Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-11-16
"A pIsrnEaslsa occuaaEscr-Pnop.

"A DIsrREss1Se OccuRREscE-PRoB-
ABLE MuRDER.-We were informed Eass
evening by Mr.. Henry Fosdick. Jr.. Of
Dayton, of the following particulars Of
sdistressing occurrence which took p,scs
a few miles from Osborne, on the rail
road between Dayton and Springfield,
on Thursday evening last. It appears
that about three years since farmer
named VIM. Ricketts, left his family to
seek his fortune in the gold mines Of
California. About seven months since
Mrs. r. received information from q per
son representing himself as coming di.
rect from San Francisco that her hus-
band had died of chronic diarrhes.-
rhe wife believed the story and mani
tested much distress Of mind upon the
receipt Of the intelligence. Her inform.
ant, whose name is VIM. T. GAYLORD,
manifested much sympathy for Mrs. r.
in her bereavement, and frequently
visited her house to condole with her in
her affiiction. The unsuspecting wife.
apprecisting the kindness of Gaylord.
rendered him the hospitalities Of her
house and home. Gaylord, with an sp-
parent Indifference, declined the offer,
but finally proposed to accept the same
on conditions of marriage. The aston
ished Mrs. R. at first declined, but af.
terward agreed to let the matter stand
open until Gaylord should call again
In the interim, Gaylord abstracted from
the postofice all letters directed to Mrs.
Ricketts,; and one from her husband he
opened, perused and then Destroyed
The letter stated that he did not intend
to return home for three years, but was
very anxious to see his wife. Gaylord
again called upon Mrs. Ricketts,, and
insisted upon an answer to his PROPOSE.
ton. Mrs. R., after few moments re-
flestion, consented TO the union, and the
time for their marriage was set The
day came, they were married, and by
their marriage Mr.. Gaylord came into
possession Of farm valued at several
thousand dollars. Soon after their
marriage, Mr.. Gaylord proposed to his
wife to sell out and move to Kansas, and
there locate for life.
The wife consented, and the farm was
advertised for ssie at a sacrifice. The
advertisement appeared in the Dayton
and Cincinnati papers, and much was
said in regard to the sale of the Ricketts,
estate The advertisement, as it ap-
pears was seen by Mr.. Ricketts, in San
Francisco. Enraged and chagrined,
Mr. R. took the first steamer and ar
rived in Osborne on Wednesday even
ing last. Mr.. R. made diligent inquiries,
and learned the facts above stated
Arming himself with knife and q
brace Of pistols, he went to his house
about 10 o'clock at night AL was
quiet. Ricketts, raped at the door sew
eral times. It was finally opened by
Mrs. Gaylord, and Ricketts, entered
Mrs. G. threw on her dress, and, light
ing the candle, turned to look upon the
stranger who had come at such an un-
seasonable hour Of the night. A shrek,
and the expression of Great Godl Rick.
etts; is that youp followed, and the as
tonished, affrighted wife, fell insensibls
to the floor Gaylord, who was in bed
in an adjoining room, rushed out to see
what had happened. RICKETTS, imme-
diately siezed him by the throat and
plunged the knife into bis side, and then
went to where his unfortunate wife was
wing, cut her on the shoulder and neck,
then left the premises, and has not since
been heard from. The wife, recover
ing, informed the neighbors Of what
had transpired, and immediate search
was made for Ricketts,. Gaylord was
lying very low when Mr.. Fosdick last
heard from him. and the probability is
that he must die. Ricketts, has un'
doubtedly made successful escape.
Gin. Enquirer