Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1901 — KIDNAP THEIR WIVES. [ARTICLE]

KIDNAP THEIR WIVES.

Time has wrought but few changes in the manners and customs of the people of the Caucasus, and modern ways are making but slow progress. One of the relics of the good old times to which the Caucasians especially cling is the custom of kidnaping the women whom they desire to make their wives. Recently a case of this kind resulted in a tragic end. A prominent inhabitant of the little Caucasian town of Katuhagan, named Ismail Ogll Okj tried to kidnap the sister of his best friend’s wife while his friend was absent from home. The girl resisted his attempt to carry her off, aided by her married sister. The baflled lover drew his sword and inflicted dangerous wounds on both the ladies. At this moment his friend returned and, enraged at finding what had occurred, killed Ismail on the spot. Then he cut off Ismail’s head and carried it round to show the neighbors what a fearful revenge he had taken. In the same district a young nobleman desired to marry the daughter of a neighboring land owner, and invited the girl with her parents to a grand ball given at his castle. During tho evening he found an opportunity of decoying the girl into a secluded part of the, house, where she was seized by his men and placed in a carriage. The prince joined her and in spite of the girl’s entreaties started out to drive to a place where they could be married without much delay. The girl’s father, on finding that his host had disappeared with his daughter, gave

chase and, being on horseback, overtook the carriage. He shot the nobleman without ado and took his daughter home. The nobleman, however, had won her heart during the drive and the girl was now reluctant to marry the man of whom her father approved, but the stern parent insisted on the wedding taking place at once. The bride appeared in the church pale, but cool and collected. During the ceremony she drew a dagger and stabbed the bridegroom to the heart. Afterward she committed suicide.—Chicago Chronicle.