The Jersey City news., 1899-12-14
BROWER is FREE.
He and His Young Wife
May Now Live in
Peace.
MRS. WILSEY GAVE CONSENT
Judge Blair Decided That
the "Joke" Was Sober
Earnest.

Mrs. Angela C. Wilsey, OF No. IS New
ark avenue, who caused the arrest of
Benjamin F. Brewer, her son-in-law, on a
charge of abduction, has failed In her pur-
pose Of wreaking vengeance on him.
Brewer was tried in the Special Sessions
Court this morning and acquitted.
Mrs. Wilsey was angry with Brewer for
marrying her daughter Mabel, who will
not be sixteen years old until June 30
Under the law marrying a girl under six
teen without the consent of her parents
or guardian IS abduction or seduction and
there is a severe penalty attached to 1t.
The young bride, who would certainly
pass for Is or 20 anywhere, was with her
husband in court and testified in his be-
half, although she was called as a wit
ness for the State.
Mrs. Wilsey was the first Witness call
ed. She testified that she lived at No. 55
Newark avenue, was a costumer and kept
boarding house. She was married
twenty years ago and had three children.
all girls. The eldest one died. Mrs. VIII
sey's husband is in the West. After Civ
ing this family history. Assistant Prose-
old Mabel was.
June" replied Mrs. Wilsey.
Have you any proof of her age?"
Eyes, have the certificate of the ply
sician who was present at her birth and
also a certificate from the Town Clerk of
the town in which she was BORN
Mrs. Wilsey produced the certificates
and Mr.. Van Winkle handed them up to
Judge Blair for examination She then
said that after her husband left her she
placed the children in the care of her
father, with whom they remained until
three vars ago. when she took them back
under her own charge. She continued
that she had known Brewer for about
three years. She met him at the house
Of a mutual friend. Brewer came to
board with her last July and remained
about four months.
Did he take Mabel out while he was
boarding with your" asked Mr.. Van VIM
kle.
'sThey all went out together replied
Mrs. Wilsey. II had lady friend stop
ping there and one of the other gentle
men boarders and Brewer took them out
Did they ever speak of marriage :"
"Yes. but l thought it was only joke.
Brewer asked me if he could have Mabel
and I said 1 didn't care. Afterward
told him that he couldn't have her. He
told me that he was going with a mar
ried woman somewhere in Pennsylvania
and when she got a divorce from her
husband he was going to marry her"
1.-THE records show said Mr.. Van Win
kle "that Brewer and your daughter were
legally married. Do you still wish to
prosecute him?'
..I do,'' replied Mrs. Wilsey, her eyes
swapping fire.
Mabel testified that she was married to
the defendant on November z by the
Rev. Mr.. Ruth of ST. Paurs NJ. E. Church.
She admitted that she knew that
she would not be sixteen until
next June She said she had kept COM
pany with him, married him, had no fault
to find with him and was willing to live
with him.
sDid your mother give her consent to
your mariage?" asked the assistant Prose
cutor
..she did, replied the blushing bride.
"Tell us what she said?"
"One morning at the breakfast
table one of the boys was joking about
Brewers and my running away. Brewer
asked my mother if he could have me.
She said, Yes, and I'll be glad to get rid
of her. Now she says it was joke
Brewer testified that he is twenty-six
years old and is employed as railroad
man at s62 a month. He has steady en-
ployment and he was single man up to
the time he married Mabel He corroho-
rated his wifes testimony about the mar
riage and added that Mrs. Wilsey told
him she was going to get married her
self -,
"Oh, what lie!' exclaimed Mrs Will
sey in a low voice.
Brewer continued that he was willing
to live with and support his wife and
that he had provided home for her at
No. 514 Jersey avenue.
Judge Blair acquitted the defendant
without making any comment His opin-
she said was a joke was sufficient