John Wesley Mann
John Wesley Mann, a former resident of Mansfield, left for Los Angeles, Cal., a few days ago, and with him his three children and a Mrs. Mollie Luper of the above city in the golden state. Mann left his wife behind. In fact he cruelly deserted her. He gave no reason, nor can any be imagined. Mann has had a checkered career, and the story as told by Mrs. Luper, who raised him until the age of twelve, reads like a novel. John Wesley Mann was born near this city and was thrown upon the world at an early age by the death of his father. A guardian was appointed, and the lad was thrown from pillar to post, until he was about six years of age. At this time he was "bound out" to a farmer near Danville, Ill. He was shamefully treated, almost starved, and illy clothed. His miserable existence was noticed by a neighboring family named Luper, who finally adopted him as a son. He grew up to be a good, hard-working boy. The brightest spots in his life at this time were the letters he received from a sister living near Mansfield, and telling him how much she would like to see her baby brother. On one Sunday when John was about eleven years of age, he was left in charge of the house, while the family attended church some few miles distant. In the house, in an old-fashioned trunk, Mr. Luper had $800 in bank bills. The key to the trunk was kept hid under a flat stone in the yard. To keep his eye on the trunk was the last charge that was given young Mann. The family attended service and at about 4 o'clock they returned. On looking about the premises nothing was seen of the boy. A search was instituted, but without finding him. Finally Mr. Luper thought of his money, and the thought flashed through his mind that perhaps the young fellow had stolen the $800 and ran away. The key was found, and on opening the trunk the money was found untouched. Time sped by and nothing was hears of the runaway. Young Mann turned up in Mansfield a few weeks after leaving his western home, and went to work. He was successful and at the age of twenty-one he married. After five years of married life his wife died, leaving three children to the care of the father. A few years after the death of his wife he married a Miss Frank, who lived in Johns' addition. Shortly after he moved to Sandusky city. Now comes the strangest part of the story. After twenty years Mrs. Luper who had left Danville for California, turned up at Sandusky to see her boy by adoption. She visited him for several weeks, and finally prevailed upon him and wife to accompany her to California. Mr. L. Mann and his wife and their children came here last week to purchase tickets. The party remained a few days, and during that time Mrs. Mann left for near Lucas to visit relatives. She returned here Monday, ready to start with the rest of their future home. She came up street, and went into Mason's drug store to rest. Here she was told that a package had been left for her. She untied it and found that it contained a pair of spectacles, which she had loaned to Mrs. Luper. On going to the boarding house where the trunks had been left, and on opening them she found that everything had been taken there from but her own effects. She inquired and found that her husband, Mrs. Luper and the three children, had left over the P.F. Wednesday week. Wednesday Mrs. Mann received a letter from her husband telling her not to think of him more, and that he hoped she would get along all right in the future. Mrs. Mann, who is an invalid is crazed with grief over the cruel desertion. She left for Sandusky Tuesday. Mrs. Mann says she will obtain money and follow her husband. The affair is a peculiar one. Why Mann deserted his wife under the circumstances, and what influence Mrs. Luper, who is many years his senior, used to make him leave her, is a mystery.
From the Mansfield Herald, December 2, 1886