Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-18
Extraordinary Swindling.

Yery curious case of swindling Is mar
rated in the Manchester Guardian. About
fifteen months ago, an industrious, well
to-do broker, residing in Lincoln, had tho
misfortune to lose his wife, leaving him q
widower with five children, whose age:
varied from eight to twenty years. About
a month after the death of his wife, Mr.
Taylor, the broker, was visited by lady,
who chose goods to the amount of fifteen
pounds, which she directed should be
sent to a house in Lincoln, which she had
lately taken. A few days after, the lady
paid another visit to the shop, and order
ed articles which necessitated visit to
the house of his customer by the broker.
The intercourse between them increased,
and the lady, who said her name was
Cooper, informed Mr.. Taylor that she was
a widow, with two children, and an annu-
ity of forty pounds per annum. and that
she had lately received communication
from the Court of Chancery, informing
her that she was heiress to an immense
property in Scotland, and that few pre-
liminaries were necessary, which would
cost few hundred pounds, before she
could take possession of her property
The trap was so well laid that the victim
fell into it at once offered her his hand
and heart, telling her he had about one
thousand pounds, which was at her diSpo-
sal. Notwithstanding the cautions of in
innate friends, they were married. 4
loan was raised upon some freehold prop
erty, and with the money she said she
commenced proceedings. Anxious to get
her husband away from the surveillance
of his relatives and friends, Taylor was in
duced to leave Lincoln, selling at great
loss all his goods, and removing 10 Boston,
where he took a house in the High street.
The news of Taylor's good fortune was
soon known in Boston, and every one was
congratulating the fortunate husband of
the millionaire. A large steam flour
mill and other property, belonging to the
executors of gentleman lately deceased.
was offered for sale by public auction, and
purchased at cost of t / 900, and so uni |
verSally believed was the tale of the Chan
Gerry suit that not farthing was asked |
as deposit
Several months elapsed, and several
hun dred pounds were expended in what
Mrs. Taylor called preliminary law pro-
ceedings, and the husband at length be-
gan to be impatient. Mrs. Taylor then
went up to London, and returned with a
document purporting to be a certificate
from the Lord Chancellor that she was
heiress to " the Gordon property" To
this document large seal was affixed,
which she declared to be no less than the
Chancellor seal This wonderful docu-
ment was shown, and the tidings of it
spread like wildfire. Matters passed on,
and the lady continued to draw money
with reckless profusion from her easy hus-
band, assigning most extraordinary rea- ;
sons for the outlay. On one occasion she
pretended that she had received a letter
from her bailiff in Scotland, announcing :
hat certain repairs were required at one ;
arm which would cost seventy pounds. {
Various other expenses kept coming in, {
md stamps to documents" appeared to J
De an interminable item. During all this {
ime, Mr.. Taylor was quite unconscious |
hat he was being imposed upon. lie
vent round Boston describing in glowing '
erms the beauty of his estate, and invited |
riepds to spend next autumn in fishing {
nd grouse shooting. At length the bub- t
lie burst. All the hard earnings of Tay- i
Or being spent, he angrily demanded Of i
lis wife that he should see the solicitors, y
nd receive some portion of the fortune. :
IN Monday week the pair started for Lon
on, and Taylor discovered that he had r
cen imposed upon. Many parties are
and one who lent money up
n plate" found on opening the chest,
box of stones and rags. The Lord Cham
ellor's documents had the impression of t
half crown attached, and is, of course a C
ross forgery. The superintendent of po- o
ce at Boston has had warrant for the II
pprehension of Mrs. Taylor put into his Il
ands on 4 charge of swindling, and on "
'ednesday she was found in London, +
aving just given birth to a son and heir.
he has since been removed to Boston, b
nd will, in all probability, be brought be- Ia
re the magistrates next week. TAYLOR Il
as returned to Lincoln to make his for c.
me afresh. n