The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-24
HER CHILDREN FORSAKEN
The Husband Half. Crazed with Shame
and Anguish.
WAS SHE UNDER MORMON INFLUENCE
"Rememb Ne as Among the Dead, Weak
But Not Foul" She Writes TO Her Hus.
band. Efforts Begun 10 Trace
Them.
Especial to News and Observer. }

Greensboro, N. c., July 23.-This town
woke up astonished this morning when
it was learned that Mrs. Ida Stafford, one
of the most attractive and highly regard
ed ladies in the city, wife of Mr.. John
e. Stafford. and mother of four bright
boys from s to II years Of age had
eloped with j. e. Harding, for years
chief book-keeper for the Revolution
Mills, and man of exemplary habits.
The intelligence came like thunder clap
to the husband, the first intimation or
suspicion of such a thing he ever had
being the receipt last night of this let
ter:
"Mr. Stafford:-
''This letter is to tell you goodbye
forever. 1 hope your life will be more
satisfied in the future than it always
has been. Be good to my boys and don't
let them leave you. Look after them
not Cor my sake. but theirs and yours.
Don't break up house, but try and get
some good woman to keep house for you
and hold you all and our things together
| don't want you to feel that you are
to blame. for you are not. Don't try to
ried adopted daughter). Please don't
make any talk about my going or speak
of ito the boys any more than you can
help. do not wish you to ever give me
another thought. l am not worthy of
any good thoughts, especially of my dear
boys. You will find my money, also my
rings and other things in pistol box
Do with them as you wish. Do not make
vr1xy rfr,rr L.
member me as among the dead, weak
but not foul.
Goodbye, forever,
"IDA."
Mr.. Stafford received in the mail this
morning the engagement ring with the
stamp Of the Greensboro postoffice on
II. The ring is plain gold one marked
John to Ida-18S2."
Neighbors of the Staffords all say they
were excellent people and no breath of
scandal had ever been even limited at
Mr.. Stafford says this morning that Hard
ing had boardd with them and that he
never dreamed of any undue intimacy
between him and Mrs. Stafford or noted
suspicious circumstance.
The couple left on the late train yes
terday, in separate coaches. Tickets
were bought to Washington, but intelli-
gence received by the chief of police this
morning shows that they must have
taken train at Lynchburg for the West
Every effort is being made by Mr.. Stat
ford to find them. He had long con-
ference with State Prosecuting Officer,
Solicitor A. L. Brooks, this morning as
to the best legal steps to take to bring
the destroyer Of his home to justice.
Mrs. Stafford is woman of command
Ing presence, very handsome and stylish
in figure, IS years old. looking 20, with
splendid dark brown hair, large blue eyes
with Cupid-b mouth. She weighs
$50 pounds and would be noticed anywhere
as she is unusually bright in conversa-
tion, speaking quick and with animated
face
She was Miss Ida Alsop, of Richmond,
sister OF Messrs. Walter D. and George
w. Alsop, who were for many years en-
gineers on the Richmond and Danvillc
fast mail between Richmond and Atlanta.
Mr.. Stafford is the son of Rev. Mr..
Stafford, local minister of the Meth
odist church and for twenty years sheriff
OF Guilford county. Within the past
month Mr.. Stafford has been bereaved of
both fatcer and mother, they dying in
two weeks OF each other at the age of
81 and 7S and leaving large estate
j. e. Harding is the son of H. Har-
rison Harding, of Julian, Guilford coun-
ty, and is one of the most respected and
prosperous farmers, merchants and flour
manufacturers of the county. Young
Harding is twenty-five years old. clean
shaven, with blue eyes, light brown hair.
five feet, eight inches in height. weigh
ing $50 pounds. He has a short neck.
dropping in his shoulders to such an ex-
tent 1t is a deformity and with quick
nervous walk. He could be easily identi-
fed anywhere. Otherwise he is a we'll
formed handsome man, of engaging man
ners. He has been the confidential book
keeper of the Revolution Cotton Mills
here for five years and his employers are
pstonished at his conduct
The only clue to the destination of the
couple is from negro man, James
Brown, who says he carried trunk to
the station for Mr.. Harding and it had
a name like "Salt Lake" on the tag. He
must mean "Salt Lake, Utah." and If
such is a fact, 1t might have been for
a blind, or it might indicate that Mrs.
Stafford was victim Of Mormon influ-
ences, which Harding perceived and took
advantage of.
Greensboro is headquarters of the Nor