Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-25
Mrs. Thomas Mason, Jefferson,
Sets Law on Husband and
Young Girl
MAN LEFT FAMILY DESTITUTE
The Affair Has Caused Big Sensation,
as Mason, u Photographer, is We'll
Known All Over Green County
Drew Money From Bank Leaving
Unsuspectins Wi,'e Only Small Sum.
Special to rlmes-Republlcan.


Jefferson, Feb. 25.-A sensation was
created in this city today when 1t be-
came known that Mrs. Thomas Ma
son had filed a warrant for the arrest
of her husband, who, it Is alleged
eloped with a 20-year-old girl, Mass
Edna Leek, about three weeks ago.
Mr.. Mason has been in business here
for five or six years, and has a large
family, most OF the children ranging In
are from to 10 years. Mr.. Mason has
been in the photograph business. About
three years ago, Miss Leek came to
this city from Bagley. with her father
and smother, and engaged to learn the
photograph business under Mason.
They became intimately acquainted
from that time, and 1t Is stated by
Mrs. Mason that she has missed the
love which her husband once had for
her.
Mr.. Mason has left his wife desti-
tute. having taken from the bank his
account the day before he left, and the
wife and children have been in dis.
tressing situation for several days. As
an excuse to leave, Mr.. Mason told his
wife that he was going west to buy
q piece Of land and that he would be
away but short time. A little money
was left her at the time, so the woman
suspected nothing. AS means by
which it became possible for Miss Leek
to leave, she told her parents and also
Mrs. Mason, that she was going to a
certain point in Illinois to visit friends
and relatives, and would be gone but
short time. The money was soon ex-
pended which was left by Mason, going
for the needs Of the family, and later,
on going to the bank, where she was
sure funds were available, she was
shocked and surprised to find that the
large account which she knew her hus-
band had, had been withdrawn, and
that there was not a cent there 1t
was but a short time when she found
that numerous debts had been left, in
GLIDING rent for the building In which
they had the gallery, and also the
house rent which had not been paid
for an even longer period. At that
time the woman did not suspect
her husband and the girl, whom she
had taken into her home and treated
as one of the family. What
little money she could secure on
bills which had ioeen left, kept her from
dire distress. A letter was dispatched
to her hus - ID. but in . short time it
came back. unclaimed.
Two weeks had passed, and Mason
and the girl were touring thru the
west having glorious time together.
Colorado was reached and Miss Leek
wrote q letter back to her sister in
Bagley, the full account of the affair.
She stated that both she and Mr.. Ma
son had become 50 infatuated with
each other, that 1t was best that they
should leave. She also stated that Mr..
Mason was not to blame, but that all
the blame should be placed upon her.
AS soon as the, letter was brought to
Mrs. Mason she swore out a warrant
for the couple, and every facility Is
being used to bring them back to an
swer to the charge.
Mr. Mason Is prominent man.
known all over Green county, while
Miss Leeks parents are well-to-do
farmers, now living upon their farm
near Bagley.