Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-30
$! Dry Of a Virginia DefauIfer.

S!Jry of q Virginia Defaulfer.
The sudden turning UP of Ambrose r..
Woolroof, d native of Amherst c., Va,
its defaulter in California for millions,
has revived some recollections of his flight
from Lynchburg, four years ago. From
the Republican of that city, we take the
following history of the man:
1t will be remembered that Woodroof
left Lynchburg full four years ago, with
something more than suspicion resting on
his name. He fled to the far distant West,
and settled in California, where by his at
liability, pleasing address, native shreWd-
ness and professional claims to rank and
distinction, he soon not only won the res
pect Of citizens, but SO ingratla.ed himself
into their favor that they reposed the most
unbounded confidence in him. He was
admitted to the highest social circles, and
soon appointed to the highest position of
Secretary Of the Western Development So
ciety. Through his hands passed all
nually several million of dollars. and
though receiving as a compensation Tor
his services, $4,000 per annum, he began
to appropriate the funds OF the company.
He soon won the hand of beautiful and
accomplished lady, and though he was
married to a highly respectable lady in
Amherst county, he celebrated his mar
rage to a second wife-a daughter OF the
golden State 1t is stated that all the
while he had been sending large sums back
| to persons in Lynchburg to whom he Was
| indebted, and that nearly all his debts had
| been cancelled by tae amounts which he
sent. 1t was supposed that he was paVlni,
| his way to return to his Old home. tie
| had in the mean time boarded a magnlil-
cent fortune, out of which he had erected u
princely mansion, and adorned it with the
richest and costhest furniture only to rev.
| ell in his shame and dark crimes. SuSpl-
cion was at length aroused. and upon liz
yestigation it was found that Woodroof
had defrauded the company out OF an enor-
nous sum, approaching one million doHarS.
| He was accordingly arrested about the
LIST of July, and is now under the custody
of officers of the law.
His first wife, ignorant OF his second
marriage, went to visit her faithless lus-
band several months ago in San Francisco,
and though she remained sometime, the
| second great crime, and the bigamy OF her
husband, were kept secret from her. On
( her return, however, she was accompanied
| by a LAWYER named Brown, who revealed
! to her, OH her homeward journey, the Sc
| crets of WoodroofS' house and the diScov-
cry of his defalcation and his capture
Language cannot describe the agony which
must lave tortured the sensibilities OF the
former wife upon this startling announce
ment. She arrived here last Friday, with
the San Francisco lawyer, who, it is said
represents the defrauded company, and is
making efforts, il possible, to recover some
of the funds which Woodroof is supposed
to have sent to his creditors in this city
1t is stated that attorneys have been EN-
ployed to defend the interests of either
side, and it is not improbable that large
suits will be instituted.
The affair has created great excitement
here, and the public look with avidity tt
every new fact that comes to light, while
tlrey grasp at every fumor that floats about
! the streets.
Ambrose r. Woodroofis descended from
one of the most respectable and heightened
families in this section of the State, and
to his many relatives and connections nc
one will impute the crimes Of this reckless
and misguided man, who has separated
himself forever from his honorable kinS
men.
Writing at a later date the same journal
says:
The excitement created here by the pub
LEGATION Of the heavy defalcations of A. r
| Woodroof, and ky the arrival in this city
of Mr.. II. S. Brown. a California lawyer
representing the defrauded company, has
not subsided. Its currently reported that
MI. Brown has managed the case witt
wonderful tact and shrewdness, vet it is
known that he has been assisted in his
operations by the ablest counsel in this
city. 1t is now ascertained that larg
amounts have been recovered from parties
in this city, who. when Woodroof's defal
cations became known to them, delivered
up the funds to the attorney of the de
frauded company. 1t is stated, upon gopt
authority that Mrs. J. G. Woodroof, the
first wife OF the defaulter, has given oven
$50, 900, while several other parties holding
| funds. said to belong to Woodroof, have
promptly come forward and surrendered
them to Mr.. Brown. We understand thai
more than $4,000 has been recovered ane
that much more will probably be obtained
Some of the old creditors of Woodrool
in this city have q serted, and will IL
doubt maintain, the priority of their clainl'
| to large amount which Woodroof deposi
ted in one of the banks of this city. The
decision of such a case must necessarily
involve some knotty points Of law which
may generate considerable litigation