Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-10
From the Lansing tMieh.l Republican,
A VILLAIN UNMAsRED.
Extraordinary Case of Mans Perfidy an"
Momnn,s Crednlity.


wOman's Credulity.
William r. Hlbbard, who has for eight
months past been a resident of Kalamazoo,
is a man OF about thirty-six years old, car
riage maker by trade, of superior education,
talks well on any subject, quotes scripture
like a class-leader, delights in religious
meetings, and passes for saint OF the nrst
water wherever he goes He was born in
Dundee, Monroe county, In this state,
where his mother still resides. There ne
married his first wife, of an excellent family
but she did not live long enough to mourn
over many of his crimes. He neglected her
after few months welded life; went 10
Adrian to follow his trade, and spent his
earnings in riding around with questionable
women instead of providing for his family
At intervals he would return to his home,
"blarney'' his wife into forgiveness and his
mother out of money. He has three orphan
children at Dundee, living with his nrst
| wiie's parents.
During the rebellion Hibbard enlisted as
nriyate In the Eighteenth Michigan infant
ry, talking patriotism as glblY and iervently
as he GENERALLY does piety, and with as
much hypocrisy. For he made worthless
soldier. sbirked duty, slammed sickness,
and really did but very few days military
seryiee. He kept the society of loose char
aeters in the rear, instead Of fighting brave
ly in the front. More than once, IN sontnern
towns, he was seen riding around with ouoi-
Gus females At some period lie went inlo
the EmpIre State, and at Rome married one
wife. and not long alterward another at ba-
tayia-both very attractive, superior women.
He lived with his victims few months each
and then forsook them. Not lar from ttofne
he played the religious game win such SUE
cess as TO deceive the deacon OF cnuTcni
aud get n good position as clerk In ms stoIe'
He boarded with very nice widow iaoy,
ere long debauched her, and then maue a9
accomplce of her to hide the clolnlng anu
other choice goods he stole from his employ
or. She secreted for him some $40O worth.
But one day, when she was out OF town, ne
packed up this plunder, stole her gold walch
and decamped with the whole properly ior
Michigan. -.
He had been absent several years from
Dundee: he was welcomed there as return
ing prodeal, and found little difficulty, with
his bland manners and oily tongue, In IN,
ducing beautiful young woman, scnool aoo
teacher, to marry him. This was IN looo'
Only ten days after his marriage, ne was al
rested on a reouisition from the Governor OF
New York, taken back TO Rome, tried iol
grand larceny in stealing the clothing and
) watch above mentioned, convicted upon the
testimony of his penitent victim, the wldoW
and sentenced TO the Auburn STATE prison
for three years. He there became acqualnt
ed with fellow convict, whose term was tc
last some five months longer than his OWL
term, and learning this man had pretty
/ young wife with property in her hands, n'
looked her up, after the expiration oil Mi
term, wormed himself into her confidence
seduced her, and got considerable sum o
money from her. He abandoned this victim
, but three weeks before her husbands imprl
sonment ended.
Last winter Hibbard went 10 kalamazoo
put on nice apparel, and his most sanctimo
nious face, attended all the religious meet
/ ings, talked theology eloquently with IN
! minister, and flattered the women dellcatel!
G and successfully. They thought he was tn
t very pink oil perfection; and, as elsewhere
. il was but short time before he entere
? into marriage engagement with one OF III
/ sweetest and most Intelligent ladies OF tina
famous village. Her brother-in-law (our in
c formant) has spent both time and money !
u unmask the villain, being led to suspect hir
g from his wearing such snowy religion
cloak; and this week the exposure Will tax
a place. BY the time these lines reach ou
e readers, William r. Hibbard is either In th
Sherif's clutch for the crime OF bigamy,
e he has fled in terror from the State. He
/. said to have murdered one wife in the Sla
q Of New York, and 10 have desolated by b
lust several families besides those recordt
,e above.