River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-09-03
The Millionaire DeSaulter of Cali
fOrnia.

Abont seven years ago, says the San
Francisco Bulletin, Ambrose r. Wood
ruff was a resident of Lynchburg, Va,
holding comfortable situation, in good
social standing, and an active member Of
one Of the city churches, protesting de-
vout piety. Suddenly he fell from the
summit Of fictitious grace, and his friends
were mortified and astonished by his de-
lection in deliberate rascality. He was
enabled to escape the punishment which
his crimes deserved by absconding, and
for years after nothing more was heard of
the fellow in Lynchburg. except per-
hapS, by his faithful wife, who remained
in that city and became the OBJ
Ject of much wasted sympathy. About
the time that Ambrose R. Woodruff
dropped into sea of obscurity however,
John Miller emerged upon the surface.
He appeared at Sacramento, and. in the
absence Of letters of introduction and
high testimonials of character, he was
compelled to commence life in his new To-
cality by engaging in the humble occupa-
ton of driving a dray. This was tho
first scene in the career of the champion
defaulter in California. The next may
be briefly told. Wearying Of the hard
features Of the drayman's life, and know
ing that bis business capacity fitted him
for a more remunerative position,
he sat down one day and wrote
letter to the secretary of
the Union Pacific railroad company.
The letter manifested the writer's desires,
and his capabilities as well, in language
so frank and seemingly sincere that
clerkship, for which he prayed, was forth
with granted. No references were ex.
changed, no testimonials Of business in
tegrity were sought. Ii is not necessary
to rehearse the same old story of human
credulity; but it should be recorded that
the new clerk grew daily in the esteem of
his associates. Agreeable in manner, en-
PERTAINING in speech, and generous to the
degree Of the extravaganza, he soon sur.
rounded himself with friends, some in.
fluential, some rich, but none venal, as
the world goes. Among the clerks in the
office was one familiarity known as Jimmy
Moore. In the routine Of promotion
Moore stood on the threshold of the Sec
retary's office, waiting for vacancy which
had been promised. In the confidence
VI Moore the new clerk held the first
place, and also stood we'll in the esteem
Of higher officers. The memorable decree
Of death removed Moore hence to another
world, leaving the way open for the new
found friends speedy promotion. The
concluding chapter Of the romance is
short. The unknown clerk was in brief
time appointed to the responsible office of
secretary Of the corporation, latterly
known rs the Western Development Co.
He daily grew in popular favor, individ.
ual wealth and official prestige. He ven
tured with marvellous success into the
dangerous whirl OF stock speculation, and
was reputcd to have amassed large gains.
He permitted none Of his associates to
know that he had n wife in the east, and
profaned the marriage altar by wedding,
under false name, wealthy lady, to
whom he had been introduced by a do.
luded friend. He bought a magnificent
mansion and therein ministered to the
creature comforts and vulgar vantieS of
his companions. So lavish was his dis.
play of wealth in household adornmcnts
that a director who was n guest Of
the prosperous secretary suspected rob-
berry, and had an investigation Of the
company'S books. and the secretary was
arrested as a fugitive and forced TO sur.
render his available gains. Investigation
has already disclosed the fact that his
defalcation approaches Sl.000,000. lie
is reticent as TO details, and never &C.
knowlcdgcs guilty transaction until the
experts detect il. And this is the story
Of Woodruff, alias John Miller, the mil.
lionairc deiaulter. The cstimable lady
who was wronged by the INSCRIPTIONS
wretch still occupies the noble mansion
which is ornate with the obsolete mono.
gram Of John hillet,"