Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-11-21
WEDDING DID NOT TAKE PLACE.


Intended Bride Alleges Thar the Would
be Groom Disappeared simultaneously
With Money and Jeweiry Belonging to
Her.
Charged with embezzling 500 and
stealing pair Of diamond earrings and
two diamond rings. valued at s400, from
Miss Esther Smith Of Philadelphia,
formerly of III Fast Fourth street,
Warren Brandriff, formerly OF this city,
was arrested in Pittsburg, Pa, Mon
day, by State Detective James p. Rat
ledge, and was arraigned before
Magistrate George II. Hollis, who held
him in $1,000 bail for the Court of
General Sessions, 81, 600 on each charge
Detective Ratledge had an experience
while working up the oase that he does
not care to have repeated soon. Start.
ing from Wilmington with very little
information. practically none as to
where Brandrih had Como, he succeeded
In locating him in the western city,
effected his arrest and was back home
and had him held Tor court within
three days.. From Wilmington he traced
Brandritf to baltimore, having gons to
that city last Tuesday, aud In Ba IT,.
more he found that the man be was
looking for had gone in the direction of
Pittsburg. The detective left Whining
TIN on Saturday night and arrived in
Pittsurg on Sunday. After searching
around the town he found board iug-
house at which Brandriif had stopped
and made an effort to engage lodg-
ing there. The boardinghouse keeper
thought she could not accommodate
MIN, as the place was full, but he rep
resented himself to oe d weary visitor
to the city and anxious to spend the
night there, and she consented, placing
him in room with four other men.
That night his room mates came home
in hilarious condition and made his
nights sleep anything but pleasant.
but he accomplished his purpose. He
obtained information which enabled
him to locate Brandriff Monday, aud
the latter's arrest followed. The pris-
oner consented to come to Delaware
without requisition papers and no time
was lost in bringing him here.
The warrant for Braudriff's arrest
was sworn out a few days ago before
Magistrate Hollis by M iss Smith and
placed in the hands OF the detective,
who went to work on the case at once.
Until last Monday Brandritf kept the
saloon at No. ia East Fourth street,
known as The Atlantic. 1t ia under.
stood that the money was furnished ty
Miss Smith, who lived in tho residence
portion OF the building. About two
months ago the place was sold by joseph
II. Snaveiy, and IL is said that Miss
Smith was the purchaser. Subsequently,,
however, Brandriff was there as the
proprietor Both had come from At.
lantic City. Miss Smith belongs in
Philadelphia, where her parents now
live. She is about % years OF age and
attractive. According to her story to
Detective Ratledge, she and Brandriff
were engaged 10 be married and the
ceremony was to have been performed
in Philadelphia last Monday evening.
That day the saloon had been sold to
George Leach, Jr. for $500, and Mr..
Leach is now in possession and has
been since last Tuesday, on which day
the furniture was moved from the
house and Miss Smith returned to At
lantic City. Az
Miss Smith told Detective KatledRe
that on Monday night of last week,
after all arrangements had been made
to go to Philadelphia and get married,
while she was in her apartments Dress
ing Brandriff was supposed TO be in
another part OF the building waiting
for her. When she had tiEished dress.
ing she made the discovery that Brand
riff had disappeared and so had S7O0 in
money part of the proceeds of the sale
OF the saloon, and between S400 and
$500 worth OF jewelry, including the
diamond earrings and diamond rings.
She remained at the house that night,
being unable to locate i3randriff, and
the next day he called her up over the
long distance telephone She implored
him to return, il Tor only half an hour,
while they could talk matters over, but
he sad he would not returnaand init.
mated that ne Was going to Chicago.
She then turned the matter over to the
author ities.
When Brandritf was arrested the
detective found s465. 90 in money aud
the following articles in his possess on
A gold watch and chain, bank bouk,
check book. diamond stud, diamond
and opal rings. tt
Brandrif appears to be several years
older than Miss Smith. The latter has
probably given up the idea of becoming
his wife and Wilt probably return to
her former home ia Philadelphia.
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