Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-02
A Tennessee Farmer Done ont Of
Three Thousand u olIars by Gfpsfes.

A Tennessee Farmer Done ont Of
Three 1housand u ouars by Gfpsfes.
On the 18Th of last month. a woman, cali
ing herself Mrs. Rivers called. with her hls-
band aud two children, on a wealthy farmer,
named Hezekiah Ferris at his farm in Win
chester, Franklin county. Tennessee. The
visitors were gipsies, and made an arrasge-
ment to stop with Mr.. Ferris and his family
awhile, having first interested them by exhi-
billions 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 Der into belief that a treasure OF $780,
600 was secreted on his farm, and that 1t
could be regained by proper witch process.
For the accomplishment of this object, Fer
ris's ambition was soon fired, and he AID the
gypsy woman Immediately set about the
course of the incarnation.
Three thousand dollars in gold were neces-
sary for the purpose-so he was made to be-
lieye-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 S1.705 in gold coin. AT night, the wo-
man Rivers and himself entered room
alone, with a lighted candle. and locked the
door against intrusion. A trunk previously
provided was then opened, and the incahtation
commenced. The process was carried on by
u.
coarse light handkerchief and united it
several times, meanwhile turning about with
quick motions and constantly muttering I'M
ineligible gibberish. When this faAatical
performance was ended, she and Ferris knelt
while she blasphemously 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
l. - i. n
the key. Together they then left the room.
the having previously impressed him with
the belief that the deposit just made in the
trunk should rest undisturbed by mortal
hands for ten days. at the expiration of which
time, if he had unalterably adhered to Der
instructions, he would find the coveted $780,
900 on opening the trunk. At the end of the
third day of their stay there, the Gypsy fam
lily departed. the key of the trunk being
taken with them. After the woman had gone,
ii seems that Ferris grew suspicious that per
haps all was not right in the transaction but
he nevertheless overcame his doubts. and
awaited with all the patience hecould summon
for the arrival of the time when be 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 the identical parcel he had
seen put there by the woman. Rivers. A slight
notion OF ''all right" touched his feelings.
and he fastened to open the covering. and
10! there was not the 100000, nor the So
600, but trash equal in bulk 10 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 he was told that a few miles away there
was another Gypsy. To this one be hastily
went and consulted her. OF course she knew
all about the others that bad visited him. and
told him false names. that their real names
were James and Elizabeth Trail. She further
said that they belonged in MurphytOwn, near
New York city.
Forthwith he came to this city. A mer-
camille acquaintance introduced him to Cap
tain Leonard, of the Goth Precinct, on last
Thursday, VINO, 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, substituted probably at
the time when the evening incantation was
made. He also informed him that the Clip
sy who had given him the ''Murphytown"
information had, undoubtedly, been a decoy
of those who had robbed him, placed where
he would be likely to hear of and consult
her. after his loss should e discovered, in or
der to send him off on wild goose chase
as there is no such place "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. a much
wiser man than when he left there, though
any one of common sense, on seeing him,
would say that he was cold enough to know
better. IN T. Express.