Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-03
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
A Mountain OfCrilne.

The details of series of startling crimes
which had their inception in Quincy, Ill.,,
have come to light and constitute chapter OF
more persistent and successful villany than Is
presented in Prof De Miles seeming y improb-
bable story of the ''Cryptogram," though In
its general outlines similar one. In that
place wealthy farmer named Golden lived
with his wife and two children, James and
Clara aged - and l9 years respectively, and
up to the year 1868 they were model of what
happy family should be. At that time an
adopted son of a sister OF Mr.. Golden, from
Kentucky, named Ballou, came to occupy
place in the family circle and by very tasclEa-
ting manners judiciouSly exercised won all the
family to an implicit trust in and ardent attec-
tion for him, especially the young lady. who
fell deeply in love with him as he pretended to
do with her and cordial consent to their mar
riage was granted by the parents During this
time Baou limited at extensive Speculatons,
and when he had worked the interest Of his
simple patrons up to the required point he uu
folded their nature He said that he had pur
chased stock of goods in St. Louis worth
$4,000, ,ofwhich IS, 900 worth remained unpaid
Tor, and if his uncle would only buy out this
interest for his cousin, Jim Golden. 1t would be
= great benefit TO both sides. The tempting bait
was closed with, and Balou received money
and convertible paper which amounted to
$4,000, and the two departed Frequent let
ters came from the young men-thoSe OF the
son telling Of the good fortune they were hay
ing and the profits they were mutually making.
Finally there was long break In the cores
pondeuce and then letter came from Ballou
saying that young Golden had absconded with
ali the money, which had been temporarily ~
trusted to him a few days before his regular
time of departure The news was a fearful
blow to the family, but when the shock had
had time to soften Ballou arrived. Heseemed
to have forgiven his defaulting partner. and
was full of sympathy for the afflicted parents.
Meanwhile he pressed his claim upon Clara.
and in few days they were married. While
the honeymoon was being enjoyed. the new
Son-i law decately limited to Mr.. Golden that
it would be only right for the latter to, give
him farm, since he had suffered so much by
the rascality of his son. This also was acceded
TO, like every previous demand W. e.
Ewing. Of Quincy, the family lawyer,
was consulted to draw up deed of gift, when
he was struck by the train of circumstances,
and his suspicious were so strongly aroused that
he communicated them to his client. Though
entirely ncredulous, Mr. Golden consented to
bringing Baou to his Office. when by skitul
cross questioning, the guilty wretch became so
confused and made such strange answers that
he was arrested at first for fraud, but finally
evidence came thick enough to warrant his de-
teution for murder. The examinations and In
vestgations continued through some months,
unit! last May, when the news came from Nc
Kinney, Texas, that young Golden body had
been discovered iu a dense chaparral, the flesh
all eaten from the bones with the exception of
one foot, and there was no clothing but shirt
and one stocking. The remainder of his ward
robe had been stripped from him by his eco
nomical murderer, and some of it used at his
nuptials with the dead man S sister. A requl-
sition was made for the body of Ballou by the
governor of Texas, and he has at last been
condemned to the gallows. The wife of Ballou,
who was but fortnight a bride when the blow
FELL year ago, has ever since been gibbering
maniac, nor has she seen her husband since he
was induced to 60 to the lawyers office.