The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-07
ARRESTED IN
~ RICHMOND
fredericksburg Couple SpendNiSht
in Station House There.
CLAIM THEY INTENDED TO MARRY

Arriving in Richmond from Fred
ericksburg last night, on their way to
Washington. they explained, where
they say they were to have been mar
ried today, John J. Hunter, the intend
ed groom, 20 years old, and Miss Lucy
Blackwell, the intended bride, 10 years
old. were arrested, and both were lock-
ed up in the First Police Station, the
first at the request of the Fredericks-
burg authorities, who charge him with
grand larceny, and Miss Blackwell as a
fugitive from justice.
1t may be stated that there is abso-
lutely no charge against the young
woman. Hunter had taken her to an
East Main street lodging house, alleged
TO be of unsavory reputation, and Ser
geant Wiley and Officer Atkinson went
there simply with the purpose Of re-
moving her 10 safer quarters.
Miss Blackwell was born in Caroline
county. She had lately lived with her
sister. Mrs. George Limerick, in Stat
ford county, just opposite from Fred
ericksburg, and last nights experience
in a city was her first. When informed
that she stood in dire danger of losing
all her money and valuables in a cheap
boarding house here, she expressed
thankfulness that the police had taken
such kindly care of her, and, though at
first much alarmed at being placed be
hind bars. she was soon well satisfied
when she knew that she was in perfect
safety.
According to their story, she ard
Hunter have known each other about
five months. She first met him, she
said, in "A store across the river (mean-
ing on the Fredericksburg side), and
with her it was a case of love at first
sight. A week later ne called. The
acquaintance ripened into friendship,
and the next step was easy. They de-
cided TO be married, and Mrs. Limerick
did not object.
Mrs. Limerick cried a little, said
Hunter. but she did not seem to
mind" He was asked why, if Mrs.
Limerick did not mind, they were not
married in Fredericksburg. He replied
that they thought il would be all right
in Richmond, and that the girl didn't
mind.
Then he was asked as to the charge
of grand larceny preferred against him.
They say | stole a bicycle. he said,
but / was full of dry-town whiskey
when | got the wheel, and you may
know what il is to be full of dry-town
whiskey. bought the wheel last night
and / was drunk at the time. As a
matter Of fact. would have bought
railroad train if it had been offered
me.
After the arrest of Hunter, Miss
Blackwell was left behind in the "ho-
tel on East Main street. The officers
began TO consider her case, and thought
it better for her to be in the station
than to be in the "hotel So Detec-
tives Wiley and Atkinson went to the
place to persuade her She had Sl5
with her. a satchel and a little jewelry.
After some argument, she agreed to
turn over her effects TO the officers.
Hunters arrest was attended with
some peculiar circumstances. Before
he arrived a telephone message con-
tanning a description of him came
from the Fredericksburg authorities.
As soon as il was received at the FIRST
Police Station officer Bryant went to
the MAIN SIttA DAdA4pil ~ iliNNANNB Wv
couple. He gave the description Of the
man wanted to Officer Gentry. who was
on duty at the station, and the latter
said: "Why, the man has just gone
from here. lie asked me the way 10
cheap boarding house, and | directed
him. But that's the man you want.
and they went across and arrested
Hunter.
Hunter had but little on him, but the
girl had much money. The officers were
in a auandary as what to do with her.
At length she was invited TO the First
Station to spend the night, and she was
persuaded that the station was the best
place in which she could sleep. She
was alarmed at first, and required wit
nesses TO see her give up her money.
"Will John go back to Fredericksburg
tomorrow" she asked, and when salts
fed that John would go back to Fred
ericksburg she seemed satisfied.
Both say they intended going to Wash
ington to be married. Miss Blackwell
talked with Hunter through his cell, and
when. afterwards, she was locked in a
room upstairs, she still declared she
loved him. AS Hunter says that he
would have bought railroad train at
the time he purchased the wheel with
out paying for it, he expects to be ac-
quilted. - Richmond Times-Dispatch,
SATURDAY.