Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-04-20
Altxs,saria 9asette.
MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 20, 1896.

NEARLY FORCED TO MARRY.
Harry Kuapl., "a years old, cigar
msker, who boards with Mrs. Emmett,
in Philadelphia, is locked up in the
amdeu county jail, in default of $500
bail, on charge ofthreatening 10 shoot
he handsome daughter Of his landlady
because she reins, TO marry him.
Miss Elma Maud Emmett, 81 years
old, a dashing brunette, employed by
an Arch street firm as u typewriter and
haokkeeper, is the complainant against
Knapp, and the story told Mayor West
1T, of Camden, at the hearing Satur-
d ", was a most sensation al one. Miss
E rmett testified that Knapp had board
=, aith her mother for SOME time, and
haI hyeD trying TO induce her TO marry
b IN for long while. She had persis-
t, nty refused, but Saturday noon
Knapp met her while she was out t"
| lllch and swore he would kill her un-
| less she went to Camden and became
lis wife.
Knapp, she says, showed her big
revolver and box OF cartridges he bad
purchased after receiving his wages for
the week at noon Saturday He also said
he had heen in correspondence with
R.v. William Van Horn, Of Camden,
and had fixed Saturday afternoon for
heir wedding day. He threatened 10
shoot her on the spot unless she accom-
panied him, and fearing that Knapp
.l.uld take her life Miss Emmett lie
ided to cross the river and trust to
,hance. Luck was with her, however,
although she had a'narrow escape.
Upon reaching the residence of the
minister the girl swocned away, but
the clergy man thought it was from
nervousness and excitement and not
! through fear. He revived thelprospec-
tive bride with few simple remedies,
and then prepared the affidavit it is
necessary to make OFT in such cases.
Miss Emmett, after passing through
this ordeal, tainted away again. Upon
recovering consciousness she asked per.
mission 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
the pistol at her breast and again
threatened to kill her unless she
went through the ceremony. The girl
finally got the revolver away from
Knapp upon promising to do as he
| desired. Her intention was to reach
the yard and sneak away with the pis-
tol, but Knapp suspected some trick on
her part and took the revolver back.
He also insisted upon accompanying
her wherever she went. Finally Rev.
Mr.. Van Horn began to suspect that
everything was not all right, and he
sent his wife to talk to Miss Emmett,
and she told her the whole story while
they were alone.
When the minister heard the status
of affairs he went 10 search of police
man. Knapp followed him and was
handed into the custody of Officer Fitz-
simmons, who took him to the City
Hall. Miss Emmett appeared there
afterwards and preferred charge of
attempted murder against Knapp, and
Preacher Van Horn produced the re.
volver and cartridges which he had
found concealed in one of the drawers
of his desk. Knapp acknowledged
hiding them them there, and Mayor
Prescott praised the minister very
highly for his action in the case.
Miss Emmett returned to her home
after Knapp had been sent to Jail.