Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-11
AN EXCITING ESCAPADE Mobile, Birmingham and Selma Parties Participated. ABEAUTIFUL GIRL THE CAUSE Frank Sheriden of Birmingham Eloped Wi.h
 Mrs. Graham. - CAUGHT AT MOBILE BY MIR. GRAHAM A Duel Ensued and Both Men Were Shot. The Young Wife Found in the En-
 zine Room-An Old Love
 Renewed.
\ BEAUTIFUL GIRL THE CAUSE
AT MOBILE BY MIR. GRAHAM


 from Mobile today tells of a desperate encounter on the wharf between M. S. Graham of this city and Frank Sheriden of Birmingham. 4
 Sherden and Mrs. Graham, beautiful young woman 16 years of age, eloped from this city Saturday. They left on the Nette Quill for Mobile and Graham went by rail and met them on the boats arrival in that city. Graham married his wife several months ago. He at the time was running a bar in a disreputa- ble part of the city. Soon after their mar riage the couple rented rooms at the cor ner of Selma and Green streets Gra- ham opened a restaurant on Washing ton street. They began to attend church, and the little woman, or rather the child, who is extremely beautiful, made an eff fort to lead a better life. After attend ing church with regularity for some time Mrs Graham joined the church and the ladies of the congregation became very much interested in her. Apparently her reformation was complete. It was rumored that the couple did not get along amicably. Last week Mrs Graham ap- peared to be in distress and confided the unhappiness of her lot to ladies occupy ing rooms in the same house with her.
 During the week a man named Haskell came to board in the house. He was well dressed and of respectable appearance. He claimed to be a civil engineer in the employ of the government, and that he was here inspecting cotton mills, an irN- possible combination. Saturday morning Mrs. Graham received letter from hei mother, containing news which seemed to drive her almost frantic. She wrun& her hands with grief as she related to the ladies in the house het efforts to lead a new life. She alleged i'll treatment on the part of her husband and said the news in the letter made her burdens more than she could bear She left the room, and that was the last seen of her.
 Haskell left the same morning, saying he was going to Birmingham.
 MT. Graham came home to dinner Sat urday and Anissed his young wife. Not finding her about the place he went out in town and after diligent inquiry learn ed that she had taken the boat for Mobile.
 Returning to his rooms he found that her clothing was missing, and later found note from her stating that she could not live with him longer, that she was going away and requesting that he not look for her. MT. Graham was almost crazed by the shock. He took the train for Mobile yesterday morning. He still professed implicit faith in his wife, and never once suspected that Sheriden, alias Haskell, had eloped with her. He ex- pected to effect reconciliation and re- turn to this city tonight. The special tells the balance of the story.
 Mobile, Feb. 10.-(Special to the Jour nal)-A desperate encounter with revol- vers took place on the wharf at Mobile at 10 o'clock last night, upon the arrival of the river steamer Nettie Quill, the par ticipants in which were M s. Graham of Selma and Frank Sheridan of Birming- ham, Daily Herald reporter was on the scene ten minutes later and obtained full particulars from the two men and the beautiful young wife of Graham, about whom the affray was caused. from Selma at noon Saturday, boarding the Nettie Quill for Mobile. Graham learning of his wife's perfidy, boarded the first train for Mobile. He was waiting for the couple when the boat arrived. He dealt Sheridan a blow with revolver felling him. A duel at close range follOw- ed the young suitor firing two shots as he retreated. Graham was taken to the city prison. Later Sheridan was appre- hended He is wounded in the left shoul- der. Mrs. Graham was found on the boat hiding among the machinery. She and Sheridan claim that they met accidental ly in Selma. They were engaged to mar ry in Birmingham several years ago and the old love was renewed, Graham's al legged cruelty causing Mrs Graham to abhor him. Both declare that they will yet marry Graham is 40 years old, and is a former Mobilian. He had two broth CTS drowned in Mobile bay during the storm of October, 1893. Mrs. Graham states she was married near Birming- ham several years ago to one PinweI She is not over IS years old and extreme 1y pretty.