The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-25

to catch their exultant cry: ssThanks
be to God which giveth US the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christi
The millionaire Defaulter Of Cali.
Abont seven years ago, says the San
Francisco Bulletin, Ambrose R. Wood
ruff was resident Of Lynchburg, Va,
holding comfortable situation, in good
social standing, and an active member of
one of the city churches, processing de-
vout piety. Suddenly he fell from tho
summit of fictitious grace, and his friends
we're 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 10.
cality by engaging in the humble occupa-
ton of driving a dray. This was the
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 his business capacity fitted him
for more remunerative position,
he sat down one day and wrote
a letter to the secretary of
the Union Pacific railroad company.
The letter manifested the writer's desires,
and his capabilities as we'll. in language
so frank and seemingly sincere that a
clerkship, for which he prayed, was forth
with granted. No references were ex-
changed, no testimonials of business in
tegrity we're sought. 1t 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.
fuential, 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
of Moore the new clerk held the first
place, and also stood we'll in the esteem
of higher officers. The inexorable 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, latterlv
known as 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 reputed to have amassed large gains.
He permitted none Of his associates to
know that he had wife in the east, and
profaned the marriage altar by wedding,
under false name, wealthy lady, to
whom he had been introduced by de-
iuded friend. He bought magnificent
mansion and therein minis' cred to the
creature comforts and vulgar vanities of
his companions. So lavish was his dis
play of wealth in household adornments
that director who was a guest of
the prosperousasecretary 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 $1,OOO,OO0. He
is reticent as to details, and never ac-
knowledgcs guilty transaction until the
experts detect it. And this is the story
of Woodruff, alias John Miller, the mil
lionaire defaultcr. The estimable lady
who was wronged by the INSCRIPTIONS
wretch still occupies the noble mansion
which is ornate with the: obsolete mono
gram of "John Miller"
GauZe and effect--Summer Overdroccoc