San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-08-14
MAD. wANDELL RESTING
Behind the Bars -Surrenderod by
Her Bondsmen in the Abor-
ton Case.

Since the recent arrest and con-
viction of Mrs. Annie L. Hoffman,
nee Wandell, for the cruel out
rage perpetrated on Annie Ham,
mond, and keeping a disorderly
house, there has been a growing
feeling of Indignation and bitter
ness among our citizens, and their
expressions nave been strong
and outspoken, against all parties
connected with the dastardly af-
fair; and they demand full in
vestigatiOn and rigid prosecu-
tiOn.
ON the night Of November 10th,
1892, Mrs. Wandell, who then re-
sided and was alleged to have kept
house of disrepute on Dawson
street, was arrested by the suthori-
ties and placed in the county Jail
on the charge of furnishing means
to procure an abortion, having
been indicted by the grand jury,
with James E. Obey, on November
3, 1892.
The story, as related at the time
of the arrest is sensational one,
i'm which there are many serious
allegations.
In August, 1892, James E. Obey,
conductor on the Southern Pa
cific railway, attempted to elope
with a young girl named Annie
Welter, who resided with her
parents on Avenue f. In order
that Obey might have time to per-
feet arrangements for the elOpe-
ment, he conveyed the girl to the
Wandell house for safe keep
ing. He was a "chum" of HOtf-
m IN, the present husband of the
Wandell woman, who was at that
time. so it is said, living with Mrs.
Wandell. The girls parents, when
Miss Weller was missing, reported
the matter to the detectives, and
the first place visited by eX-Detec-
tiVes OMeara and Van Ripper, was
none other than the house kept by
the woman now behind the bars of
the BeXar county Jail.
When the officers called Mrs.
Wandell stated that she was the
only person in the house. This
was not satisfactory, however, and
the two keen mystery sOlvers,
searched the premises. On enter
ing a small room, to their surprise,
they saw Miss Welter standing by
the window, crying. She was then
taken to her home.
The officers were informed fur
Their that Miss Welter was soon to
become a mother, the father of the
child being Obey, who, it is said,
has for years been forming the ac-
QuaintanCe Of pretty young girls,
and with good looks, slick tongue
and uneQualled promises, accom-
plished their ruin and started them
on the downward path to destruc-
ton.
A search was then made for
Obey, but he was missing. Tel
egrams were sent to all stations
along the railway lines in the
state, but he could not be located ;
it was too late, for he had gained
the knowledge that he was wanted
and fled.
1t was asCertained after Miss
Weller returned to her home, that
Obey and Mrs. Wandell had fur
nished the means by which an
abortion could be procured. The
facts were related to the grand
jury, and when they convened in
November, Mrs. Wandell and
Obey We're among the first to be
indicted.
a warrant was placed into the
hands of Deputy Sheriff James
McClOskey and the woman was
arrested as above stated.
Some days were spent in trying
to secure bond and finally hel
sympathisGrs We're successful, anC
Jack Davis placed his name to the
document. The matter had beer
running on for nearly year, when
on Saturday afternoon, Davis, &C
cOmpanied by an officer, went t
Mrs. Wandel's house, where sh,
was taken charge of, Mr.. Davi!
having decided to be released from
her bond.
Four men, two hacks, two off
GERS and the woman were seen fly
ing over the city an hour later
visiting every business hous
where there might be a possible
chance of securing bond. Finally
when So'clOck rolled around anC
the woman found she had no frienC
willing to assist in keeping he
out of prison, she marched straigh
to the county Jail, accompanied by