By the common law abduction is the taking away of a man's wife, or child or children, or ward of a guardian, by fraud or persuasion, or open violence.109

Another definition is the unlawful taking or detention by persuasion, force or fraud, of a wife, child or ward, from the possession, custody, or control of, the person legally entitled to have the custody of the wife or child so taken.110

The statutes of the several states denning this offense differ materially from the common law definition, and from one another. For instance, the statute of Illinois is in substance as follows: Abduction is the enticing or taking away any unmarried female of chaste life and conversation, from the parent's house or wherever she may be found for the purpose of prostitution or concubinage.111

106 Tracy vs. People, 97 111., 107;

Nordgren vs. People, 211 111., 425, 436. 107 Nordgren vs. People, 211 111., 425, 430; Skill vs. State, 88

Ala., 14; Dunn vs. People, 172

Ill 591.

108 Dunn vs. People, 172 I11., 592;

State vs. Elliot, 45 Iowa, 486.

109 3 Blackstone Com., 137, 140. 110 Cent. Dic, Andersons Law Dict., Websters Dic.

The statute relating to children is: The taking or decoying away any child under the age of twelve years with intent to detain or conceal such child from its parents, guardian or other person having the lawful charge of such child is abduction.112