Kentucky is My Home! Newspaper Articles 65

~ RHETTA HUFF~

Marion Indiana, December 03 1901 - Mrs. John D Ellis, well known throughout the country as Miss Rhetta Huff of Van Buren Township, told a sensational story in court today. Before the trial came up her friends thought she was single. She is the daughter of William Huff, a former trustee of Van Buren Township, one of the best known farmers in the county. The young woman has taught school for several years, and is well and favorabley known.
Miss Huff stated that she went on an excursion to St. Louis, and while there we met by a fine looking gentleman with dark, searching eyes.
According to her story he at once exercised a peculiar influence over her and she did his bidding. He araranged for her to change her hotel. After she had been there a couple of days she told him that she would have to go home. She says that she could not break the spell that seemed cast over her, but at his command remained. Then she says Ellis took her to a room and locked her in.
She did not know any one in the house and saw no one except a woman who was acting under his directions. This woman brought her meals, but refused to liberate her, saying that she could do nothing to help her.
The letters she wrote to her parents he destroyed and received the mail intended for her including money sent to her by her father. One day he came in and told her that she must marry him or she would never be heard from again. She was afraid that he would kill her and she allowd the ceremony to go on. After their marriage he became less strict with her and she managed to escape him.
The came came into court when she petitioned that the marriage be annulled. Her friends sympathize with her and think the marriage will be broken. Her husband is not in the city, and it is said that his whereabouts are unknown.
RHETTA E HUFF daughter of WILLIAM HUFF and MATILDA A BREWER was born April 1878 in Van Buren, Grant County, Indiana. She married JOHN D ELLIS before 1901 in St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri. She married RICHARD MERRICK after 1901 in Grant County, Indiana.