The San Francisco call., 1897-12-23
Thrilling Scene Enacted
in San Mateo's
Capital.
William Beeson COnpels John
Leslie to Make Reparation
for Wrongs Done.
SAD DRAMA IN TWO SCENES
An Estinaable Young Lady About to
rows Syrnpathetic Friends.

Redwood City has another SEN
sation and society in that town is
greatly agitated.
William Beeson, at the pistols point,
compelled John Leslie to marry his
daughter, May, a girl of Is years of
age.
But Leslie and the Beesons are not
the only ones directly interested in the
thrilling drama. 1t particularly af-
fects Miss Rose Heaney, one of the
most popular young ladies in San
Mateo County, and whose hosts of
friends in San Mateos capital are di-
vided whether it were better so or not.
Beeson has resided in Redwood City
for many years. He is a hard-work-
ing, industrious mechanic, conducting
| a blacksmith-shop and carriage fac
tory. About four years ago Leslie,
who is a wheelwright, was employed
by Beeson. He lived with the family
and was treated as one OF it's mem
bers.
Two years ago Rose Heaney was
employed by w. H. Kline, proprietor
of the Capitol Hotel, as chambermaid.
| She was an attractive young woman,
about medium height with expressive
brown eyes and a wealth of brown
hair with Titan glints. She was grace
full in movement, intelligent and asSld-
uouS in her duties.
Leslie, with many others, admired
Miss Heaney. She, recognizing indus
try and the worth of toll, favored Les
lie and they became engaged, she be-
ing entirely ignorant of what was TAX
ing place in the Beeson house and
which terminated in thrilling scene
last Monday night.
Leslie was dual in his love-making,
for while he was paying attentions to
Miss Heaney he was also diligent in
capturing the affections of Mary Bee
son.
Miss Heaney and Leslie were to
have been married on Christmas. He
rented an unfurnished house, and she,
out of her hard earnings, was to have
furnished it.
Beeson, hearing of the approaching
nuptials, and feeling that his daugh-
ter had prior and stronger claims on
Leslie, resorted to heroic measures.
Between the hours of $3.50 and 10
Monday night, armed with revolver,
he went in search of Leslie. They met.
The enraged father demanded that his
trusted employe make some repara-
ton by marrying his daughter.
Leslie was evasive, but Beeson was
obdurate. Leslie, when he looked into
the barrel of the revolver, weakened.
III do it, said he.
''To-night"'
NO; tomorrow"
You'll do it tonight"
There was something in Beeson's S
voice and manner; something in the
frowning weapon which he held in his
hand, that warned Leslie not to pro-
craStinate.
Tonight" he answered.
License Clerk j. +. Johnson was
found and a license procured. Justice
of the Peace James Harmon was rout-
ed from slumber and he made May
Beeson and John Leslie man and Wife.
After the ceremony was performed,
Beeson, it is stated, advised Leslie to
| leave Redwood City, never to return.
On Tuesday morning Leslie took the
o'clock train for this city.
Miss Heaney was greatly shocked
| when she heard what had occurred.
She gave way to tears, but she de-
clared that her love for Leslie was
| dead.
Tuesday evening she came to this
city and will remain with friends un-
til the shock softens, when she will
return to Redwood City and receive
the sympathy of its entire population.