The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-28
LED POOR GIRL ABOUT
She Lived With VIM. R. Wright
Under Promise of Marriage.
The Wedding Day Set But He
Put 1t Off.
The Man Finally Arrested in Kansas
City on Several Charges.


VIM r. Wright, who used to travel
for the Topeka Tent and Awning com
pany, is in the county Jail with a serl-
Gus charge against him. In a warrant
which was served on him in Kansas
City Saturday he is charged with hav-
ing stolen a team of horses and spring
wagon. To this charge he will have
to answer before the courts in To-
peka But there is more to the story
Peter Snyder is a farmer who has
lately moved to Topeka from his farm
eight miles south of Abilene. He brought
with him his daughter, Lizzie Snyder,
who is "a years of age. When they
lived at Abilene VIM. r. Wright often
went on trips there for the awning
firm. He became acquainted with LIZ
zie Snyder and the two became en-
gagged. Peter Snyder thought we'll of
Mr.. Wright, and when he moved to
Topeka with his daughter preparations
were made for their marriage. May
% was the day set.
But the wedding did not occur. Peter
Snyder was kind and lenient with his
daughter and gave her the use of his
team and spring wagon. Mr.. Wright
and the girl often took long rides to-
gether. Ten days ago they went to
Abilene, driving the entire distance.
Soon Mr.. Snyder became suspicious of
the two, from things he had seen and
heard Then he got word from his
farm that his daughter and her lover
had attempted to sell 200 bushels of corn
which was his property. He immedi-
ately went there, but a few hours be-
fore his arrival the two had left for
Topeka in the wagon. They stopped
here only q short time and started
east. They took some household goods
with them, and it is said that Mr..
Wright made the statement that he
would get all of the old gentleman's
goods before he got through with him.
The police department was notified and
Chief Steele had cards printed which
ne sent TO different police departments
ordering the arrest and detention of w
r. Wright and Lizzie Snyder.
Friday the Kansas City police found
the couple and team. Saturday Chief
Steele went to Kansas City and brought
the man and girl back with him Mr.
Snyder went with Steele and drove the
team back to Topeka. Just as Chief
steele entered the Kansas City police
station Wright was in the act of sign
ing a sworn statement that he had
married Lizzie Snyder in 1888 at Salina
1t IS known that he had a wife at St
Joseph but he claims that he has di-
Vorce At any rate, his statement
that he married the Snyder girl in 1888
was Tor the purpose of convincing the
k ansas City officers of his innocence
ana erecting his release He had rent
ed a room on Magee street in Kansas
City and had some of the household
goods which were taken from Mr.. Peter
Snyders place in this city. Before
leaving Iopeka he packed up a trunk
ana sent 1t to Kansas City directed to
Peter Snyder said to a reporter: Ct
always supposed the fellow was all
rishC we mad arranged for their we'd
ding. let them use the team Occa sion
ally. But he made his brag that he
would get all my property and skin
out He claims that he married nv
n I'M arro,,
make her under age and I am sI1r>a sI,a
never had her parents consent He is
pad Fellow He has told several Diff
ferent stories"
W. r. Wright was seen at the co,,,,+1,
jail by reporter. He is a large man.
He said: -------
I have divorce from my other wife
am ready to marry the girl at any
time The old man let US take the team
and wagon. I'm no criminal I went to
Kansas City to get work picking ber-
ries- The girl went with me willingly
and we didn't run off a ALL
Lizzie Snyder is a fairly good looking
girl. She is now in a delicate condition
When told that Mr.. Wright had a wife
in St. Joseph, she said:
i never want to see him again. He
promised to marry me but kept putting
Il on. Long time ago he got me drunk
and ever since that time 1 have begged
him to marry me. He promised to
marry me surely when we got to Kan
sas City, but when we got there he
wanted me to take some medicine and
was afraid it would kill me-"
w. r. Wright is said to be a desperate
character He is said TO have soften
into trouble in Kansas City some six
months ago and committed an assault
upon a man, for which he was put in
Jail, but escaped.
The Kansas City police say that the
man has a bad reputation.
The girl is being kept at Police Ma
tron Thorpe's house until some dispos-
ition of the case can be made.