The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-08
MANIAC MAnRIES
ON Wild AUTO TOUR
Private Frank, Who Posed as Captain,
Runs up BIN In Merry Fashion.
Has Knot Tied at 8 AM.

Gaping from the guards at ST Eliza
oeth's, riding about the city and coun-
try In hired touring cars, assuming
the character OF a United States Army
captain. marrying a pretty eighteen
year-old girl at the Rockville Gretna
Green at O'Clock IN the morning, or
dering a wedding breakfast al the
New willard Hotel. occupying a pri-
waite box at American League Park.
and running afoul OF the Central Of
fice detectivee-this was the exciting
career of Edwin Frank. formerly a
private OF the United States ARMY
and now returned to his cell at the
Government Hospital for the Insane.
Sadly disillusioned. the bride of less
than day. whose maiden name was
virginia Strouse. is at her home. 233
First Street Northeast.
Frank, who told the police his home
IL at 213 West 1920 Street, New York
city, enlisted in the Seventeenth In
fantry in November. 1909. He was
soon transferred to Fort Mcpherson.
Ga, where he served until examina-
ton by the army physicians showed
mental arrangement He was ordere 4
TO the Government Hospital for the
Insane in Washington. After being a
patient for about six months at ST
Elizabeth's. he was again examil1 ed
and report sent to his captain that
he was cured Pending notification
as to whether he should be returned
10 the fort or sent home, he was re-
leased from the strict surveillance of
the guards and allowed to go about
the grounds.
Escapes From Hospital.
Tuesday morning he left his ward
about 9 o'clock, telling the Waterman
that he had been ordered to go TO
the main office. Watching his chance
he slipped out the gate and was in the
city before his absence was discovered.
Frank went to an automobile garage
engaged a car, and away he went.
His first order was to be carried TO
the New Willard. From there he
called up Miss Strouse. and after in
forming her that he was Captain"
Frank, of the Seventeenth United
States Infantry, lust arrived in the
city upon official business at the War
Department" invited her for a ride
sented, and in the new touring car
which Captain Frank had only a few
hours before purchased" the couple
began merry joy ride.
Soon firing of paved streets, the or
der was given to break out into the
country. and the chauffeur started for
Chevy Chase. A few hours were spent
there, Captain" Frank showing Miss
Strouse where he played golf with
army officers and pointing out the sta
BILE where me and other army Off
GERS kept our hunting horses" The
day was but half spent, however, and
the car turned farther on into the
Baltimore was but few hours
away. and the car made a fast run
TO the Monumental City. arriving there
just in time for a midafternoon lunch
con at the Hotel Belvidere. Tickets
were bought for matinee at the
theater, with an evening dinner. be-
fore the start was made for Wash
ingtOn.
Proposes I'm Auto.
On the way back, Captain" Frank
pronosed marriage. and the girl ac-
ctpted; but where the ceremony was
10 ne performed was another QueS-
ton. The license clerks office in
Washington was closed when they
reached this city, and all efforts TO
find him were unavailing. Then they
started for Rockville, the Gretna
Green OF all true lovers.
Three o'clock in the morning is
not considered the proper time to find
marrying officials awake and on the
job, but thanks to their kindness of
heart, they were willing TO be awaken
ed and issue the proper documents
The clerk of the court issued a IL
cense, and RockVille's marrying par
son" Obligingly tied the knot. A few
brief hours were spent at the hotel
and then upon the sudden realization
that only Washington could furnish
the right sort of a wedding break
fast, the couple started homeward.
At the New Willard the chef was
ordered TO spare no pains to prepare
such repast as all brides should en-
JOY, and Captain" Frank and his
bride were dined in a private room
The breakfast over, the captain" re-
membered that he had an important
conference with the War Department
officials, and reluctantly he took his
bride to her home. After cautioning
. mis- bride to he ready for him when
he called in the afternoon to so TO
the ball game. he left to keep his APP
pointment.
Returning to the Congressional
l. l..
touring car, Frank proceeded to write
out check on New York bank for
SIS in payment Just before leaving
he turned to the chauffeur and pass
ed him check for SIS as tip.
Coming downtown, Frank dropped
in at Harvey's restaurant, passed off
another check and engaged another
car for the afternoon. Frank and his
bride were soon on their way to the
ball game.
Unfortunately for Frank, the ON.
Gals at the Government Hospital were
on his trail, and notified police head
quarters to look for him. Detectives
Pratt and Hewlett were detailed upon
the case, and within a few hours they
had the captains NOV ements covered
S far as Harvey's.
Information from the chauffeur of
another car there gave them the tip
that Frank and his bride were at the
ball game. Fifteen minutes later the
detectives stepped into their private
box. Frank was requested to accom-
pany them to headquarters.
At the District building Frank was
identified by the garage nronrietor
as the man who had engaged the car
and passed the worth ass cnecr =
Frank was sent to the First Precinct
Station and later taken back 10 ST.
EliZabeth's.
Mrs. Frank would make no state
ment last night concerning the affair,
but 1t is said that application viii be
made for divorce on grounds of in
sanity.