The times., 1901-04-07
LOVE LAUGHS At The LAW
An Interrupted Efopement Which
May Yet End Happily.
How II MatrimOniaiIy Inclined
Youthful Couple Appear to Have
Outwittcd the AIe1andrin Police
An Apparent Rinse That worked.

An Apparent Rusc Thut worked
The police several days ago received a
/ despatch from the Colonial Beach au-
thorities requesting the apprehension of
Miss Dorcas Butler, pretty sixteen-year-
old girl, from Oak Grove. Va. three miles
from Colonial Beach. who was alleged to
have eloped Wednesday night with Joseph
Jackson. That was as much Of the affair
as the police of this city ever knew Off
cially, but from Alexandria. TO which city
a lookout had also been sent; developed
a tale of elopement, parental interference,
and a probable happy ending that bids
fair to rival the stories told of the Old
Dominion in the days when the young
SWANS made off with their sweethearts
in the good old knightly way.
Young Jackson and his bride-to-be ar
rived at the Alexandria dock on the
steamer Harry Randall at 6-o;cleek- We'd
nesday afternoon, in perfect ignorance of
any action on the part of the young lady S
parents. As soon .as the boat had been
secured TO the wharf Sergeant Goods and
Policeman Deane, Of the Alexandria po-
lice force. walked UP the gang plank and,
after identifying the couple, took the
young lady into custody and conveyed
her to the police station. Jackson made
no attempt to detain his sweetheart, but
he evidently thought a great deal, and to
accomplish his plans he continued on his
way to this city.
Miss Butler did not regard her capture
with so much indifference, however The
police treated her kindly; made her com
Portable for the evening in the witness
room of the stationhouse, and in many
ways tried to lessen her grief at the sud
den termination of her journey 1t was
no use, however The young lady was
miserable. She spent the night in a hys-
terical condition, and it was only after
repeated efforts on the part of Policeman
Sherwood that she quieted down She
was told that her mother had been noti-
fled and would probably come to Alexan-
dria the next day to take her back to
Oak Grove.
Mrs. Butler did not come to Alexandria
Thursday A man giving the name of
George Wilkerson appeared at police
headquarters to claim the girl. however.
He said he was a member of the Colonial
Beach constabulary, and that Mrs But
Ter had commissioned him to bring about
the return of her daughter to her home.
Nilkerson told very straight story, and
after the proper formalities had been
complied with he took Miss Butler on a
sail boat and started for Colonial Beach,
ostensibly. although nothing has been
heard OF either of them since
While Wilkerson was In town Jackson
also appeared on the scene. He made no
effort to see his sweetheart. and re-
mained in town until after the departure
of Wilkerson and his charge, when he,
too, boarded boat, bound down stream.
The Alexandria authorities have heard
nothing more of him. While in town Jack
son was recognized by several persons.
and he is said to have plainly stated that
he did not want to see the girl ne had
eioped with.
The Alexandria police were congratu-
lating themselves on the successful man
ner in which they had handled such a
delicate matter, when on Friday morning
Mrs. Butler, the mother of the girl, ap-
peared on the scene and demanded her
daughter. The police were nonpussed
They told Mrs. Butler that her daugh-
ter had been turned over to Constable
of Colonial Beach, at her re-
quest. Then il was the mothers turn to
be surprised. She said she did mot send
and was much disappointed
at the turn affairs had taken. She de- |
clared she had not commissioned anyone
TO take charge of her daughter. Mrs. /
Butler then searched the city and tho !
country in vain. Miss Dor
cas-, Wilkerson. and Jackson were no |
where to be found.
Mrs. Butler was chagrined, to say the |
east. She intimated that she might make |
Il unpleasant for more than one person /
and finally declared yesterday that she |
would swear out warrant for the arrest |
had obtained the custody of her daughter
by false representation. Mrs. Butler /
would express no opinion as to what she /
-hought was the probable outcome of her
daughters departure from Alexandria !
with the Colonial Beach constable. 1t is
probable she will return to her home to-
morrow.
After Mrs Butler had expressed her
self the police Of Alexandria had a chance
% review the events Of the past four
lays 1t dawned upon them that it was
4 strange thing for officer of the law
% use a sailboat to make a journey when |
le was travelling in the interest of some
Jody else, especially when the officer in
question was also the sailing master and
rev of the boat 1t also looked queer
o them that an officer should attempt to
vail from Alexandria to Colonial Beach
With a prisoner starting at the hour
NilkersOn did instead Of taking passage
IN steamboat. In addition there was
something behind the apparent
Indifference of Jackson while he was in
Alexandria and the police began to think
here must he some connection between !
he departure of Wilkerson and Miss But
er and the immediate leave taking of
Jackson.
Altogether the police of Alexandria are
IF the opinion that the eiopement from |
Colonial Beach and interrupted at Alex
indria has been accomplished after all |
they have an idea that possibly they
we're completely outwitted and made un- !
willing parties to the affair. However, |
hey Will not know the truth until after
Mrs. Butler returns to her home