The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-01-07

MATRIMONIAL SwINDLEs-A New York
correspondent of the Henderson Commercial
gives the following version of the operation of
a villainy Of the matrimonial life of that city:
The topic of conversation for the last week
has been the unprecedented rascalties of Mr..
S. Thrasher Lyons This man scenes to have
developed new kind of iniquity, and to have
made his living by sort of knavery which
the public was unprepared for. This was no
other than getting up correspondence with
confding females, by means Of "Matrimonial'
Advertisements in the morning papers, obtain
ing interviews with them, securing their con-
fdence and finally effecting their ruin; robbing
them of their money and yaluabes, and then
deserting them for new victims. This system
Of Internal viainy he carried on for months
and by this MEANS many c0niding females
lost not only their worldly goods but were
brought to the lowest shame. Lyons is man
Of the most fascinating and agreeable manners
he has the address and accomplishments of
a polished gentleman; he speaks the mode: n
languages with facility, and plays the piano
with good taste and with much skill sings
sentimental songs with great tenderness and
expression, and is perfectly versed in all the
Thousand artS which in many instances go so
far to win the hearts Of women, and which
constitute him. in feminine phraseology "a
perfect love ola man. Although bearing the
outward appearance of a gentleman, his past
history shows him to have been villain in
other countries, before he ever saw credulous
Yankee Land. During a residence in Liver
pool, he was tried and convicted for some
crime, and was transported to Botany Bay,
where he made his escape, came to America
and began practising his arts.
The full extent of his crimes will never be
known to the public, for there are undoubted-
fy many who have been more or less impli-
Gated with him, who will never say anything
about it. From what is known already, it is
asserted that he has seduced and deserted
ten or twelve young girls, several of whom he
has married, besides in several instances run
ming away with the wives of other men. His
manner of doing business was very systematic
When he had succeeded in opening cores
pondence with lady, he would arrange ar
interview as soon as possible, profess himsel
struck with her appearance, and announc,
that his heart was irretriveably gone. H,
would keep at this game until he could ascer
tain the amount of the lady's pecunary means
when he would advise her about investin
her money and if possible secure possession
OF it for that ostensible purpose, when c
course he would put it in his pocket and ceas
his visits. If the lady was, however, to
cautious for this game to work, he woul
make formal engagement, the marriag
would take place, and as soon as he had ST
cured the valuables Of his bride, he would tax
her to some distant city, and there desert he
In one instance, he was engaged to two ladit
of this city, both of whom happened to |
getting their dresses made by the same dres
maker at the same time and so the trick w
discovered. He robbed lady who was {
the point of sailing for California, of 81, IL
which she never recovered.
In six instances that have come to light h
he seduced and robbed young, and till tn
innocent girls. One Of these has gone Graz
and is now in the Insane Asylum where S
will doubtless end her days. The Dai