A Touch of Romance in 1935.
A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL RUNS AWAY WITH A VAGABOND.
But her parents set the police on their trail — which for now leads to Sogn.
About three weeks ago, a wandering family with their boat was in Stavanger. On board the skiff was also the 20-year-old son of the family, a lively young man with a sixpence cap who made a strong impression on the beautiful young girl he met on the streets of Stavanger — a 16-year-old girl who couldn’t resist him.
There was something in the air; the girl wanted an adventure. She decided to run away with the boy. And she did run away with him, boarding the motorboat and joining him.
Her parents, however, were not at all pleased with what had happened. They reported the girl’s disappearance to the Stavanger police, who immediately began investigating.
And then the trouble started. The police launched an inquiry to find the girl. Notices were sent to other police stations, port authorities, and sheriffs. The boy has been reported for a highly unpleasant paragraph in the penal code, namely paragraph 217. Under this paragraph, anyone who causes or contributes to an underage person under 18 being unlawfully taken away or kept away from their parents or other guardians, or from those responsible for them, can be punished with imprisonment for up to 3 years. Under certain circumstances, this can be applied.
The wanted notice that has been issued reads as follows:
«Stavanger Police are searching for a wandering family traveling along the coast in a motorboat. The only details about the motorboat are that it has a green cabin at the front and also carries a tar-painted dinghy on deck.
The man, Johannes Pettersen, has his entire family with him. His son, Fredrik Johannesen, has been reported for violating paragraph 217 of the penal code by taking a 16-year-old girl, Ruth Forli, without the consent of her parents and against their will.
Fredrik Johannesen is 20 years old, tall, with dark eyes, a long pointed nose, a small chin, likely wearing a blue suit, a gray sixpence cap, and black shoes.
Ruth Forli is 16 years old, of medium height, somewhat plump, with red hair, a straight nose, a freckled chin, a broad face, freckled wrists, likely wearing a gray coat and skirt.
In case Fredrik Johannesen and Ruth Forli are apprehended, Stavanger Police should be notified by telephone or telegraph.» |
1918 - 1959 (40 years)
