Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-25

Subdue and Garry Him Otto the
City Prison, Whence he is Trans
ferred to an Asylum.
Hot Springs, Ark. February 24.-The
sensation created by G. c. Barnum, OF
ST. Louis, the aged father-in-law of
General Manager w. B. Doddridge, Of
the Missouri Pacific railway, has not
yet subsided, but continues the chi4f
topic of conversation on the streets and
in the hotels.
It is now denied by the friends and
relatives of Mr.. Barnum that his sad
mental condition is due TO the failure
on the part of Mrs A. p. McCrary to re-
ciprocate his love. The facts in the
sensational affair have at last come TO
the surfce, Notwithstanding the efforts
on the part of friends to suppress them
on account Of the prominence of Mr..
Rarnum and his family. Ii appears
that Mr.. Banum while on a visit TO this
city last fall first met Mrs. McCrary.
IL was case Of love at first sight on
his part. He promptly paid his bill at
the Arlington Hotel and engaged rooms
at Mrs. McCrary's fashionable board
ing house.
He paid the widow every attention,
and his love increased until it finally
eliminated in a plain, blunt PROPOSE
ton Of marriage The widow did not
accept his offer, but told him to first
consult his son-in-law. Mr. Doddridge,
and if there was no serious opposition
from the latter she might accept if Mr..
Barnum would give her time to con-
slider the matter fully. With this slight
assurance the old man packed his grip
and returned to St. Louis.
HE PRESSED HIS SUIT.
The widow thought she had got rid
of him, but he put in an appearance
again about a week ago, and again
became her guest. He renewed the
prosecution of his suit for her hand and
heart, but met with disappointment.
although their relations remained
quite friendly. Little notice was taken
of the matter outside Ofthe boarding
house, however, until Mr. Barnums
mind gave way. Then he arose at
midnight and proceeded to the room
occupied by the object of his affec-
tions.
he was not admitted. so he raised a
row which disturbed the whole neigh
bOrhOod. He hurled a small stone
through the panel of the door Of Mrs.
McCraTy's S room. and then began 10
destroy the furniture. Pandemonium
followed. Women shrieked MURDER
Guests of the Hotel Eastman, near by,
were aroused, and a crowd of men rush
ed over expecting to find a terrible
tragedy.
Four policemen grappled with the in
sane old man, and after a desperate
struggle subdued him. At intervals
he would speak of his love for Mrs
McCTary, and he told the policemen he
did not care what they did with him
if his honor could be preserved. He
loved Mrs. McCrary and must marry
her.
HIS RAVINGS.
Mr. Barnum was taken from the
house with difficulty and locked in
cell in the city prison. No one could
do anything with him. First he would
insist that he was to be the next Pres
ident of the United States. and then
his mind would revert to the widow
He would rave about her. eXtole her
virtues in fowery language and then
say some comical things about her.
Though seventy-One years old he is a
powerful man. and he handled a large
policeman with the same ease that
an athlete would foot ball. He was
so violent that they finally concluded
not to go near him, and he remained in
the prison until a physician and three
guards arrived in private car from St.
Louis and conveyed him TO St. Louis,
where he will be placed in an asylum.
Much trouble was experienced in get
ting him from the prison TO the car.
It required the combined efforts OF
three strong men TO keep him in the
carriage. In his rawlings he declared
that he would return to the widow in
spite of everything. II is believed that
he is hopelessly insane, ana his love
affair is the sole cause attributed for
his sad mental condition.