The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-26
FORCED TO MARRY
The Girl He is Alleged to Have
Betrayed.
AT The POINT OF A REVOLVER.
kidnapped from His Ohio Home, Es.'
capped and Rccapturcd.- Midnight
Ride on tho Isivcr.-Dodgins Ballots
and Fleeing for, Life..Now Martins.
yille's Sensation.

yille's Sensation.
Word reached hero yesterday that
tho town OF New Martinsvillo was all
agor over a scandal Of largo proportions,
"A pistol and n shotgun, n midnight
boat ride Of a kidnapped young man in
fear Of imminent death, and NIL the nc.
ccssorles Of the sensational story are
told.
For some time past Fred IIoier, Of
GAINESVILLE, Ohio, has been excepting
company" in a dosulto,y way, with
Miss frankie ODER, OF Now M~artinsyillc,
two miles below. About two weeks ago,
tho story goes, Mr.. IIoicr escorted Miss
Ober to her home from a G. A. r. blow
out in New Martinsvi.le. On tho way
tho young man was informed TINT his
comraH;on was in Il delicate condition,
for which he Jus responsible. Ilccriod,
Come oil" at this, "you know Pm not"
when his eyes suddenly confronted a 80
caiibro revolver, held in the little hund
OF the girl.
"You IRE responsible" sho said, "and
you'll have to marry me-" Not wishing
10 die on the street, the young man
promised whatever tho girl asked.
: For Two weeks young'Hoier remai1cd
away from New Martinsvi,let and stuck
to his home at Baresville. Last Tues
day night OIL stepping out OF n store in
which he had been sitting talking
with, some friends, young Hofer again
suddenly looked into the barrel OF a re-
volver, from behind which glowcred
threateningly the father OF Miss
frankie.
Come along with me" said the one
with the revolver. "l've got a skift
down at the river, and l propose that
you shall go down to New. Martinsville
with Inc and marry my daughter."pd
But" gasped Hofer. ~ \ T.
mo butts about it. Come along now,
or III put a bullet through you"
Down the wharf the two went, the
skiF was entered, the West Virginian
put his revolver alongside on the
thwart, and taking up'tha26ars started
down to New Martinsyillc.! The two
miles were covered in a short time and
the boat landed. The young man got
out first, and while the determined
father was drawing the skiit up on the
shore made .8o; 1 rs. isss
BREAK FOR LIBERTY,
and started off on a run.
stop, or I'll fire" cried the abductor,
but Hofer never stopped, and even two
bullets fred after him failed to have the
desired effect. Keeping along the river
bank, Hofer soon came to'a skiff.2Find-
ing no oars, he picked up a couple OF
barrel slaves from the bank and skullcd
across to the fair Ohio shore.
Believing that tho young fellow would
return to Baresville, Mr.. ODER, the story
continues, rowed back there himself and
stationed himself outside. the 'doorao f
the llofer residence until two or three
o'clock in the morning.
Tired of waiting, no concluded to stroll
down the river bank, and was rewarded
by meeting his escaped prisoner on the
way home. Again the ready pistol was
brought into requisition, and again tho
weary ride down tho river commenced.
When Martinsyillo was reached both
got out OF the skif, Mr.. ODER being
careful not to let young Hofer got out
OF his sight. Through the dark streets
the procession OF two went, the probate
judge was reused out OF bed, a marriage
license was procured, a justicc:of tho
peace was handy, and at 4 o'clock in tho
morning the waiting bride and unwill-
ing groom wore married.
In the meantime Hofer's father had
got wind Of the affair, and, soizing a
shot gun, started from Baresyille to
New Martinsville, threatening TO de-
stroy the kidnaper Of his son. When
he arrived at. New Martlnsyille the
wedding was over.
At 8 a. IN. Hotter bcgan.proceedines in
divorce. He. claims that jhe.Was never
intimate with the girl, andtthaSwhat.
ever condition she. may be- iii cannot be
ascribed to him. The towniwas excited
yesterday, rs it was feared tho two
fathers mightcome together and blood
shed result 81 "a EIr!F aaE