The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-01
Charge Mads by Mrs. Haas
Against Her Husband.
He ADOPTED HER WHEN YOUNG.
When His Wife Died He Proposed but Was
Rsfusst-Laisr Il Is Alleged He Re-
sorted 10 Coercion.

Philadelphia. Aug. 1.-The courts were
applied to today 10 annul the marriage
OF Caroline Haas to George F. Haas.
The story Of the girl and her lawyer.
S. c. OFT is that the complainant, who
Is now twenty years old, was adopted
by Haas and his wife from an institution
fifteen years ago. Last May Mrs Haas
died, and the same day, 1t is alleged,
the bereaved husband asked his foster
daughter TO become his wife. Horrified at
the proposition, the girl promptly refused,
saying that she was engaged TO marry
Robert vanblunt, OF Pittman Grove, N. j.,
on July l6 Haas showed anger but drop
ped the subject for the time being.
On July Caroline and a girl friend,
by Haas invitation, accompanied him to
New York to visit his sister. Mrs. Bar
bara Drexler, at No. s3l East Seventy
seventh street. There Mrs. Drexler added
her entreaties to the girl to marry her
brother. but she still refused
Then, IL is alleged, Haas threatened to
kill the girl, whereupon she gave her
promise with a view 10 gain time, and
then got her girl friend to telegraph to
her fiance. Nanblunt arrived in a few
hours but IL is alleged was driven OF by
Haas and his son who appeared at the
Drexer residence The girl says she did
not know of Nanblunts arrival, being
kept a close prisoner.
On The night of July 5, she alleges. she
was taken IN carriage TO the Church of
the Holy Sepuhchre and married a. the
pistols point. The marriage certificate Is
signed DR. Henry c, Potter, Bishop
Before starting for the church Haas
is alleged to have said TO the girl, when
the clergyman asks you il YOU are willing
10 take me 10 be your husband you must
answer ia a firm and unhesitating voice
that you are. III you manifest the least
hesitation of manner that causes the min
lister TO refuse TO marry US l will draw
a pistol and shoot you
Under this tnreat the girl acqulesced
In the ceremony, but a few days later.
a favorable opportunity she fed the
house. came here and spnt for her lover.
Haas is a member OF the Scots Tres
byterian church here and a teacher In
the Sunday school lie denies the girls
story through his LAWYER, Robert Wright,
and says the marriage was at the girls
request. Lawyer Wright SAYS that some
days ago Haas himself began divorce pro-
ccoflnRS.
Charles Sebcrt. Haas nephew who
lives at No. 33l East Seventy-seventh
street. said last night:
MY uncle took the woman from
founding asylum when she was three
years old and educated her as II she was
his own daughter. When his wife died.
after a proper time he proposed 10 her
and was accepted. They were TO he mar
ried in September ~ this year During
the week Of July my uncle accompanied
by Caroline and Miss Bessie Rrovn
same here 10 spend week with my
mother. Mrs. Drexler.. \ few davs later
this man Nanblunt. who ia nephew Of
Haas. came 70 this city and rang the
door-hell Of our house He asked 10 see
Miss Caroline She said she did not wsrt TO
sec him. and then confessed 70 Haas that
she was engaged 70 marry Vaublunt. THIS
made Haas mad and he demanded an
explanation. The woman handed Haas her
engagement ring given by Vanhlunt. and
requested that II be returned 70 Vsnblunt
and that Haas drive Vanhlunt avav
"The girl then assured Haas that she
wanted 10 marry him and the ceremony
was performed on July T. IN the presence
OF Mrs. Drexler and another woman"
It was stated that the ceremony was
performed by the Rev Thomas r
Hughes.