Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY-SWINDLING BY A

WOMAN.'

In connection ivith the well-known Chancery case
respecting the Gordon property, a most romantic case has
just come to light.' About fifteen months ago, an in-
dustrious well-to-do broker, residing in Lincoln, had
the misfortune to lose his wife, leaving him a widower,
with five children, whose ages varied from 8 to 20 years.
About a month after the _death. of his wife, Mr. ,Taylor,
the broker, was 'visited by a lady, who chose goods to the
amount of about £l5, which she directed should be sent
to a housi in Lincoln, which she had lately taken. A few
days after, the lady paid another visit to the shop, and
ordered articles which necessitated a visit to the houie
of his customer by the broker. The intercourse be-
tween them increased, and the lady, who said her name
was Cooper, informed Mr. Taylor that she was a widow,
with two children, and an annuity of £4O per annum, and
that she had lately received a communication from the
Court of Chancery, informing her that she was heiress
to an immense property in Scotland, and that a few
preliminaries were necessary, which would cost a. few
hundred pounds, before she could take possession of her
property. The trap was so well laid that the victilitl T 1
into it at once, offered-her his hand and heart, telling her
he had about one thousand pounds, which was at her dis-
posal. Notwithstanding the cautions of intimate friends,
they were married. A loan was raised upon some free-
hold property, and with the money she- said she com-
menced proceedings. Anxious to get her husband a*ay
leavetr eLincoln,
to hi.'
The 31°
news of Taylor's good
from the' arveillancc of his relatives and 'friends, Taylor
selling it great loss all
s
ston, where he took a
hishw oa gie
tc:::e and
till go
removedh
fortune was soon known in Boston, and every one was
congratulating the fortunate husband of the millionaire.
A large steam flour-mill and Other property, belonging
to the executors of a
_gentleman lately deceased, was
offered for sale by public auction, and purchased at a
,cogt. of £4,000, and so universally believed was the tale
'Of the Chancery suit, that not a farthing was asked as
- &posit.
Several months elapsed, and several hundred pounds
were expended in what Mrs. Taykr called preliminary
law• proceedings, and the husband at length- began
impatient. •
to be Mrs. Taylor then.went up to London
and returned with a document purporting to be
certificate from the Lord Chancellor that she was
heiress to "the Gordon Property." To {his docts-
merit a large seal was affixed, which she declared
to. be .no less 'than the Chancellor's sea 'This won-
derful document was-slicwn, and the tidings of it spread
like wildfire. Matters passed on, and the lady , conti-
nued to draw money -with reckless profasion from her
easy husband, assigning :most ettraordinary reasons for
the outlay. On one occasion 'she pretended that she had
received a letter from her' bailiff in Scotland; announc-
ing that certain repairs were required at one of the farms,
whielyiould Cost t7O. Various other expenses kept
corning in, and "-stamps to docurrentS'' appeared-to be
an interminable item. During all 'this time Mr. Taylor
was quite unsuspicious that he was being imposed upon.
He went 'round Boston describing, in glowing terms,
theNauty of his estate, and invited friends 'to Spend
next autumn' in'f.shing and grouse shooting.
At length the bubble burst. All the hard earnings ,
of Taylor being spent, he angrily demanded of his
wife that he -should see the solicitors and receive
some ;portion cf the fortune. On Monday week the
pair -started -fer London, and Taylor discovered that
he 'had been imposed upon. Many -parties are
victimised,. and one who lent money upon " plate"
found on opening the chest a hot of stones and rags.
The Lord •ChancellOr's document had the impression
of :n half-crown attached, and is, of course a gross
forgery. The superintendent of police at coarse,
has.'
had a warrant for the apprehension of Mrs. Taylor put
into his hands on a charge of swindling, and on Wed-
nesday-she was found in London, having" just gi4n
birth to a-son and heir. She has since been removed to
Boston, and will, in all-prObability, be brought before
the magistrates next week. Taylor has returned to
liincoln.to make his fortune afresh.