Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-01
A Romance from Real Life.

Andrews, the Hartford cOachman and
alleged diamond and jeweiry thief,
the arrest of whom vas mentioned in
the Boston correspondence yesterday.
As stated then, he was taken into
custody on the charge of purlOning
some thirty thousand dollars worth
Of gems from Mrs. AntOinette Grid
ley, in whose employ he Wasas coach
man. It is further alleged that be got
away with watches and various other
articles, all Of which, together with
the diamonds, he turned over to "hi5
uncle" for small p~ecuniary c0psidera-
tiOns. Most Of his alleged pilfering is
said to have taken place in Spring
field, where Mrs. Gridley has recently
moved to from Hartford. When
found he was on board the United
States war steamer California, as a
common seaman, and in a few hours
he would have been far beyond the
reach OF officers and detectives. He
was apprehended just in time, how
ever, and has been taken to Spring
field for examination.
Pending his departure to Spring
field he was confined in the station
house at CharlestOWn, where he was
interviewed by Mr.. Benjamin Roberts,
Of that city, and, if his narrative is
true, it furnishes material for an un-
usually interesting and exciting rO-
nance from real life. Andrews told
Mr.. Roberts that in July, 1868, he was
in the employ Of Mr.. Vanderbilt, son
of the Commodore, and that from
there he went to work for Mrs. Grid
ley for twenty-five dollars per month.
1t was then, he says, represented to
him that the lady was worth at least
hall a million of dollars, and that she
was a Southern lady, who had always
moved among the a~TistOcratic chivalry
of the warmer chimes. Her bearing
every way bespoke this, and Andrews
was proud to be seen upon her box,
driving her or her lovely daughter
about the streets or suburbs Of Hart
ford, where they then lived. The
real story of her life was, he says, that
she was the wife Of an industrious and
frugal farmer of the Connecticut val
ley, but that, health failing, he sold
his property for about $4,000 and
! moved to New Haven, where, by
fortunate stock investments, he
amassed quite a snug fortune before
his demise, which was a few months
before Andrews went to live with
them. Mrs. Gridley sold out at New
Haven, and buying a beautiful house
in Hartford, anne there to live.
Her dwelling was furnished
in magnificent style, with elegant
carpets, beautiful sculpture and rare
paintings, and Il was nearly two years
before Andrew discovered that they
were fast using the means at their
command and must, sooner or later,
become bankrupt. A valuable team
was sold on some pretense, and a less
expensive one purchased. A house
was disposed of by mortgage, and at
terward by actual sale, for about S1j,-
600. Furniture found its place in
WarerOOms and saleSrOOms instead of
the spacious chambers OF the brilliant,
sCciety-lOving madame, and little by
little the magnihcence was aban-
dOned, until almost abject perjury
stared them all in the face. At first
his wages were paid regularly, and
then he was told he could have what
he wanted. He was dressed in costly
livery, and lived at ease. His eve
nings were all spent at home. The
destinations Of the daughter, Nettie,
won his affections, and he cared not /
for other society, and she in turn
shOWered upon him the srdOr and
faith Of a WOman's love. She wished
to be always with him, and scarcely /
went with other gentlemen, although /
wealth and luxury could have been
won by her hand. On an evening in
winter, just as the Christmas holidays
Of 1866 were drawing near, she asked
him to take her to her fathers grave
in New Haven, and there, bending
Over the remains of her p~aternal an
cestOr, in the solemn home of the
departed, she vowed before heaven to
ever love him and be faithful to him
and never marryany but him. Upon
their return home they told the
mother what had happened, and
she gave them her benedic-
ton. Subsequently, while he was
IN Boston, at the fremont
House with Mrs. Gridley, she sug-
gested that he should buy a present
for Nettie, and gave him money with
which TO do it. The present was a
watch and chain, the same as spoken
OF by him rs being pawned, by her
direction, for temporary relief from
dire want. The watch which he rails
ed $3.50 on, he says, was his OWN, q
present from Mrs. Grid!ev. The
Hill house which was spOk-
en- of yesterday, was not one Of Mrs.
Grldley's, but one which she cOntem-
purchasing, or at least talked
and sent Andrews to look at. This
was never bought. As the purse
began TO open to smaller
amounts, the family had to resort to
every ~eXpedient possible to keep up
appearances. The $1,000 at first raised
upon her house suficed to keep them
at "a h~rst-class hotel in Bridgeport and
to furnish support another year, when
she returned to Hartford; but it van
ished in time, and poverty began 10
peer in through the damask curtains
of their apartments. Then Andrews
wits were called in plav. He was
sent hither and thither to obtain mo-
ney on this or that article, paWning
and redeeming tomorrow with
money raised upon other articles. and
sometimes forced to sell things far be-
low their real value in Ordert to supply
the pressing needs. At last they re
moved to NOrwalk, Conn.,, where a
house was hired for $3.50 a year. He
by them until he felt that be
a burden to them and then re-
solved to go out, and, if possible, try
and help them. The adieu was at
fectiOnate, and promises for the future
The lady and her daughter
vowed ever to be faithful friends to
him, and he sWOre that they should
have all his earnings. He went to
Stamford, so al TO be as near them as
possible, wrote them regularly, in
formed them Of his plans and success,
and gave them words of hope and en-
cOuragemeut. He went to New York
State to work for a farmer for a short
time, but, getting out of work. went /
to enlist in the navy, as he had init
mated to them he should before this.
After he had entered the service he
wrote TO them, to a town in West.
county, New York, where he
presumed them to be living with the
cousin. No reply has been
received, and he suppOse5 she has
received it. He was drafted to
come 70 CharlestOwn to Join the Cali
and here bethOught Of a friend
through whom he could transmit the
lalfpay which he intended 10 leave for
the widow and her daughter. This
was Mr.. Henry Cotton, who is
engaged in the Navy Yard, and who
was formerly a member of the Pioneer
Hose Company in Hartford with An
irews. The last time he saw MI.
before this was at the recep-
ion IN Hartford of the Franklin Hose
Company Of CharlestOwn, OF which
Mr.. Cotton is a member. While the
We're there Andrews desired
hat they should visit Mrs. Gridley's, Z
md tllzy did so, and had the most