The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-14
SUSPICIOUS ROMANCE.
Van Scooter and His Pretty
Wife Held by Justice
Nevin for In
veStigation.
MYSTERY OF A FREIGHT CAR
Contradictory Stories-A Scream
Queer Prospecting for Loans
The Girl Is Re-
fined.

young woman who was found in freight
car in the yards of the Erie Railroad
with a man, who claims to be her hus-
band From the actions of the couple
and the conflicting stories which they
told. 1t is evident that they are strenu-
ously concealing their identity. All that
is known OF them is what they told them
selves.
The woman, who is only 19 years old, is
refined looking, we'll spoken and from all
appearances has been brought up by re-
spectacle parents. She has soft brown
hair and light blue eyes, and her face has
an expression of innocence. The man is
about ten years her senior. He is slim
and of medium height and has shrewd,
Gissipated look. He gave his name as
John Van Scooter.
The two were found in the freight car
by Special Detective Vickers of the Erie
Railway. about $3.50 o'clock on Tuesday
night The car was standing on side
track at the west end of the tunnel.
yickers said that he was walking along
the tracks in the vicinity when he heard
a woman scream. Notifying the night
watchman on the premises, he started
with him to find out whence the screams
came. They made quick search of the
freight cars in the yard and in one of
them discovered the young woman and
her companion. The girl was lying on the
floor of the car with her head resting on
a pillow improvised from her companions
vest and his coat covered her shoulders.
The couple were taken to the Oakland
avenue police station. When the Ser
geant, who was at the desk, asked the
young woman her name, she hesitated
moment She was about to answer when
her companion, who was standing by
her side, nudged her on the arm and
whispered:-"Give your married name"
The woman then replied that she was
Mrs. John Van Scooter, and the man de-
cIared that he was her husband.
Van Scooter told story of misfortune
and hardship. He said that they both
came from Hornellsville, n. Y, where
they were married year and half
ago.s He said that he was formerly en-
ployed as brakeman on the Erie Rail-
way, but lost his position a short time
after his marriage. He then went to
Brooklyn with his alleged wife and Sc
cured employment in the oil works at
Greenpoint While in Brooklyn he said
they lived with Mrs. Brady, at No. 95
Russell street. A month ago he said he
lost his job and returned with the wom-
an TO Hornellsville. Finding no chance
OF obtaining employment there they re-
turned again to New York. When asked
how they came to be in the freight car,
Van Scooter replied that they were trying
to make their way back to Hornellsville.
They said that they had had nothing to
eat in twenty-four hours. Both denied
that they had raised any outcry in the
freight ear.
The girls clothing was In a disordered
condition and her face and hands were
dirty. Matron Wyatt of the woman's
prison, took charge of her, and Van
Scooter was locked up in cell on the
prisoners were arraigned before Justice
Nevfn, IN the Oakland avenue court, Van
Scooter told the same story he had related
on the previous night. The girl. however,
said that she had no parents, her father
having died when she was five years old,
and her mother when she was three years
old She said that she had an aunt liv-
ing in Sydney, N. Y, with whom she lived
before her marriage. The Justice asked
her the name of the clergyman who had
s.could not remember She said that
she and Van Scooter had lived In Brooklyn
about four months They resided q for rs sev-
land avenue. and the remainder of the
time they lived with Mrs. Brady at No.
to Russell Street.
The girl told Justice Nevin that she
wanted to leave Van Scooter because he
was shfftless and did not work. The two
were then taken back to their cells. The
girl was locked In cell directly over the
one occupied by her companion, who was
on the floor below. They had been in the
began to carry on conversation through
the floor. One of the attendants over
heard Van Scooter shout to the girl: Keep
your mouth closed and well get out Of
this. If you don't you'll get six months.
A News" reporter called at the prison
last night and interviewed the girl
Is this man Scooter your husband?" she
was asked.
..How long have you been married to
him?'
Eighteen months
When asked why she went over to the
freight yards, he replied that Van Scooter
thought he could borrow some money
from the employees on the railroad
He said that It sad was pay day. she
with him. We crossed the ferry from
New York and then walked along road
that led to the yards.
Then you were not on your way to
Hornellsvile, as Van Scooter stated?" in
mo, we had just come from there last
lis your companion acquainted with
any employees on the railroad?"
Il don't think he is
the freight yards?''
We climbed into car and when he
(Van fScoter) lighted match / saw two
rough looking men sleeping on the floor
J They got up and went away just after
we entered
apid you make any outcry?''
Ibid your companion find any of the
employees on the road?"
II don't know"
.'Do you intend to leave him if you are
ra1ea Sod ~
mo if he is sentenced for six months
/ will follow him to jail.
The Erie Railroad yards, at the west
end Of the tunnel, have long been known
10 the police as a resort for men and
women Of immoral character. Numerous
arrests have been made in the place.
Some time ago, the police arrested
young woman who had been lured there
for Immoral purposes, and II is alleged
that woTknen employed on the railroad
encourage the practice.
Police Justice Nevin has decided to
Vzff1 Seefef and his youthful associate
wf1i4 2ts held until the Justice can find
out Something that will verify their
stories. He Will write to the places
whtfe the couple said they lived in
Brooklyn and will also notify the au-
thorltiss at Hornellsville asking for in
formation regarding the identity OF the