The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-25
Two Young People Plan to Run
Away Together
But Stern Parents Discover the
Plan and Interfere.
a Chicago Young Man Who Gets
Himself Into Hot Water in To-
peka While Trying to As
sist Young hrs. McGif-
fin to Flee to Her
Mother

A rather sensational AFFAIR occurred
in Topeka yesterday. although none Of
the incidents of it appear to have been
scandalous.
The young lady who figured in the
case was Mrs. Frank AIcGihin, wife of
Frank AIcGifln, who formerly lived in
Topeka. The young man who is most
prominent in the matter halls from Chi
cago. and his name is George o. Wal
ton. The faraily which is brought 50
unpleasantly into public notice by these
thoughtless young people live at zoo
Horne street, and are prominent in So
cial and church circles.
Mrs. Frank McGiGin, whose home is
in Chicago, and who is but Il years OF
age, has been in the city visiting at the
home Of her father-in-law, Mr.. John A.
McGifin, at 700 Horne street. 1t is I'M
derstOOd that the young womans visit
in Topeka was brought about by the
McGifins on account of some domestic
troubles which she and her husband
had had, and that it was hoped that
reconciliation might be affected be-
tween Frank McGihin and his young
wife.
But it is understood that the family
have had reasons for believing that the
young woman was really in love with
a man in Chicago named George Wal
ton
Their fears were increased when they
saw a telegram come to the house to
her. She read it and quickly tore it
up 1t was secured again piece by
piece and pasted together. It revealed
the startling intelligence that George
walton was on his way from Chicago
and that he wished to meet the young
woman at the depot, and for her to
have her trunk packed so that they
might leave Immediately.
The family pleaded with her, but it
is said to no effect.
The police were notified, and asked
to prevent what was called an elOpe-
ment. It was known that George Wal
ton would arrive from the east on the
Santa F'e at APT yesterday afternoon
and Mr.. John A. AIcGiff1n went to the
Santa Fe depot to meet the man who
was to take from his house his daugh-
ter-in-law. Detective ZeIler was there,
together with Patrolman Hale. Mr.. Nc
Gif1n did not know what the young
man looked like, but the officers said
they could tell which was the fellow by
the way he would act. When the train
pulled in, the three men of the rescue
party stepped to the rear of the plat
form to await developments. They saw
q tall Well-dressed young man with
smooth face, and dressed in a black
cutaway get off the sleeper. He carried
with him a grip, and Immediately upon
alighting upon the platform began to
look about anxiOusly for some one.
That is the man." exclaimed Mr..
AIcGifin excitedly. making a good guess.
Detective Zeller and Mr.. AIcGiffin
walked to where George Walton was
standing and asked him his name
Yes sir, my name is George Wal
ton" replied the young man, as he ex-
tended his hand to Mr.. McGiffin, think
ing that probably the latter had come
to the depot to welcome him to the
house where the young lady was stay
ing.
Mr.. AfcGiffin was not in the mood for
shaking hands. however, and he began
to talk eXcitedly to Mr.. Walton, using
some threatening language. He told
the latter if he ever came to his house
either he or his son-in-law would shoot
him down.
Mr.. Walton insisted that he had no
intention of causing any trouble and
that he was not going to elope with Mrs.
Frank McGiff1n. That he came to take
Mrs. NIcGiffin back to her mother in
Chicago, if she wanted to go. and that
his intentions were entirely honorable.
He did not know that Mr.. McGifin
had secured the torn up telegram.
Mr.. McGifin told him that if he took
2
have to pay to him $40 for he had been
put to that expense during her visit.
Mr.. Walton did not offer to put up the
SO, and said something about black
mail.
Mr.. McGif7n was thoroughly excited
and Detective Zeller took Mr. WaltOr
to one side. while Mr.. AicGihin went t
the express Office to telephone.
Presently he returned hurrie6lv and
told officer Hale that a message haC
been received from the east from the
young woman's mother, saying:
For Coos sake hold the girl until
come"
The detective and Mr.. Walton Wen
to police headquarters where a consul
tatiOn was had with the chief, and tn
latter said he could not hold the MAJ
as no warrant had been issued and III
Offense committed
Mr. Walton faced the embarrassing
situation quietly and would say moth
ing except that ne had no intention o
clipping with Mrs. NcC4iffin but was ;
friend of the family and had don
what he thought was right
All this time the young woman wa
shut up in a room at Mr.. McGihin'
residence, 200 Horne street
When Mr.. Walton heard this he ask
ed the police to investigate and de
manded that she be given liberty. ne
tective Zeller and Mr.. Walton Wen
out to the baseball game and the for
mer went to the McGifin residence Z
see about the young woman.
It took him a long time to convinc
the women at the house that he wa
the city detective. He demanded tina
he be given charge of the young wO
man TO take her to see the chief of M
lice Zeller thinks they mistook mir