The Washington times., 1908-03-21
HEIRESS FLEES
PALATIAL !" JAIL "
FOR ELOPEMENT
Daughter of H. Clay
Pierce, Standard Oil
Magnate, EIudeS Pa
ternal Vigilance.

NEW YORK, March H.-The elope-
ment and secret marriage Of Miss Violet
Pierce. daughter of II. Clay Pierce, the
Standard OH millionaire. with James A
Deering, which were disclosed yester-
day. were the sequel OF romantic ad-
ventures, in which an Obdurate father
was finally vanquished in the game Of
love.
The wedding ceremony crowned with
success Miss Fierce determination 70
wed the man of her choice. II was,
however. only accomplished after sew
eral previous attempts to marry with
out parental consent had met with fail
ure.
Each failure of the eIopement plans
made the succeeding attempt more diff
fcult. During the last three weeks Miss
Pierce had been practically a prisoner in
her fathers home, at 10 East Fifty
seventh street Every entrance was
guarded and all the servants IN the
household received special instructions
not 20 allow the young lady out Of their
sight unless the father was notified
Puzzled by Her Escape.
II 90 not know how Miss Pierce was
able to leave her home on Wednesday"
said Mr.. Deer1Hg. the father OF the man
she married, when seen last night at
the Manhattan Club. Il understand from
my son that all access TO her had been
stopped and that every door was vigil
particular instructions not TO allow any
outside communication. How she ever
got down from the third floor without
being caught is beyond me, and / am
anN3Ously awaiting a message from
my son telling me how II happened
= was tremendously surprised. he
added, when my boy called me up on
Wednesday evening and told me he was
Haf % "a
I thought he and Miss Pierce had given
UP the idea until at least after Easter.
/ met them at the chapel after the
ceremony. but there was so much ex-
element that I forgot TO ask for de-
tails. He Is stIll in New York with
his bride. / do not know what their
future plans are. In fact. / don't know
the hotel at which they are stopping
Ny son promised to call me up this aft
ernoon. but failed 20 do SO. / suppose
he is too happy 20 remember any en-
gagements.
This Parent Is Delighted.
Il co not care what action Mr.. Pierce
takes il The matter. His approval is
not necessary. Ny new daughter-in-
law is q most charming, beautiful girl,
and my son IS decidedly a lucky dog"
Although Miss Pierce LEFT her fathers
home In a great hurry, she was not
altogether unprepared for a wedding
Journey. During the absence OF her
father at Tuxedo On a weekend visit
three weeks ago she had seizSd the op-
pOrtuuity 10 have all OF her personal
apparel taken from the house in four
teen trunks and sent 10 the Grand Cen
trail depot.
She had intended to follow her trous-
seau. but message 10 her father
brought him home post haste, and he
AZ % hAF win
the house There was a stormy inter
view between father and daughter. For
several days after the young lady was
under the care OF q physician, and l.
was said she was suffering from a Sc
we're cold. The day on which the sue
Cessful elopement took place was a.
ideal one for the purpose. II was rain
ing and sleeting and outside conditions
were so bad that those on guard In the
Pierce household thought for a time
their vigilance could be relaxed.
Miss Pierce took advantage OF her op-
pOrtunity and left the house on foot
She met Mr.. Deering IN a cab at the
corner Of Fifth avenue and Flfty-SeVenth
street, and they drove to St. Agnes
Chapel. where the Rev. DR.. William c.
Rodgers performed the ceremony. The
clergyman said yesterday: They ap-
peared very anxious 70 get married and
1 reformed the ceremony"
Mrs. Deering has only been living in
New York since last autumn. She has
previously been in boarding sc loOi in
Paris When she Joined her father here
last fall he leased the handsome resi-
denCe Of r. T. Wilson, jr, on East
FIfty-seventh street. The bridegroom
IS a graduate Of Yale. He is in bust
ness with his father at 1S5 Broadway,
and lives with his parents at the cor
ner Of Riverside Drive and 130th street.
At the home Of Mr.. Pierce all fnfor-
nation of the marriage was refused