The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-11-16
a Villarous fraud.

4 Villarous Fraud.
The CT ncinuati Enquirer narratcs the
following distressing affair that occurred
on Thursday evening last, near 0.bovne,
Ohio:
It appears that about three years since
farmer named WILLIAM RIlKETTs left
bis family TO seek bis fortune in the gold
mines ofCaliforuia. About seven months
aiuce Mrs. Il. received information from
a person reprcsc ptiug himself as coming
direct from San Francisco that her hus-
baud had died The wife believed the
story and manifested mach distress Of
mind upon the receipt Of the intelligence,
Her informant, whose name is IF2IlGn5
T. Gaylord, manifested much sympathy
for Mrs. R. in her bereavement, ana fre-
qucntly visited .he house to condolc TitL
her in her aflietion The unsusrecting
wife, approaching the kindness OF Gay
lord, rendered bin the hospitalities of her
house and home. Gaylord, with an ap-
parent Indifference, declined the offer, bat
tnanly proposed to accept the same on
condition OF marriage. The astouished
Mrs. R. at FIRST declined, but afterwards
agreed to let the matter stand open until
Gaylord should call again. In the inter
i'm Gaylord abstracted from the post Of
fee all letters directed to Mrs. Rickett~;
and one from her husband he opened,
persued, and then destroyed. The letter
stated that be cid not intend to return
home FOR three years, but was very anx-
ious to see his wife. Gaylord again cal
Jed on Mrs. Ricketts, and insisted upon al
answer to his proposition. Mrs. r., after
few moments reflection, consented to
tbe union, and the time for their marriage
was set. The day came, they were mar
ricd, and BY their marriage Mr.. Gaylord
came into possession of farm valued al
several thousand dollars.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Gaylord
proposed 10 his wife to sell out and move
10 Kansas, and there locate for lie. The
wife consented, and the farm was adTcr-
iised for sale at q sacrifice. The adyer-
ment was seen by Mr.. Ricketts, in San
Francisco. Enraged and chagrined, Mr..
R. took the first steamer and arrived iu
Osborne ou Wednesday evening last
Nr. R. made diiigept inquiries, ana learn
cd the facts as above stated. Aiming
himself with knife and a brace Of pis-
tolls, be went to his house about &c o.
clock at night All was quiet. Ricketts,
raped at the door several times. 1t was
finally opened by Mrs. Gaylord, and
Ricketts, entered Mrs G. threw on her
dress, and, lighting the candle, turned to
look upon the stranger who had come at
sueb an unreasonable hour of the night.
q sbrick, and the expression of Great
Godi Ricketts is that your followed,
and tho astonisbed, afrighted d wife fell
insensible to the floor. Gaylord, who was
in an adjoining room, rushed out to sec
what had happened. Ricketts, immcdi-
ately seized him by the throat and plum
ged the knife into bis side, and then went
70 where bis unfortunate wife was lying,
cut her on the shoulder and neck, and
left the premises. Tie wife recovering,
Informed tie neighbors of what had trans
pred, and immediate search was made
for Ricketts,. He has undoubtedly made
q successful escape. Gaylord was lying
very low when last heard from, and the
probability is that he must die.