The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-08-27
Tennessee Farmer Dene eus ea Thres
Thauaand Oallars hY (sinsies


On the 18th of last month, woman calling
herself Mrs. Rivers, called, with her husband
and two children, on wealthy farmer named
Hezekinh Ferris, at his farm in Winchester
franklin county, Tennessee. The visitors
were Gipsies. and made an arrangement to
stop with Mr. Ferris and his family awhile
having first interested them by exhibitions OF
seemingly marvellous tricks. The host was
much attracted by the apparently wonderful
powers possessed by the woman Rivers and
in less than three days was cajoled by her I'M to
belief that treasure of Si00,v00 was secreted
on his farm, and that Ii could 10 regained by
proper witch process. For the accomplish
ment OF this object, Ferris ambition was soon
fired, and he and the gypsy woman Immediate
ly set about the course Of the incarnation.
Three thousand dollars in gold Were neces-
sary Tor the purpose-so he was made to be-
heye-and as he did not happen TO have the
money at hand, he borrowed the whole sum
OF neighbor, getting 81 ,295 in bank bills, and
Sl,sO5 In gold coin. At night the woman Ri
yers and himself entered q room alope, with a
lighted candle, and locked the door against
intrusion A trunk previously provided was
then opened, and the incantafion commenced.
The process was carried on by the woman at
flrst, who tied the money upin coarse hght
handkerchief and united it several times,
meanwhile turning about with quick motions,
and constantly muttering unintel1lgibie GID
beTish. When this farcicai performance was
ended, she and Ferris knelt while she bias.
phemously offered a prayer, addressed In all
mock solemnity, to the Giver Of all.
The bundle she had apparently made OF the
money was then in due form deposited in the
trunk. which was locked and she retained the
KEY. Together they then left the room, she
having previously impressed him with the be-
lief that the deposit just made in the trunk
should rest there undsturbed by mortal hands
for ten days, at the expiration Of which time
if he had Materially adhered to her instrnc-
tons, he would find the coveted Sit0,W0 on
opening the trunk. At the end OF the third
day OF their stay there, the Gipsy family de-
parted the KEY of the trunk being taken with
them. After the woman mad gone, it seems
that Ferris grew suspicious that perhaps All
was not right in the transaction; but he never
theless oyereame his doubts, and awaited with
all the patience he could summon for the arri-
val of the time when he could see himself
whether he was duped or not. He kept the
matter to himself for the remainder Of the ten
days, and then the trunk was forced OPEN
There lay within it the Identical parcel he had
seen put there by the woman Rivers. A slight
notion of "all right" touched his feelings, and
he hastened to open the covering, and 10 P! there
were not the 0.O00 nor the $3,000, but trash
equal in bulk to the money he had entrusted
to the hands of the false woman Rivers.
He cast about at once to find the female that
had thus cajoled him, but the bird had flown,
and was doubtless far beyond reach; but ne
WAS told that q few miles away there was an
other Gipsy. To this one he hastily went and
consulted her OF course she knew All about
the others that had visited him, and told him
they had used false names, that their real
names were James and Elizabeth Trail. She
further said that they belonged in Murphy
town. near New York city.
Forthwith he came to this city. A mercan
tile acQuain tance introduced him to Captain
Leonard, of the 26th Precinct, on last Thurs
day, who, after hearing the story of his loss,
gave him the solution that the money had
been taken and the worthless stuff he found
in its stead, subs tituted probably at the time
when the evening incarnation was made. He
also informed him that the Gipsy who had
given him the "Mur phytown' information
had, undoubtedly, been decoy of those who
had robbed him, placed where he would be
likely TO hear of and consult her, after his
loss should be discovered, in order to send
him off on 'wild goose chase rs there is no
such place AS ''Murphytown" in the vicinity
of New York. Officer Barry was, however,
directed to give attention TO the matter, but
he was unable to get the slightest clue to the
parties. Ferris remained at the Stevens
House until Tuesday, when he returned
home, feeling, no doubt, much wiser man
than when he left there, though any one OF
common sense, on seeing him, would say that
he was sold enough TO know better."-N. \.
ErpYesS