Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-30

Danville, Ind, December 29.-The
secret marriage OF Mrs. jeanette Lacrosse
TO James French, which occurred No
vember Sth. was made public to-day
and is a happy sequel TO the l.fe drama
| of the contracting parties, replete with
thrilling situations and romantic cir
cums,ances, although story calculated
TO gladden. the heart OF the modern
writer OF fiction.
In 1878 James French was a young
law student doing Office work for Ed
wards & Farrell, at that time the lead
ing law firm of this city. One morning
the young man had the audacity TO seek
an audience with the junior member of
the firm and ask the hand of Mss Jea-
nette Farrell, his employers daughter,
in marriage.
HIS request was
RMPHATICALLY REFUSED,
and he was ordered 10 refrain from
again visiting the daughter. Entreaties
with the irate father were Of no aval.5
and rather than take his sweetheart
from a better home than he could pro-
vide, French reluctantly needed Mr..
FarrelTs command by d.scontinuing his
visits.
One year later, actuated by the per-
suasions OF her father, jeanette was
married to John Lacross, a wealthy
young dentist, who pad more attention
to sporting events than to his business.
He owned
A STRING OFtTsST HORSES
and was every ready to back good
thing off the board"
No matter what the other fellows did.
John Lacross always took his straight,
with the possible exception Of little
water on the side. HIS money however,
gave him a place IN society, and he was
considered a good catch" by the most
fast,dious matrOns Of Danvil.e.
He had been married but short time
when his w;fe's father d,ed, and then
his true nature began to assert itself.
He spent his time in the saloons or gam
bling houses, and was not ayerse TO the
smiles of women
OTHER THAN HIS WIFE
This manner Of living was not in az
cordance with the IDEAS Of Mrs. Lacross,
and one morning. after she had at
TEMPTED to entreat her husband ana had
been knocked down for her trouble, she
called at the office Of her former sweet
heart James French, who had, in the
meantime. been admitted TO the prac-
tice of law. and sought his advice Win
a view to secure a divorce.
French advised her against this, and
said he would have atalk with her hus-
band.
He met the latter a short time after
ward. and asked him to accompany him
10 his office. Iacross did so. A few mo-
ments later
THREE SHOTS WERE HEARD.
The crowd which rushed into French's
office found the young attorney selted'
at his desk. holding in his hand re-
volver. while Lacross lay upon the hoor
at his feet dead.
French was arrested on charge OF
murder. During the trial which follow
ed some of ths leading attorneys in
the State participated, French beng as
sisted financially by Mrs. Lacross. while
the dead mans family were equally
jealous in their efforts to secure his
conviction.
The defendant testified in his own be-
half and said that after he and Lacrosa
had reached his Office On the day OF tha
tragedy he told the latter Of his wife's
visit and advised him to change his
course: that Lacross grew angry and
accused him Of meddEng with his affairs
and attempting
TO RUIN HIS HOUSE;
that then in self-defense the defendant
shot him.
While many people believed the young
lawyers story the jury evidently did
not. for. after being out almost two
days. they returned a verdict finding the
prisoner guilty Of manslaughter and fix
ing his punishment at twenty-one years
in prison.
The customary motion for new trial
was overruled. this decision being sus-
tanned later by the Supreme Court
With the exception Of the time hs
gained by good behavior French served
his sentence, being released last Sep
tomber. He returned to Danville imme-
diately and sought out his old love, Mrs.
Iacross, who since his conviction had
lived a retired life at the home Of a
brother. Vows made years ago were
renewed and the wedding took place as
above stated.