The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-12
Sends Two Hundred Letters
Asking for Hand Of
MilliOnaire's Daughter.
SAYS FATHER HOUNDS Him
Was Once a Newsboy, Then Edu.
Gated Himself to Be a Lawyer
Threatens Suicide if He
Does Not Get the Girl.
Said to Be Unbalanced.

NEW YORK. Oct 12.-For over two
years Charles G. Roehling president of
the John A. Roebings Sons Company
of Trenton, N. j., the world famous
wire cable manufacturers, has been In
almost daily receipt of letters written
him by Benjamin A. Freeman, a young
attorney of the Mercer County IN. J)
bar, demanding the hand of his daugh-
ter, Miss Helen Roebling. Occasionally
Miss Roebling has received notes from
the young man.
Mr.. Roebling has never answered any
of the communications, but has re-
fused to return them to the writer.
Mr.. Freeman, who is 81 years old and
self educated, conceived the idea that
Miss Helen Roebling, whom he met
cnly once, is infatuated with him; that
Mr.. Roebling far from being opposed
to the match, is anxious to have him
as a son-in-law, but is determined to
force Freeman to marry under condi-
tions distasteful to him.
Charles G. Roebling lives in a man
sion on State street, Trenton, and is
many times millionaire. The Roeb-
lings dominate Trenton society, and
Miss Helen and her elder sister, Miss
Emily, are social favorites. Miss Helen
made her debut in 1905 and at once att
tracted host of admirers.
She is a dainty demi-brunette, with
piquant features and a vivacious tenn
permanent. She, is much given to au-
tomobiling and drives her own electric
machine about Mercer County.
Mr.. Freeman says he met her at
the theatre, passed half a dozen words
with her and never thereafter had
speech with her. He is nevertheless
convinced that he would be accepted
by the young woman if Mr. Roebling
would "be reasonable
Freeman, strapping big fellow
with strong features, is the son of
Joseph Freeman. He is one of five
brothers. Benjamin supported himself
and contributed to the support of his
parents selling newspapers. He passed
through High School and studied law
in the office of Judge Vroom. He was
admitted to practise at the Mercer
County bar in November, 1902.
He was regarded as q particularly
bright young man and rapidly built up
a practise. He was candidate for as
sstant prosecutor of the pleas and later
sought the Office of assistant United
States District Attorney.
From the time he met Miss Roebling
Freeman was a changed man. He neg
lected his practise. He asserts he was
prosecuted by the rich father of the
young woman. He declares that he
was pursued by detectives, men and
women; that Mr.. Roebling followed him
with persistency, finally buying through
an agent the house in which the Free
man family live at 314 South Broad
street, for the purpose of ejecting the
family and thus embarrassing the
young lawyer
Three weeks ago Freeman suddenly
left Trenton, coming to New York. He
told his friends he came here to ac-
cept a position with big corporation.
Since that time he has continued to
address Mr.. Roebling, and last Sat
urday wrote him final note, declaring
that, in event of Mr.. Roebling longer
ignoring him, he would publish him in
200 newspapers.
Mr.. Roebling says he feels sorry for
the young man, but that constant pur-
suit Of his daughter must cease.
"The letter writing began nearly two
years ago." Mr.. Roebling said last
night. "The letters remained unan-
swered.
One night Freeman presented him.,
self at the door and requested that
his card be carried to my daughter
Helen. My daughter handed the card
to me and I saw the young man. He
acted so extraordinarily and made such
ridiculous demands that was obliged
to eject him.
"These letters are remarkable for
their hallucinations and their incof1er-
ency" said Mr.. Roebling 81 have got
them-a couple of hundred of them.
Freeman has demanded their return,
but / think best to keep them. My
daughter does not know Freeman, and
I doubt if she ever passed dozen
words with him. even doubt if she
knows him by sight. 1t is case of
pure imagination"