Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28
SHERIFF'SW IFE
ELOPES WITH
BOARDER
MRS. STAFFORD LEFT HER HUS-
BAND A NOTE AND DEPARTED
BUT is FINALLY CAUGHT IN
NORFOLK.

GREENSBORO, N. c., July 26.-The
talk of this city has been Of the sensation
al elopement of Mrs. Ida Stafford, wife
Of John Z. Stafford. sheriff Of GVilford
county for 20 years, with ]. E. Harding.
one of the most prominent young men OF
the town.
The first information Mr.. Stafford had
OF the elopement came early Thursday
morning when he awoke and found his
wife missing. She had left where he could
easily find it the following note:
Mr. Stafford-This letter is to tell you
goodby forever. I hope your life viii b
more satisfied IN the future than 1t al
ways has been. Be good to my boys and
don't let them leave you. Look after them,
not for my sake, but theirs and yours.
Don't break up house. but try to get some
good woman to keep house for you and
hold you and all our things together.
don't want you to feel that you are TO
blame. for you are not. Don't try to md
me and don't blame Daisey Ga married
adopted daughter). Please don't make any
talk about my going or speak Of 1t to
the boys any more than you can help.
do not wish you to ever give me another
thought. / am not worthy of any good
thoughts. especially of my dear boys You
will find my money, also my rings ana
other things in the pistol box. My en-
gagement ring I win send later. Do with
them as you wish. Do not make my going
away a subject Of talk. but remember mo
as among the dead, weak but not foul.
Goodby forever. IDA"
At yesterday afternoon word was
received from the Virginia Pilot that the
eloping couple were in Norfolk. The mat
ter was referred TO Chief Of Police Scott.
who Immediately informed Mr.. Stafford.
Upon consultation with the state attor-
ney he went before Magistrate ]. NJ. Wolfe
and swore out a warrant against ]. r.
Harding for ''Fraudulently and unlawfully
KIDNAPPING and carrying out of the state
one Ida Stafford, contrary to the statutes
in such cases made and provided and
against the peace and dignity OF the
state"
This warrant has been forwarded to
Governor Aycock for his endorsement
and a requisition made on the governor
of Virginia. In the meantime a second
telegram was received saying couple would
leave Norfolk at seven O'Clock, and Chief
Scott, when informed of this, telegraphed
a reward offered by Mr.. Stafford, with
request on Norfolk chief OF police to de-
tain parties If possible.
Chief Scott went to Norfolk Thursday
night A wire from him received yester-
day is as follows:
''Charge against Harding dismissed this
morning He could not be held for alb
duction, Mrs. Stafford having declared
that she went with him of her own free
viii and accord and that the only induce
ment that was made was that he would
marry her if she would get a divorce.
Mrs. Stafford viii return to Greensboro,
leaving here this afternoon with Chief
Scott Harding win go to New York and
will return all Of Mrs. Stafford's effects"
Stafford, when informed of the above,
immediately sworn out warrants against
both parties for fornication and adultery,
wiring Norfolk police to re-arrest them
He says he's not satisfied at getting his
wife He wants Harding.
Stafford declares that he had no in
tirnation whatever Of his wife's mad in
fatuation of Harding, and had always
looked upon him as a clever and good
friend. He boarded at the Stafford home
for several months, and the entire fam
fly was very fond Of him.