The Washington times., 1901-08-22
A YOUNG HUSBANDS FLEA.
Seeks to Obtain Possession of HIS
Bride of a Week.
Hnbeas Corpus Proceedings to be
Resisted by the Girls Parents, Who
Make Startling Charges Deny
They Are Hiding Their Daughter.

Richard Powell, who gives his occupa-
ton as that of bricklayer. through his
attorneys. Julius l. Pyser and Levi II.
David. yesterday instituted proceedings
in the Supreme Court of the District
looking to tie release of his bride of lit
tie more than a week from what he al
legged was forcible detention by her par
ents. In his petition he set forth that
Estella Morris was married to him Tues
day, August 10, and that she rename
that night at the home of mutual
friend adjoining her mothers house, 4O2
Twelfth Street southwest.
The following morning Powell alleged,
her parents forcibiy took possession of
the bride and since then. despite his de-
termined efforts to communicate with
her. he had been unable to do so, or to
obtain any information regarding her
present whereabouts He was confident,
he says, that If she were permitted to ex-
ercise her own will she would come to
him.
He asked for a writ of habeas corpus
to compel the parents to produce his
wife, which Justice Barnard granted
The papers were served upon Mr.. and
Mrs. Morris yesterday afternoon, being
MADE returnable this morning at 10
o'clock.
The Morrises deny that they are exert
ing any undue influence over their child
and assert that she is keeping away from
her husband of her own free will. They
also make most serious charges against
the young man, and say that it is their
purpose to prosecute him. Edward Nor
rts, the father of the bride, is employed
by the United States Electric Light Com
pany as night inspector. He lives with
his wife and seven children at 402
Twelfth Street southwest, where for a
time Powell was visitor 1t was not
thought. however. that he seriously con-
templated marriage, owing to his evident
youth.
Recently, Powell claims, Mrs. Morris
has not looked with favor upon his visits
to the house, and as a result he quietly
obtained the consent of the father, and,
securing marriage license. repaired to
the residence of the Rev. Stephen Browne
$50 Street southwest, Tuesday last, and
in the presence of Mrs Browne. Robert
Bryon, a mutual friend, and Alonzo Nor
ris, an uncle of the bride. the ceremony
was performed. That night he left his
wife in the care of Mrs. Taylor, who
lives at liza Maryland Avenue, adjoining
the Morris home. and the next morning
Mrs. Powell's father went to the house
and she was taken into his home Since
the door closed upon her nothing has
been seen or heard of her, so far as her
husband has been able to ascertain. He
AYERS, however. that his wife has been
kept in confinement by her parents.
When seen yesterday afternoon, after
the papers had been served upon them,
o h. ~l,..%
perjury had been committed in securing
the license, as it was therein sworn that
Powell was twenty-four years of age and
their daughter twenty-one, whereas. as
matter of fact, they said he will not be
eighteen until some time in November,
and her eighteenth birthday will be De-
cember l.
His actions have been most repre-
hensible throughout this entire affair.
asserted Mrs Morris While l was sick
in bed and Estella's grandmother was
dead in the house, Powell secured admis-
sion TO the house and was guilty of such
conduct as made marriage the only re-
course to save Estelles fair name and
that of our family / strenuously opposed
the marriage. not knowing the condition
of affairs. but when | had evidences of
what was about to happen L told Estelle
that | never wanted to see her again
This seemed to break her heart, and she
left the house Tuesday evening.
She despises the man whom she mar
ried and hopes that she Will never set
eyes on him again. 1t is ridiculous to say
that we are OBTAINING her against her Will
She is not in this house and has not been
for several days after her father brought
her home. Before she left she expressed
a desire that we should move away from
here and helped us to pack up in prepara-
ton for moving"
Mr.. Morris was equally as bitter in his
remarks and said that his daughter had
been sent away for her own good until
after nature should have taken its course.
Il am paying all of her expenses, and
her husband IS not in position to care
for her anyway. He is not a bricklayer,
but only an apprentice, and is employed
but a part of the time. The present
trouble is all the result of a betrayal Of
confidence. A supposed friend came to
me and represented that 1t was for our
good to have the ceremony performed and
that he would care for my daughter and
return her to our roof after the ceremony.
Il partially agreed to this. but my first
done was when my brother read In the
paper the next morning the account of
the issuance of the license. My brother
then told me that he had been present at
the wedding. Shortly afterward L
learned that Stella was in Mrs. Taylor's
house. next door. and l went in and
brought her home. Powelrs only purpose
now Is to find out where his wife is so
that he may disturb her. She does not
wish to see him, and 1t is my purpose to
stand by her and respect her wishes.
Il will be in court tomorrow morning.
but | am sure that they cannot make
Stella live with that fellow If she does
not wish to do so. Some fathers would
have killed him. but | am a peaceful man
and thought that l was doing for the
best"
When the Rev. Stephen Browne was
seen at his home, $50 b Street southwest,
by Times reporter he stated that he
performing the ceremony
very well, and that he had been told by
the contracting parties that they We're
twenty-one and twenty-four years old,
They seemed to be a particularly low
ing couple" said the minister, and | am
sure that if there is any trouble 1t has
developed since the wedding. | gave the
bride a marriage certificate that night
and the next day | was called on for an
other one and told that the original had
been torn by the brides mother in trying
to take her home
Mrs Browne, the wife-of the pastor, was
also present at the ceremony, and said |
that she had had quite talk with the !
Dung woman. who seemed to be perfect |
Iy happy and told her that she and her /
new husband were going TO housekeeping.
Powell is living with his parents at 93S |
b Street southwest. Mr.. Morris takes !
the stand that the marriage of minors is |
Illegal and that he Will take steps to have |
he marriage annulled and to prosecute |
those who have been guilty of violations |
Df the law In the case.
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The popularity of the bathing beach |