Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-09
Selett storp.
From the Portland DaiN Advertiser.
IN OUTLAWS C4REER--A 4
PORTLAND ROMANCE.


The History Of Appleton Oaksnlih and
has Escape from he GdllorS-A Bogus
Dirorce and Mock Marridge-AHo-
mans TruSt and rs Recard.
Hiram Fuller. once well known New
Yorker. now editor of the London Cos
mopolitan, announced in recent number
of his paper that Appleton Oaksmith,
anGld and valued friend. formerly well
known in editorial. financial and political
circles in New York, has been residing
since the war in the quiet village of CHG
well near London" Oaksmith being
thus brought before the public again, the
New York Sun gives an account of his
life from which we gather the following
facts, abridging the Suns article. 1t is
hardly necessary for Us to inform Fort
/ land readers that the hero OF this story Is
the son of Seba Smith, the original Jack
Downing. once an editor here, and Mrs.
Elizabeth Oakes Smith, q Portland wo-
man. The name OF Smith not being
sufficiently ariStocratic for her and her
family has been changed TO Oaksmith.
In 1854 Appleton Oaksmith, then ship
master of some repute, was appealed to
| by the Cuban Junta in New York, then
gathering body of 6libusters under
John A. Quitman. Mansfield Lowell and
others, for aid. lie was not thought to
have money of his own. but it was right
ly conjecturod that his acquaintance with
shipping merchants and commercial men
generally in the metropolis would enable
him 10 secure access to their liberality.
Oalsmith entered into the operation rs a
pure speculation. He succeeded in
borrowing large sums OF money with
which to fit out the expedition. Among
others Mr.. Arthur Leary, the wealthy
ship-owner of William street, loaned him
$4,000. With money thus obtained
from various sources fleet OF vessels was
secured which rendezvoused at Mobile.
Pending these events Oaksmith be
came acquainted with Isotta Rebeccini,
the only daughter of an Italian music
teacher then living in Portland. She was
thoroughly educated, versed in the modern
languages, her accomplishments were
varied, and her musical abilities especial
ly remarkable. Thus she was great
favorite in Portland society, sought after
aud admired She was then young, less
than IS years old. Sidney Oaksmith, the
brother and intimate OF Appleton, had
married in Portland and moved in good
society here, and as Appleton made a
liberal display Of money. boasted largely
of his business connections and property,
and possessed a fine figure, good address
and lively habits. it is no wonder he sue
ceeded in winning the affections ot the
young and susceptible Italian belle. Tic
was married to her, at her fathers house
in Portland, on the oath OF September,
1855. by the Rev. Father O'Donnell, ot
ST. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church.
The ceremony was witnessed by the
parents of the bride, the family OF MIR.
nj. Woodbury., Sidneys father-in-law !;
Mr.. John Neal and others. The newly
married pair left Immediately for New
York, where they arrived the following
day. The bride was received with all
proper show of affection by the mother
of her husband, Mrs Elizabeth Oakes
Smith, who was then living in the house
40 Stuyvesant street, which had been re-
Gently purchased by Appleton with q por-
ton OF the money borrowed from Arthur
Leary and others for different purpose,
and put in his mothers name. To this
house he took his bride.
About the time of this marriage the
vessels prepared for the Cuban expodi
ton were seized by the government, not
without the connivance of the owner, as
il is understood Oaksmith represented
to his wife that he must proceed at once
10 Mobile TO secure his interest In the YES
sells, and nine days after his marriage ne
babe her farewell, leaving her in charge
of his desk and papers. Soon after his
departure his mother demanded and took
charge of his desk and papers and the
room in which they were kept, forcibly
eiecting the wife, and remarking that
Appleton has never given charge of this
room TO anybody but me, and mean to
keep the keys for him till he returns. =