The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-06-03
MORE CONCERNING THE
ARREST OF EL0PERS.
Grafton Paper Gives Additional In
formation About Parties Arrested
Here,

is taken concerning Helen Zaruba, of
Clarksburg, who was married here last
Wednesday morning to Julius Pletenik,
the arrest of both parties occurring
soon afterward. Thursday morning the
mother of the bride came to Oakland
and had her daughter released, accom-
panying her home the sa" morning as
stated in this paper of that day:
Chief of Police Clarence Brooks. of
Ciarksburg, arrived in the city on train
No. 3 this morning, accompanied by
Mrs. Chas. Zaruba and her daughter,
Helen, aged about sixteen years, who
figured in one of the most sensational
elopements that our sister city has
known in a decade. Indeed, the fact
now becomes apparent that the case
may contain far graver details than
those Of mere sensational elopement,
and that the unfortunate young girl
was coerced into a marriage at once
distasteful and against her better judg-
ment may be plainly seen.
Chef Brooks, IN conversation with a
Daily Republican reporter at the noon
hour today, stated that the young girl.
Helen Zaruba, daughter of Banker and
Merchant Zaruba, of Clarksburg. had
eloped with Julius Pletenik, formerly
employed by Zaruba. She had left her
home in the middle of the night, by
means of ladder, joining Pletenik, and
the two had gone to Oakland, Nd. Con-
siderable time had elapsed following the
elopement and the discovery of the
same, but as soon as the parents found
out what had occurred they wired the
police of number of cities. to appre-
bend the clippers and hold them for in
structions.
1t appears, however, that the girl and
Pletenik had reached Oakland, obtained
a license and were married before or
ders for their arrest were received.
Following their arrest at Oakland they
were held until Chief of Police Brooks
and Mrs. Zaruba could arrive there on
No. II last evening. Helen, the bride,
seemed greatly relieved when her moth
er and police arrived and took her in
custody, and she gladly accompanied
her mother back home, and shortly after
the arrival of the mother and policeman
the young girl unfolded tale which, if
true, will cause still greater sensations
and that ought to put the groom in the
penitentiary for the rest of his natural
life, and some others with him.
1t seems that Pletenik, the man Helen
married, together with Albert Kloske.
were formerly employed by Mr. Zaruba
in store. The two are charged with
having cOntscated much of the mer-
chants property, and some time ago
were arrested in Pennsylvania a d
brought back to Clarksburg and were
in jail awaiting trial, when Pletenik was
released on bond. Helen now claims
that she was told, and led to believe,
that unless she married Pletenik both
her father and her mother would be
killed and their property burned, and
that worked on her mind to such an ex-
tent that she finally agreed to marry
Pletenik. She now says that she never
wants to look upon his face again"
Helen also makes some serious charges
against woman residing in Clarksburg
with whom she was on friendly terms,
stating among other things that the
woman had taken from her a large
amount of personal property. The list
of property given Chief Brooks included
the following: Two diamond rings, one
solitaire ring, one signet ring, one gold
watch with diamond setting, two pair
earrings, one ruby ring with diamond
cluster, and $25 dollars in gold. Chief
of Police Brooks is of the opinion that
the threats of marriage were made in
hope that the same would really be
brought about and that such an alliance
would have the effect of stopping the
proceedings against Pletenik by Mr..
Zaruba on the robbery charge. Chief
Brooks who by the way is an old Graf
ton boy and one of the finest looking
that ever went from this town to an
other), expects some very sensational
d evelopment in this case at an early
date.