Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-09
A BIGAMISE
A Beautiful Young Lady of
jackson One OF His Victims.
A story of Misplaced Confidence
Arrest of the Gay Deceiver.

Arrest of the Gay Decetver.
About the last of January man call
ing himself Col. L. w. Hardwick, and
protesting to hail from Lynchburg, Va,
where he owned and edited paper called
the Lynchburg Republican, arrived in
jackson, Tenn, in company with Mrs.
Davis daughter of w. s. Galloway, of
that city, whom he met on the train, and
with whom he claimed relationship, and
became guest of Mr.. Galloway. He
stated that he was q bachelor; that he
was possessed of large wealth; that he
enjoyed poor health and was travelling
for recreation and pleasure. After a
more extended acquaintance, he spoke of
his aimless life-no one who cared for
him beyond his wealth, the bitter loneli-
ness for heart that yearned for sympa-
thy and congenial society, and had been
poisoned by the shallow emptiness and
selfshness of the world, until it mistrus-
ted every image of the angel form, as a
fortune hunter; that if he could find in
the atmosphere of a quiet, country vii
lage, lady beautiful and accomplished,
untainted by the folly and frivolities of
fashionable life, who would love and wed
him for himself, that life would be no
longer a burthen, but source of pro-
found felicity; that he would adore
the memory of any being who would
throw such a creature in his path; that
there could be no earthly wish that this
good angel should not have gratifed, even
If it extended to the presentation of
horses and carriage, etc.
While in Jackson he spent large sums
for jewelry and other presents for his
ssrelatives" and friends. With prodi-
gal hand he scattered his money, declar-
ing that he intended to enjoy life, and
make his friends enjoy it while he could.
He was rather good looking, plausible in
manners, and evidently considerably ex
perienced in the ways of the world. He
imposed on Mr.. Galloway and his family
completely, and through them imposed
on others. No pains were spared to
make his stay agreeable and pleasant; no
wish of his heart that was not gratified.
In order that he might have an opportunity
of meeting those ladies who have made
Jackson celebrated, on account of their
beauty and wit, party was given in
honor of their wealthy and generous rela-
tive by the family of Mr.. Galloway, and
many of the most beautiful and accom-
plished young ladies of Jackson attended.
Among the fairest and loveliest was Miss
Moliie Taylor, the daughter of Mrs. Robt.
Taylor. Upon this innocent and bea It'll
full girl, only seventeen years Of age, the
| villain used all his arts. He poured
honeyed words into her listening ear, in
| famed her imagination with the splendors
and joys of wealth; contrasted her pres
ent life, with its privation and toll, with
what it might be as a wealthy bride, spoke
| feelingly of her poor mother, toiling in
her declining years, of her interest
ing little sisters who might, with
finished educatiOns win husbands from
the great and powerful, painted home
among the beautiful valleys of Virginia,
where splendor, luxury, ease, and love
reigned supreme, and asked her to become
its queen. She fell victim to his cum
ming wiles, and with purpose as noble
and holy as ever consecrsted the union OF
two loving souls she trusted to his honor
and pledged her sacred vows. The vii
lain had the brazen effrontry to go to the
Clerks Office for his own license,
in company with the Rev. John
Brooks, this clerical gentleman going
his security upon the usual bond. Wher
he signed his name he asked the CLERK
eff he didn't sign his death warrant with
great composure," but at the same time
exhibiting q degree of nervousness that
was attributed to anything bat the true
cause They were married by the Rev.
Jas. A. Harrison, Rector of st. Luke''
Episcopal Church, on the I'd day of Feb
last, and left Immediately on an extended
bridal tour, amid the congratulations an(
tears of their friends and relations. Tit
first letters from the happy Bird,
were full of hope and joy, but alas
how soon to be dashed to the
ground and brokenl In about tel
days after their departure, came tn
startling intelligence that Hardwick wa
was an embezzler and bigamist. He hs'
but shortly swindled some parties in Lit
tie Rock out of a very large sum, and ha
wife and two children living, the oldes
nineteen years of age. The telegraph wa
put to work, and Hardwick was arrestet
IN Philadelphia, where he had taken tn
poor innocent girl to visit her des
fathers relations. He is now in Jail Their
awaiting a requisition from the Governo
of Arkansas, and 'sMollien is with he
relatives, her family having telegraphet
them to take care of her.