Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-09
JUST ESCAPES BEING
AN UNWILLING BRIDE
sUlToR FORCES GIRL TO GO
BEFORE MINISTER
Saved at the Last Minute-She APP
peaIed to the Pastor for Protec-
ton and He Seized the
Bridegroom

OCEAN GROVE, Oct<>S.-Believing her
life to be in jeopardy, Miss Belle Grouse,
daughter of the Rev. N. p Grouse of
Stanhope, N. j., was forced yesterday
afternoon to accompany her frantic and
discarded wooer, Percy c. Bissell, also of
Stanhope, to the residence of the Rev.
Charles N. Griffin in Asbury park, where
she was saved from an unwilling mar
riage by calling upon the minister for
protection.
Miss Grouse has been stopping with her
parents at an Ocean Grove hotel. Her
father Is the pastor of Presbyterian
church in Stanhope. They were forced to
leave their North Jersey home in order
to protect Miss Grouse from Bisselrs un-
welcome attentions. The youth, who is
student at the state normal school,
Trenton, learned of the girls where
abouts and arrived here yesterday
Meeting the girl on the street, Bissell,
who was greatly excited, demanded that
she marry him Immediately. She fatty
refused and begged him to leave town.
Miss Grouse says she pleaded with him
for nearly two hours. Finally Bissell
said he had a revolver, and that If she
refused to marry him he would shoot
her and then himself. He showed the
girl a loaded revolver and she, becom-
ing alarmed, agreed to accompany him to
Dr. Griffin's residence in Asbury park
Griffin and says she consented to ac-
company Bissell because she believed she
could escape him at DR.. Griffins house.
Calling a carriage, the couple were
driven to the Griffin residence. The min
lister had inquired as to their ages. and
was proceeding with other questions When
Miss Grouse broke down and told her
story. DR.. Griffin threw his arms around
the young mans neck, 1t is said, and
after brief struggle succeeded in quiet
ing him. He was held prisoner until
Miss Grouse had returned to her boarding
place in Ocean Grove, when he was re-
leaseo. Miss Grouse had barely entered
the hotel when Bissell arrived. broke
through a window and demanded to see
her, He was told that she was not at
home, and left the place. Later he was
arrested by policeman and ordered to
leave the resort at once, which he did.
Bissell's courtship of Miss Grouse had
been strenuously objected to by her
parents. Bissell is a member of the First
Presbyterian church of Stanhope, sang
in the choir and taught a class in the
Sunday school, and his parents are lead.
ing members of the church The girls
father on Monday of this week told his
daughter things which caused her to
write Bissell a letter at the normal
school in Trenton, refusing to have any.I
thing further to do with him. Wednes-
day DR.. Grouse, Mrs. Grouse and their
daughter came, here, stopping at 76 Lake
avenue, Ocean Grove.
Upon the receipt of Miss Crouse's let
ter young Bissell left Trenton and went
to Stanhope. finding the parsonage
closed he came on to Ocean Grove.
Asked today what action he would take
against Bissell, Miss Crouse's father said
that he understood the young mans
parents had planned to send him south.
Mr.. Grouse said he would be satisfied if
the young man left Stanhope, and he
would see to t<that he did, He will tell
OF yesterdays happenings. he said, to his
congregation on his return home.