The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-07-08
Queer Mistake of a Woman in Claiming
the Husband of Another.
From the Rochester Union.


An industrious and i~noffensive appearing
man named James O'Connor, residing in
the neighboring town of Rush, came to
this city with his wife to do some business.
The two were about to take the stage for
home about three o'clock D. m, when sud-
denly a strange woman made her appear
ance, embraced O'Connor, and exclaimed:
"~Schofield, you are my husband The man
was powerless for resistance and d9mb
with amaZement. In vain he stammered
out a denial of all knowledge of the wo-
man. She was not thus to be beaten, and
persisted in maintaining the tender relation
she had thus avowed The wife of O'Con-
nor, standing by, at first partoOk of the
surprise, but soon her powers of speech
came into play, and the greelI-eyed monster
becoming aroused, she gave vent to her in
dignation in no very dignifed language,
dividing her scorn between the woman and
her husband. A crowd gathered about,
feeling much interested in what was going
on, though few, if any, understood the
cause of the disturbance.
The man who was thus innocently the
canse OF the dispute that had now become
chiefly a matter among the females only,
retreated, followed by the women. He de-
clared his purpose to go to the Police
Court and demand an investigation. While
he went to invoke the aid Of the law,
the strange woman who claimed him as
her husband, went into an intelligence
Office kept by a strong minded fe-
male named Lamphier and seated herself
quietly 10 repose after the battle. Thither
she was followed by Mrs. O'Connor. who
attacked her with epithets such as an in
dlgnant wife only can command when
jealousy Is thoroughly aroused. The wo-
man Lamphier took the part of the new
claimant, though she knew nothing of the
dispute in the street, and she resolved to
go to the Police Court for satisfaction for
the injured friend in search of a truant
husband.
Meanwhile O'Connor had reached the
Police Office and found Mr.. Cooper acting
as Magistrate. He stated his case and beg
ged tc have the question settled under the
forms of law. He said his wife would give
him no peace if he did not prove IN Court
that he vas not the truant husband. The
Magistrate directed Policeman Me-
Cormick to arrest the strange wo-
man and bring her into Court. The
officer found her at the Intelligence
office engaged in the dispute with Mrs.
O'Connor and politely escorted her to the
police Office. The woman said the name
of her husband was William Sehofield; that
she married him six years since. and that
he left her five years ago. She was sure at
first that 0Connor was the man, but was
now convinced of her mistake, and relin-
pushed all claim.
Just at this moment, when matters were
apparently arranged satisfactorily to all
parties, three females rushed into the court
room. At the head of the trio was the
stalwart form of Mrs. Lanphier, the keeper
of the intelligence Office, and behind her a
woman in her employ, and following them
Mrs. O'Oonnor. Mrs. j.. declared the police
hadarrested the wrong one-that Mrs. Scho-
field was innocent and Mrs. O'Connor had
insulted and abused her in IA shameful
manner. She had only seen the second
act in the drama, and knew nothing of the
first, which took place in the street. After
a few minutes order was restored in the
court room, and the Magistrate stated the
case. showing how the MISUNDERSTANDING
had occurred, as it appeared by the state,
ments of the parties. All were satisfied.
Mr.. and Mrs. O'Connor left satisfied and
reconciled. Mrs. Schofeld went her yay
in search of her faithiess husband.