Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-20
A MYSTERY.

| The New Orleans Delta, some time ago, published q
letter. dated Washington, Texas 2sh Dec Is49 post
marked at the post-ofce there, and signed OrOn0ka
in which the unknown writer declared that he was and
Dr. Webster was not, the murderer OF DR.. Parkman Of
Boston, The publication of this letter excited grea,
curiosity in New England A few weeks since, the
Delta put forth statement which added new interest te
the mysterious letter of "Oronoka" The editors sale
they had conversed with gentleman direct from
Washington, Texas, who took some pains to ascertain
who was the writer ofthe letter signed "Oronoka ant
added:
"The letter signed 'Oronoka' is dated Washington
18th OF December, l949 Our informant has ascertain
ed, beyond all doubt, that unknown and sspiciou
looking individual arrived in Washington about tina
time, who came from Boston, via Galveston and Hous
ton He remained at Washington but a few davs AZ
ter remaining here few days, he departed for Austin
i0here he entered his the register of the Or.
| leans House as 'John Weeks, Boston, The appear
ance OF the stranger was calculated excite suspicion
He was reserved and nervous. He did not remain Ions
in Austin He also cut out OF the registry the entry 81
his name, which was compared with the handwriting
the letter of 'Oronoka and contains points of resem
blance to that OF 'Oronoka which are very palpable
| and striking"
| The Springfield (Mass} Republican of Friday last
publishes this statement from the Deta and then goes
to make the following singular DEVELOPMENTS which
certainly go great way to disclose who the "myste-
rious stranger is:
We have some curious revelations to make touching
the subject treated OF in the above paragraph that are
derived from an authentic source, and which TO us an
pear to throw light on this whole matter
On the 9Th OF November, l849, one BENJAMIN F. Can
non, resident OF Wendell, Franklin county, Mass.
disappeared just after receiving one of the banks in
Greenfield, five hundred dollars, borrowed on his own
note and those OF substantial sureties Three or four
weeks after this, he was seen, and talked with by
neighbour in New DIRK city; but further inquiry in
that city, he could not be found again.
In np,
his creditors, alleging that he had absconded in purs
of which, the first OF February he was declared
nsolvent. Soon after that time his daughter Mrs Al
lem residing IN one OF the towns in Worcester county,
received letters purporng to be from passengers and
officers on board steamer plying somewhere in Texas
stating that man, calling himself John Weeks died Of
CHOLERA on board the boat on the I'd of February 1850
This was the steamer Galveston and the occurrence
took place on her passage from Galveston Texas to
New Orleans Before dying he stated that he belonged
IN Greenfield, Hampshire county, Mass The accounts
that ne died alter few hours Illness and
that the body was thrown overheard the same dav.
alter the performance OF funeral services Also that he
spoke OF Mrs Allen as his daughter, and directed that
ms money and trunk should be to her, giving
them her address, and that his effects had been entrus
ed to mi and Mrs. Vance of Vermont. who were
on board the boat, and then their way home 10 YER
mont. "
Some two or three weeks since, Mr.. and Mrs vorca
actually arrived, bringing with them one hnndrad and
thirty-s dollars in money, said to have been taEa
from the dead mans belt and trunk in which were
pocket DOCK ana SHIRT winch Mr.. Cannon's family re-
cognzed as belonging to Mr.. Cannon. ''' -
In the meantime, the proceedings in insolvancv bad
gone on, and an assignee had been appointed N
Tuesday last, at Greenfield, Mrs Cannon applied for
administration the estate OF her husband alleging his
DEATH and her application was opposed by the Creditors
who had proved their claims in Insolvency and whose
interests light be affected by the establishment of the
TACT of death Mr.. and Mrs. Vance were present, and
testified to the facts we have above stated, in part They
also testified that the person whom they had known as
John Weeks bore striking personal resemblance to
daguenotype likeness which had been taken of Mr..