The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-23
NEARLY FORCED TO MARRY.
Taken 30 the Altar at the Point of
Pistol.
From the Philadelphia Record.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Harry Knapp. "a years old, a cigar
maker, who boards with Mrs. Emmett,
at No. 5l9 North Thrty-ffth street. this
jail, in default of $500 bail, on charge
of threatening to shoot the handsome
daughter of his landlady because she re-
Miss Elma Maud Emmett, p years
old, a dashing brunette, employed by an
Arch street firm as a typewriter and
bookkeeper, is the complainant against
Knapp. and the story told Mayor West
colt, of Camden, at the hearing yester-
day afternoon, was a most sensational
one. Miss Emmett testified that Knapp
had boarded with her mother for some
time, and had been trying to induce her
to marry him for a long while. She had
persistently refused, but yesterday noon
Knapp met her while she was out TO
lunch and swore he would kill her unless
she went to Camden and became his
wife,
Knapp, she says. showed her a big
revolver and a box of cartridges he had
purchased after receiving his wages for
the week at noon yesterday. He also
said he had been in correspondence with
the Rev. William Van Horn of Camden,
and had fixed Saturday afternoon for their
wedding day. He threatened to shoot her
on the spot unless she accompanied him,
and fearing that Knapp would take her
life Miss Emmett decided to cross the
river and trust to chance. Luck was with
her, however, although she had narrow
escape.
Upon reaching the residence of the min
sister the girl swooned away, but the cler-
gyman thought 1t was from nervousness
and excitement, and not through fear. He
revived the prospective bride with few
simple remedies, and then prepared the
affidavit 1t is necessary to make out in
such cases. Miss Emmett, after passing
through this ordeal tainted away again.
Upon recovering consciousness she asked
permission to go to the yard. Knapp first
requested the minister to leave the room,
and he did so. He heard high words pass
between the couple, and Miss Emmett
states that while the minister was absent
Knapp pointed the pistol at her breast and
again threatened to kill her unless she
went through the ceremony. The girl final
ly got the revolver away from Knapp upon
promising to do as he desired. Her inten-
ton was to reach the yard and sneak
away with the pistol but Knapp suspect
ed some trick on her part and took the
revolver back. He also insisted upon ac-
cOmpanying her wherever she went. FL
nally the Rev. Mr. Van Horn began to
suspect that everything was not ell right,
and he sent his wife to talk to Miss EN-
NETT, and she told her the whole story
while they were alone.
When the minister heard the status of
| affairs he went in search of a police
man. Knapp followed him and was hand
| ed into the custody of Officer Fitzsimmons,
NETT appeared there afterwards and pre-
| ferred a charge of attempted murder
| against Knapp, and Preacher Van Horn
| produced the revolver and cartridges
which he had found concealed in one of
/ the drawers of his desk Knapp acknowl-
| colt praised the minister very highly for
| his action IN the case.
! Miss Emmett returned to her home af-
| ter Knapp had been sent to jail.