From The Winchester Star dated Monday 27 July 2009 'Out of the past' section.
WHITACRE--Miss Nenah Whitacre, daughter of Mr. T.A. Whitacre, eloped with Mr. Maynard Baker on Sunday evening about 7 oclock. Mr. Baker works in Pittsburgh and is a carpenter by trade. He came in the neighborhood Saturday evening, presumably driving a team, from Berkeley Springs and stopped with a relative, Mr. J.W. Mauzy.
He secreted his horse and buggy in a deep grown-up hollow near the house and patiently awaited developments all alone, Mr. Mauzy and family having attended an all-day meeting at Ebenezer.
It is evident that she was apprized by friends of her lovers whereabouts and tarried behind the family upon departing for home.
Mr. Clinton Johnson brought her home, but thought they would drive past and spend a few social hours with her uncle, Mr. G.S. Whitacre, and then go home.
She was deeply immersed in the enjoyment of several young people on the lawn, when suddenly she was seized with thirst and excusing herself went to the well back of the house to get a drink. The sight of the well seemed to allay her former appetite, and like a bird she flew to her lover about one-half mile distant.
The young man had the horse and buggy in readiness and no time was lost in getting away.
By 10 oclock that night they were in Berkeley Springs, where they changed horses and proceeded on to Hancock, where they took the train at 12 oclock. Here the trail was lost and the girls father was cut short in his pursuit and returned home, arriving about noon on Monday.
July 27, 1909
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