Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-11-16
A Distressing occurrence-Prsbasly Murder.

We were informed last evening by Henry
Fosdick, jr., of Dayton, of the following par
ticulars Of a distressing occurrence which
took place few miles from Osborne, on the
Railroad between Dayton and Springfield, on
Thursday evening last. 1t appears that
about three years since a farmer named VIM.
Ricketts, lef. his family to seek his fortune
in the gold mines Of California. About sew
en- months since, Mrs. X. received informa-
ton from a person representing himself as
coming direct from San Francisco that her
husband had died Of chronic diarrhoea. The
wife believed the story, and manifested
great distress Of mind upon the receipt of the
intelligence. Her informant, whose name IS
VIM. I. Gaylord, manifested much sympa-
thy for Mrs. K. in her bereavement, and fire.
quently visited her house to con'ole with her
in her affiiction. The unsuspccting wife. APP
preciating the kindness of Gaylord, rendered
him the Inequalities of her be use and home.
Gaylord, with an apparent Indifference, de-
clined the offer, but finally proposed to ac-
ccpt the same on condition of marriage. The
astoni4hcd Mrs r. at first declined, but after
wards agrccd to let the matter stand open
until Gaylord should call again. In the in
term. GAYLORD distracted from the post Of
fee all letters directed to Mrs. Ricketts,; and
one from her husband he opened, perused
and then destroyed. The letter stated that
lie did rot 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 proposition.
Mrs. r., after a few moments reflection, con-
seated to the union, and the time for their
marriage was set. The day came, they were
married, aud by their marriage Mr.. Gaylord
came into possession of farm valued at
several thousand collars Soon after their
marriage Mr.. Gaylord proposed to his wife
to sell out and move to Kansas, and there To-
cate for life.
The wife consented, and the farm was ad-
vertised for sale at a sacrifice. The adver-
tisemcnt appeared in the Dayton and Cincn-
natl papers, and much was said in regard to
the ssRiclSetts cstatc.'' The advertisement,
as it appeared in one of our Dollar Weeklies,
was seen BY Mr.. Ricketts, in San Francisco.
nraged and cbagrincd, Mr.. r. took the first
steamer and arrived in Osborne on Wednes-
dav evening last. Mr.. r. made dilligent i'm
| quirios, and learned he facts as above stated.
Aiming himself with knife and brace of
pistols, he wen to his house about ten O'Clock
at night. All was quiet.
/ Ricketts, raped at the door several times.
1t was finally opened by Mrs. Gaylord, and
Ricketts, cnt red. Mrs. q. threw on her
dress, and, lighting the candle, turned to
look upon the stranger to see who had come
at such an unreasonable hour of the night
A shrek, and the expression Of s'Great God!
Ricketts,, i, that you?" followed, and the as.
Aton;shed. alfrigh'cd wife, fell insenslble to
the floor. Gaylord, who was in bed in an ad-
joining room, rushed out to see what had
h-ppenel. Ricketts, Immediately seized him
by the throat and plunged the knife into his
side, ard then went to where his unfortunate
wife was lying, cut her on the shoulder and
neck, then left the premises, and has not
since been heard from. The wife recovering,
informed the acighbors of what had transpi-
red, 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
undoubtedly made successful escape.
ICiU Encuiror