Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-04-06


and sorrows of a somewhat romantic
com'tshlp, and who finally tliumphed
over an irate father and score Of able
assistants. They spent two or three
days in the city and then departed for
California, where they expect to re-
main for two months, enjoying their
honeymoon. The story of their court
ship and final marriage makes an inter
eSting tale
The groom, E. K. Tarbell is the pro-
priet0r of the WinOna, the leading hotel
of the city of that name to which the
citizens point with extreme pride The
bride is Miss Ella Tucker, daughter of
O. c. Tucker, a quarter-milliOnaire at
'he very least
1t was about three years ago that Mr.
Tarbol came to Winona, and being
gallant appearing sort Of a fellow with
considerable money he was received III
to the local upper-tendOn His hand
some figure and tlattefing tongue won
him favorS among the ladies' and sey
eral of them became badly smitten
Finally he met Miss Tucker, who is IN
only Child and was carefully watched
by her parents Cupid'S arrow pierce
her heart, it is said, at the first meeting
Not so, however, with her father II
took u decided aversion to Tarbell from
the start and forbade his daughter keep
ing company with him. Like a dutifu
child she essayed to obey her father
commands, but she lacked the strength
to resist the attentions of her not youth
ful WoOer, for Tarbell is forty-th"e
years of age, and ere two months had
fitted by she had become his promised
wife
Mr.. Tucker was Wrathful when he
heard that his daughter was engaged,
but calming his passion he proceeded
III a methodical manner to gather ev1
dence which he thought would be the
means of inducing his daughter to can
Gel her engagement. He employed q
private detective, whom he dispatched
with all haste to MOntrOse. Pa, where
Tarbell had formerly resided, that he
might learn OF the past record of his
prospective Son-in1aw.
This detective also visited Hurley and
La Crosse, Wis, at both of which places
Tarbell had formerly performed the du-
ties of mine host" Now it is alleged
that the detective discovered things
that tended to show that Tarben in his
past had been gay young man. These
stories were taken in the forms of
atfidayitS and We're shown to Miss
fucker who thrust them aside. Slyiug
that she had every confidence in Mr.
Iarbell, for he had admitted 10 her
when asked about his past that he had
Sown his wild oats, but had reformed.
She was induced by her father to prom
Use, however, that if it could be salts
factorily shown to her that Mr.. Tarbell
was not the man for her she would
break off with him.
Mr.. Tucker, as stated, is a wealthy
man, and he stopped at no expense
when he believed that his daughters
future happiness was imperiled, and
that by spending his money iudiciously
he could save her. Accordingly he sent
TO Chicago and engaged the services of
P1nkertOn detective who came to
Winona and proceeded to shadow Mr..
Tarbell.
What the detective found out has not
been made public, although it is known
to few; but at any rate Mr.. Tucker
thought he had found neough for his
purpose and submitted the typewriter
manuscript to his daughter. She thought
it was persecution, however, and again
refused to believe it. Her affianced's
word was more to her than any ordinary
mans statements. Mr.. Tucker was now
in a quanda1y, indeed, and he at once
went to a lawyer-the best money
could hire-and asked his advice The
lawyer had several talks with Tarbell
but succeeded in getting no satisfaction
other than that the statements that had
been presented to Mr.. Tucker We're the
statements of liars that could be bought
for pint of whisky"
Matters commenced to assume a Seri-
ious aspect indeed. The day set for the
marriage, April 10, was drawing near
and 1t seemed that the marriage was
inevitable. The lawyer became more
serious in his talks with the Would-be
groom, and finally on last Monday Sc
be postponed. A load was lifted from
the shoulders of the legal light, and he
@,,t iyI Il glad, bright smile when he
thought of the happy report he would
bring to his Client.
81 laughed too soon.
II had been fooled.
Tarbell had arrived at he conclusion
that his only hope lay in immediate ac-
ton and he summoned several of his
companions, and, after talking the mat
ter over with them, Mr. Tarbeu an
nounced his intention of being mar
ried lnStanter, and of them going on 4
wedding tour to be gone two months.
during which time" he remarked
the old people will have time to cool
Off He communicated his pllns to
Miss Tucker, and she told her mother
she was going out for the evening.
At II o'clock she returns and. after
chatting affectioIately with her par
entS she retired for a few minutes to
her sleeping apartment.
About II o'clock Mr.. Tucker went
to bed, but not to sleep. for he had a
premonition that there was something
wrong. At o'clock he could stand it
no longer. He determines that his
daughter shall be his and his alone
She should not marry that man Tarbell
even if she had to be locked I'D He
went to her room prepared to carry