary, while Allen got Of with brief
term in the House Of Correction. Dun
nivant served his term in the peniteu-
tiary at hard labor. with the result thar
his health was broken, completely lea,-
ing him a physical wreck. hence thi,
suit