The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-05-09
WIN. PENN ELOpEMENT.
A Married Woman Departs with n Mar
ried Man of That Place.

For almost week past the quiet little
hamlet of VIM. Penn has been stirred to his
foundations over the sudden disappearance
Of man and woman who have cast the
marriage vows to the winds, defed the laws
of morality, humanity and decency and
el1ped.
Although preceding circumstances we're
such that many Of the VIM. Penn folks were
not surprised when the climax came, yet
there were many others who hoped for the
best Developments and circumstances, how
ever, sustain the belief in the worst A re-
porter visited VIM. Penn yesterday and
found those most directly interested resigned
to the worst aspect of the situation, and it
may now be announced that VIM. Penn has
fun fedged elopement as a part of its
history.
The guilty couple are Housley BirSett aud
Mrs. Mary Dunlap. Birkett is a man 81
years old and leaves behind a wife and three
children. The oldest child is IL years and
the youngest 2 years. The family is left
with carpetless floors and ne source OF
revenue, save that paid as board by the
brother of the recreant husband. Mrs.
! Dunlap, who is about 32 years old, lea tes
behind husband, totally blind aud five
children ranging from to 10 years old. The
husband owns double block, one of which
he occupies with his family, and has a
remaining bank account of about S40O He
says his wife took with her about 81, ,OO0
Reports have gone out that the stolen money
amounted to about 81 400, but the husband
says about 81 900 will cover it.
The case is a peculiar one. There are ac-
quaintances Of the family who strongly con
demn Mrs. Dunlap for her infidelity There
IL. IL. IL Al. 4
by the family came principally through her
hard toll. The property referred to was ac-
quired after the husband became blind
through a mine accident. ''She was always
hard working woman" remarked one OF
the interviewed yesterday. Others, includ.
ing the blind husband, said it was no sur.
prise that the couple went away. Brlett
was continually after Mrs. Dunlap.
The elopment took place last Wednesday
Mrs Dunlap left fome at about ten O'Clock
in the morning, telling her husband that she
was coming to this town to purchase dry
goods for the family. She boarded car at
the turnout opposite the VIM. Penn school
building. Shortly after Birkett was seen
walking along the highway towards Shenan.
doah. Yesterday teamster gave the infor.
nation that on the same day he saw the
couple together in town.
Speaking yesterday of the departure of the
couple Mrs. Birkett said 'Neighbors had
told me lots but for some time 1 refused tC
believe the worst. Matt. Dunlap was blind
and he and my husband were warm friends
My husband worked with Dunlap in the VIM
Penn mines when Dunlap lost his sight about
thirteen years ago, through blast. 1 knew
my husband spent nearly all his spare time
at Dunlap's house, but until a few months
ago, l thought he was there to keep com
pany for Dunlap. They used to take walk
on the mountain together. During the las
| few months my eyes were opened
but tried to persuade my man, and urge
him to settle down and get home for us
Several times we had left VIM. Penn anC
sought life in other places-the soft coal re
gions and other places-but my persuasion
| had no effect. On the day they disappeared
he walked down to the electric railway tract
and looked up towards Dunlap's. l SHOUTED
to him That's right, stand where your bes
| girl will see you,' but had no idea then o
what was going to happen. Mrs. Dunlal
left her home few weeks before and wen
down the valley. have since learned tina
they were to elope then, but for some reasoi
or other they didn't seem to have thing
arranged right"
1t has been learned that about week ag
Birkett had his life insured, and it is no,
believed that he did this to cover up
tracks.
Birkett spoke frequently of desire to G
to Cuba. Nothing has been learned
warrant the belief that he has gone in ths
direction, although there is nothing at han
to warrant a belief that the couple hay
taken any particular direction. Only OIL
clue is at hand, and that is that when Mr.
, Dunlap left VIM. Penn she wore lit
colored skirt. When seen IN Shenandoa
lister in the day with Birkett she wore blac
t satin skirt. Mr.. Dunlap has offered no II
A ward. Mrs. Birkett does not evince an il
clination to indulge in chase. VIM. Peu
a people, like Micawber, are slowly recoverir
from the shock, and waiting for something
turn up. The case has many phases mo
G unique, even for an elopement.