The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-10
Curious Cnsc-An Attempt to Extort Money
from q Widow Lady.

From the Watervilc Oneida county, Journal Aug Al
during the past week. in consequence OF the development
Of the particulars Of base attempt to extort money
Mrs Emily Ferguson, respectable and quite wealthy
widow lady residing two miles west of this village. Mrs.
Ferguson lost her husband after protracted illness,
about months ago. since which her presence has
been almO constantly required ut home to minister
the wants OF an invalid and entirely helpless daughter
While her mind weighed down by the grief caused
by these severe Affections, and oppressed by
cares fend or fends in human form, attempted 10
extort from her money to considerable amount, by
she refused to comply with their demands. 1t sp-
pears that the 18th day Of last July Mrs. r. received
from the Post Office in this village letter mailed Hub
bards Corners, in Madison county, copy d which fol-
lows
JrLy It'll, 1856.
DEAR MADAM write few lines concerning little
deal with your husband. wrote him year ago II he
would send check of So 0O0 would square Of With
him, if not he should die slow death by poison You
see how well kept my word Now have took your girl,
and she shall go too and the rest Of the family You with
the rest revenge you where direct 81 900
immediately. You will find not to be trfed with
you have not already Send me the money and you
safe not you shall suffer worse death than your hus-
band remember what ssy - rohinx TO any one. or
will murder you in cold blood but send the money d.
rec'iy Send in letter TO North BrookGeld Madison
connty-direct to Mrs. Juliet Fisk and will that
get II instead Of her; II not rather she would have It
than anybody else ever hear that You tell word Of
this, beware have called daughter lately, but
You don't mstrust who be- send 1t soon you want to
live in peace long"
This threatening missiye threw Mas Ferguson into the
deepest distress and as was natural she Immediately
sought the advice of friends among whom Dr. Mum
ger and d. b. Goodwin Esq, who concluded 10 make
Of dccoy letter In answer TO the Mrs. r. had
ceved in the hope Of exposing the authors Of this cruel
vliany Accordingly letter was written by Mrs. Fer
guson and directed to Mrs Juliet Fisk North Brook
field enclosing two ten dollar bills, marked by
Mr. Goodwin in which IL was stated in substance
,nat she had forwarded $50 Of the sum requr-
ed; that she could not at present command much
money as 600 and she begged her prosecutors to
her own and her childrcns lives The letter taken
from the os Office by Sydney Fisk husband Of Juliet,
and by him taken home. On the evening of the same
day Mr. Fix called on Mrs. Ferguson and uired Of
her she had written letter to his wife, and what the
meaning o. y was MIS- Ferguson answered the first
question in the affirmative anu unsuspectingy Mr..
FISK history OF the whole transaction UP 20 that time
Mt FISK also produced the letter written to his wife, and
tne money contained theein both OF which he placed In
Mrs fergusons Keeping
r. Munger happening TO be present at the time, and
believing Fisk to be entirely innocent induced him W
ctme to Waterve, where aer another consultation In
which Mr.. Fisk Of the consulting party the re-
turned letter. containing the marked SO, placed in
new envelope and redirccfed to Mrs. Fisk at North
Brookfed letter also written by one of Mrs. Fer
gusons friends and forwarded by the mail TO the
postmaster requesting him account u deliver the
letter directed to Mrs Fisk 10 her any Of her family
This on Wednesday, 10th ult the Friday evening
following Fisk and his wife called on Mrs. Ferguson and
Mrs Fisk In the Of private interview with her
stance that during the afternoon before when she was
entirely alone, strange and dark individual evidently
disguised entered her house and inquired She had re-
ceived letter from Mrs. Ferguson, and that being
tod che had and that it contained $50 the strange
individual said the letter and the money intend
ed Tor him. but he appeared 10 be deeply offended the
bitterness Of the sent and remarked that had he ia
Ken the letter from the Office instead Of herself he would
have taken Mrs Eergusons life before morning; tina. the
dark individual then pre- enied loaded pistol her and
nnder great excitement told her that she must Mrs
iefguf. Immediately and inform her that he would not
now ete ms difcuity with her late husband for less
than 81, 800 and that tie
he would murder Mrs Re gson and her whole family
wen as herten ana husband
,cr some inrther conversation TO the same effect in
*hch .ne oain ana mysterious Stranger was made TO
soe m aNnuy threatening mpect and the imminent
danger OF all the parties concerned strongly insisted
ulon Mr; ana MIS-. fiss withdrew. On the following