The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-04-17
MADE a HOT PURSUIT.
Rlnggold County Officers and Cit
liens Follow Fualtlves.

Sheriff Miller, County Attorney Full
Ter and numerous citizens of Monroe
township had hot chase Sunday after
noon and night over portions Of Ring
gold, Decatur and Clarke counties in
persuit of Gertrude Blackmore, who is
wanted to testify before the grand jury
against her step.father, George II. Price,
of Monroe township. The capture was
effected at Osceola at II O'Clock Sunday
night, just as some of Mr.. Brice's rela-
tives, who had charge of Miss Black
more, were buying railroad tickets for
Ottumwa.
1t developed last week that Mr.. Price
would be Investigated this week by the
grand jury on charge of rape, Miss
Blackmore being the complaining wit
ness. 1t occurred to the prosecution
that their chief witness should be taken
out OF the hands of the defense, 20 the
girls grandfather, Eli Landreth, filed
petition Saturday asking to be appoint.
ed her guardian. County attorney Full
Ter went Saturday night to Leon and got
Judge r. l.. Parrish to issue a writ of
habeas corpus. Returning, he met
Sheriff Miller and they left Kellerton
Sunday afternoon, being headed for the
Price home to secure the girl. Just be.
fore reaching the Price place they learned
that Mrs. Price, together with Mr..
PRICES brother, and his uncle from ILL
nois. had started away with the Black
more girl about the middle Of the after.
noon. The neighbors were warned
ont, and the farm telephone lines kept
humming in every direction. The coun-
try was secured, several teams being
driven until they were exhausted. At
IL o'clock at night Sheriff Miller and
County Attorney Fuller, who were then
at Decatur City, were telephoned by the
sheriff Of Clarke county that he had just
taken the party of four fugitives into
custody at the Osceola depot as they
were buying tickets for Ottumwa. Sher-
if Miller went to Osceola yesterday
morning and served the writ, getting
p possession of the girl, whom he delivered
later in the day to her grandfather, Eli
Landreth, at Tingley.
The charge of the state is that Mr..
Price, who is farmer and land agent
about 40 years of age, has been sustain
ing improper relations with his step
daughter. 1t is not claimed that VIC.
lence has been used, the ofense being
legally classified as rape because the vic.
tim is under Is years of age. Miss
Blackmore is now in delicate condi-
ton. She is ID years of age, and is the
daughter of Mrs. Price by her former
husband. John Blackmore.
County Attorney Fuller, DIR. William
Horne and Frank Landreth visited the
Price home Tuesday evening and inter.
viewed the girl. Mr.. Price had gone on
business week before to Joliet, ILL.,, 4
and after telegraphing there Sheriff
Miller and Mr.. Landreth left Wednes.
day for Joliet. Upon arriving there
they found the sheriff of Will county
had permitted Mr.. Price to come home
in charge of the latter's uncle. Mr..
Price and his, uncle reached Monroe
township Friday afternoon, and the
same evening the arrest was made BY
Constable d. D. Beard. Mr.. Price re-
tanned Spence 4 Smith as his attorneys,
He waved preliminary examination be-.
fore Justice Lineburg Saturday morning
and before night secured bondsmen.
HIS bail bond was, fixed lat 81. 600. MT,
Ayr News.
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