The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-02-07
FIVE YEARS
FOR VARIAN
The Story of His Escpade
Told by Pretty Adelia
Cuppers.

Cyrie D. Variau who lived at the Clay
ton House one week in December with
Adelia b. Cuppers of New York, as his
wife and treated her accordingly, was
found guilty by General Sessions Court
Yesterday afternoon of using the girl for
immoral purposes aud was seutanced to
five years imprisonment, q sentence with
in Two years of the maximum penalty pre-.
scribed for tho olfense. r.
The hearing of the case brought out
many revolving circumstances, Adelja
who will not be l6 years OF age until May
20. whose childish yet pretty face proved
her tender years, told of having met
Vnrau in New York on November 28 OF
last year He advertised for ten young
ladies to JOIN n theatrical company and
Adelia was the only ono who proved cap.
able OF the part Narian demanded, or at
Ieast the testimony did not show that any
of the other girls were He told her they
would meet the company in Philadelphia
whittier thoy went ono week after he on
gagged her Upon arriving at the Windsor
Ho, el there, and engaging rooms, he told
Adelia she would have to be satisfied with
room with him as he had been compelled
to register Oh the hotel book as man aud
wife. Alelia objected, but after realizing
that she was in q strange city without
funds she consented to stay with. .Variau
who on the following morning promised
TO maze uec MS Wlle. hller Weoh . sway
at the Philadelphia house Variau brough
Adela here and registered at tho Clayton
House as they had in Philadelphia. They
staid together another week then Narlau
was arrested for beating his board,
Adelia then told the story of her seduc-
tion. She repeated 1t yesterday afternoon.
She also said that Variau had frequently
promised to marry her He did not how
ever.
Varlau pleaded his own case He plead
ed ignorance Of the Delaware law concern
ing the using of minor female for immoral
purposes; admitted that he had done
wrong to a certain extent and offered to
marry the girl he had wronced but his de-
fense had no effect on tho jury. Mrs.
Augusta B. Cuppers mother of Adelia,
gave testimony concerning her daughters
ago; of having at first been opposed to
Adeiia leaving her home with stranger
but Of having withdrawn her objection
when Variau offered as reference his word
as a gentleman" She displayed consiaer-
able anger toward the man who had se-
duced her daughter and at one timo
threatened to lay violent hands en- him
The jury found Variau guilty after
fifteen minutes delberation and Ia sen.
fencing him to pay fine of 5000 and to
five years Imprisonment Chief Justics
Lore said the case was very grave ohe'
'Indced l know of no grayer otfense than
that of Il IN an travelling hrQunu tne couu-
try seducing young girls SAID the courG.
We propose to rut u stop to it. Under the
laws of this State minor female caDnot
consent TO her use for immoral purpose.
The law will not permit her to make such
consent" Then the sentence OF tho court
was pronounced. x
As Vuriau was being taken from the
room ho remarked, "W ell n five years seus
tcnce ia better than n seven year one "
After the jury had retired the court dls-
posed of other business on the docket. he.
turns of divorce wcrs made In the cases OF
Wiford S. Smith VS.. Ella S. Smith and
Null VS.. Null. VI
Tho grand Jury found true bills against
Wesley Brown, James Blair, Samuel
Rodgers, all colored; Eddie Mulvey. Nor
man Dillman and Edward Sewell, for lar.
ceny Gilbert Potts and Elizabeth Potts,
both cccred, for assault aud battery. and
John Fl. Connolly for gambling. Brown.
Mulyey, Sewell, Blair and Rodgers plead.
ed guilty The others pleaded mot guilty
except Connol y, whose rase was not call
ed. Sentence was deferred.
Mr.. Cooper asked that the cnse OF Mara
Mellon, charged with assault and battery
with intent to kill be postponed, as the
prosecuting witness was Ill at the Dola'
ware Hospital The case was postponed
John Barkus, colored, who was charged
with q, ealing lap robe from Thomas b.
Heisler was convicted and -entenced To
five months imprs 'nmer and ton lashes.