The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-23
GIRLS AOP|kGBY DOZENS
Exodus From The Town Of Anna, ILL.,,
ola BeYy Of Pretty Girls.
WERE NOT HAPPY AT HOME.
Their Lovers Took Pity on Them. and
Took Ihem-Two of Them Are Now in
Jail, and the Others Finally Backed
Out.

ST. LOUIS. March 23.-Shortlv after z
o'clock last night Police Sergeant Michael
O'Malley and Roundsman James Cor
coran saw tall, nicely dressed man step
from a Mobile and Ohio train and help
two young girls down the steps. The
man appeared to be under the Influence
OF liquor, and when he walked away with
the girls the policemen followed.
They watched him get into a cab with
|. the girls and then decided TO look into
the matter. So they stopped the cab.
and questioned the occupants. Their
stories were not satisfactory, and the
three people we're taken to the -Four
Courts.
10 the sergeant i'm charge the mau
gave his name as Henry Il. Barnes, "a
years of age, and said he was printer
from Cincinnati
The girls gave their names as Dell and
May Roberts. aged is and IL, aud said
they were cousins. and that Barnes was
also a cousin OF theirs. They lived at
Jonesboro, Ill, they said. aud had come
TO st. Louis TO visit "a brother " no lived
hele.
Police Ask Questions.
Captain William Young took them in
charge, and for nearly two hours ex-
amined them, together and separately,
but they stuck to their stories Finally
the man weakened. He said he had only
known the girls few hours, and had
met them on the train.
lie Vas taken out and tie elder of the
girls was brought in. She adhered to her
first story. Then the younger was placed
In the saeat box. she held out ior a few
minutes, aud then without a tear told
the truth. Her story follows:
My proper name is Mime Coleman.
N ND n hA fraw in n NJ h. d
sister Dixie. / am.17 years old and she
is nearly 10. Ny father is James w.
Coleman, "A lawyer OF Anna. ILL.,, also SER
geant-at arms Of sne Illinois state senate.
1--WE lived in Anna, and there met Mr..
Barnes, who stopped at hotel there.
other girls aud five men, elOped from
Anna. L don't know how IL all came
about, but to the best of my knowledge
home troubles caused the whole.
Mr.. Barnes used to call at our house
regularly. He was Keeping company
with widow, Mrs. Bowman. who lived
IN Jonesboro, one mile from Anna. John
Morris, "A Young painter. used also TO call
at our house, but he was going with
Fanny O'keith.
Chorus of Lamentation.
last Saturday party was given in
Anna, and my sister. along with me,
Barnes and Morris attended There we
met number of girls. In the course of
general conversation We began talking
Of home. Ali the girls had grievances.
and when we spoke OF ours a general
chorus of lamentations went up
Then we were told that n plan OF
elopement was being arranged by which
about dozen couples were To leave Anna
surreptitiously aud go TO Chicago where
all were to be married. OF course we
entered in, o the sport of the thing. Mr..
Barnes and another young man agreed TO
be, o ne our side partners.
p" This morning the plan was ripe
On ly three girls and four men, includ-
ing Barnes aud Morris, besides us, were
ready to 60. We walked to Jonesboro
aud there boarded wagon which was
hired beforehand, and which took US TO
Alta Pass.
Here all OF us except Morris got tn
the train. Morris told us to buy tickets
TO MurphysLoro and from there pay our
fare to st. Louis ia cash, so rs to throw
off SUSPICION. Morris did not come as
his girl was afraid TO leave home.
AT Murphysboro all the party ex cept
my sister, myself and Mr.. Barnes lett the
train. We came here aud our arrest
followed. L want TO 20 To my brother in
Chicago. He is willing to receive us,
and / know my father will not relent."
The girls we're placed in charge of
Police Matron Harris and their parents
were notified.