Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-08-26
Astounding Developments-A Curious
Case Of Conspiracy.

case OF conspiracy.
A case Of conspiracy, which, ii true,
exhibits degree of villainous daring on
one side, and the most imbecile weakness
on the other, almost unparalleled. was
brought before the notice OF Justice Bleak
ley, at the Jefferson Market Court House,
on Thursday last, and attracted considera'
BILE attention. On that day, MIR. Ira Top
ping, a gentleman residing in Tnmmany
Hotel, appeared before the Magistrate and
entered complaint for conspiracy against
two persons, one of them q genleel look.
ing female, named Mary Jane Livingston,
alas Starr, and the other an elderly man
named James f. Boyd, one Of the Clerks
of the Supreme Court in this city, under
the following circumstances:
About the latter part of the year lo47,
or the beginning of 1919, the accused fe-
male came to his residence, then at No.
81 Jana street, and enquired for him.
She was Immediately shown into the par
lor whe an intel view took place, in which
she professed to be familiarly acquainted
with every action Of his life, and knowing
him to be the owner of considerable prop
erty, demanded portion of it. threatening
at the same time. if he refused, to 60 into
Court and prefer charges against him that
would ruin his reputa ton for ever and de-
stroy the peace Of his family.
Ii was in vain that the complainant re-
monstrated and entreated his tormentor
not TO pursue such course. She contin'
ued to visi, his place, and even in the pres
ence of his wife, threaten 10 have him
sent to State Prison unless her demands
were acceded to, By these means she &c.
quired such an~infuence over his mind,
that at various times he gave her large
sums Of money, which were coerced out OF
him by fear OF exposure.
Mr.. Boyd, who acted as legal adviser Of
the woman Starr, was also charged with
conspiring with her in accomplishing the
ruin of Mr.. Topping, by getting possession
Of his property. In order to show some OF
the means resorted TO by the accused for
the accomplishment OF their ends, the COM
plant stales that on one occasion they in.
duced him TO 60 to house in South Second
street, Wiliamsburgh, where the woman
procured quantity of arsenic, which she
said she was going to take, and then send
letter already written, to the Chief oi
Police; charging him with poisoning her
so as to have him indicted for murder. Al
fast the unfortunate man felt himself Sc
dreadfully prosecuted, and driven almost
to despair, that he conveyed his house ano
lot No. 81 Jane street, also handsome es.
iabiishment in Fourth street, va'ued alto
gether at $50 900, through one Applebs
to the woman Livingston, alias Starr. a..
After the conspiraiors had succeeded in
getting the complainant to sign over the
property: they called on his wife and rep
resented to her, that her husband had solt
the property to them: by these false repre-
sentations, they obtained her signature anc
thus rendered the deed perfect; Mr.. Top
ping was then turned out of house ane
home, but the successful villains, us if no
satisfied with their ll.gotten goods, mad
him also build house in Sullivan 60 70
the residence Of the parents of Livingston
alias Starr. a-s... H
Justice Bleakley on hearing the com
plnint, issued bis warrant for the arrest o
the accused; who were shortly afisrward
! taken into custody by officers Dane an
Wyman, Of the Second District Polio
Court. Boyd was yesterday held to bal
in the sum OF $4,000, which was procured
and the female prisoner was locked up ii
default of the same amount. The premi
ses so feloniously obtained, were levie
upon by Deputy Sheriff Cunningham, an
Mr.. Topping and family had the pleasure
of beirg reinstated in their old home.
further examination will take place in
few days, when some more particulars i
relation to this tangled web Of mystery wi
be elicited.-N Y. San. -.: