The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-07-02
A WIFE ELOPES.
She Goes Away With A Clerk-They Are
Run Down BY The First Husband.


From Baltimore Morning Herald, June %.
To have his wife run away with his clerk,
to be arrested for threatening to shoot her
and, after a weeks diligent searching and de
tective work, to find them living as man and
wife, and, as a finale, to enter suit for divorce
swear out a warrant that landed wife and clerk
in ;he Western Police Station-this has been
the thrilling drama that has crowded itself IN
the past week into the life of George Smlther-
man, a grocer, of 1852 West Franklin street.
George Staas. a years old, OF 3O4 North
Greene street, is the clerk. He was arrested
with Mrs Smitherman yesterday and is now
behind the bars. Upon his own admission he
has been living with Mrs. Smitherman at the
Greene street house since Monday, June 20
the date she left her home. He said last night
that she was driven from her home by her
husband and that he (Staas was rot so mean
as TO desert her." Staas quit the employ of
Smitherman the day after she left home
Five years ago, said Smitherman last
night, 81 married my second wife, Agatha
Null, daughter of David Null, of Cranberry,
six miles from Westminster, Carroll county
We lived happily until about six months ago.
when | employed George Staas as clerk in
my store. Since then our life has been far
from sunny. have INDUCED my wife in many
ways. | took her TO Europe last year, aud we
States. l have also bought her many presents
of jewelry and have always been kind to her.
But things came TO such pass within the last
six months that life became almost unbeara
able. At last she said she was going to leave
me, and all that | did aud said TO get her to
change her mind seemed of no avail.
"When | saw that she was going in spite OF
all my efforts, | gave her $500 and babe her
goodbye. She left me Monday before last
and Staas left the next day. | suspected that
they had gone away together and set myself
10 the task Of finding them. After several days
of fruiticSS work began To lose heart, aud il
was only due to her having me arrested for
threatening TO shoot her that learned where
she was living.
Smithermau was ar-aigned before Justice
Littig of the Northwestern Police Station,
Monday on the charge Of having made threats
to shoot his wife on sight. but was dismissed,
He admitted that the charge was true, but
when the circumstances Of the case were tie
lated the case was dismissed.
After further investigation. he said last
night, Il learned that they were living N a
room on the third floor OF S04 North Greene
street and were going under the names Of Mr..
and Mrs. Sloan. sent for nav wife and she
came to nv house. | told her that If she
could give proper accounting Of herself
SINCE she lett my house would start up an
other grocery store IN anoihc: part Of the city
for her This was Sunday evening
"She said she would lei me knnw this
Tuesday evening. This afternoon | Wcut
to No. 304 and went up 81 their rpoE. !
walked in aud said; How do you do. Mrs
Sloan Staas was in smother room, bat came
out Immediately. said Good bye, aud my
wife asked me il she should come around 10
the house. as she bad ssreed. aud I replied
''Nu: You Il never see the any morr,
This was only said as a blind. for ] bnrriea
around 10 the Western Police Station and zui
Patrolmaa Roche 90 accompany ne and arrest
them. | entered suit for divorce Monday.
Smiiherman made bis wife sign a release Of
her claims against hi- property wheu he gave
her S401 and babe her good bye.