Charles W. Darst, continued

DARST SKIPS OUT

The Landlord of a Prospect

Hotel Elopes

WITH A VERY PRETTY WAITRESS

Sends His Wife and Daughter Away. Then

Leaves with Miss Adda Evans -- They

Came to Marion and Took a Train For

the East -- Elopement Planned Some

Time Ago.

Prospect citizens are excited over an elopement of more than ordinary sensational character. C. W. Darst, formerly proprietor of the Watkins House, Prospect's leading hotel, and a pretty waitress in his employ are the chief actors. Friday Mr. Darst sent his wife and fourteen-year-old daughter to Radnor to visit relatives and was to go after them Saturday afternoon. Friday evening Darst and Miss Adda Evans met in a remote part of the town and came to this city. Darst had hired a horse and buggy of Mr. Dildine, a liveryman of that place, and the couple drove here, and it is supposed that they took an Erie train for the East Friday night.

The rig was placed in the barn of H. S. Long, where it was cared for until Sunday, when Mayor Gast and the proprietor of the Prospect barn came to this city and took the rig back to Prospect. They investigated matters here and are of the opinion that the eloping couple went East on an Erie train.

C. W. Darst is past forty years of age and it is thought had about $1000 in his possession. Miss Evans is not more than 18 years of age and is very beautiful. She is an orphan and for some time has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Darst, bearing an excellant reputation.

They planned the elopement some time ago. When Mrs. Darst evinced a wish to visit her parents at Radnor the husband readily complied with the request. When he did not come after her Saturday she telephoned to Prospect to find out why he did not keep his promise and then the story of the elopement, which had been previously rumored, was made certain.

Mrs. Darst, a very catimable lady, and her daughter are both prostrated with grief. Mrs. Darst fainted when she heard the truth. There had been no breath of suspicion against the young lady previous to her sensational escapade of Friday night.

Mr. Long says that the couple arrived at his barn Friday night, put up the horse and buggy and left, saying that they would return for it. Mayor Gast was in the city today, trying to find some clue that will lead to the whereabouts of the missing couple.

Monday 21 FEB 1898 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio