The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-09
A Clever Confidence Woman.

0Considcrable excitement has been created
in Jersey Ciiy by the arrest OF Mrs. Mary AZ.
Gibson, alias Mrs. Hanson. on the charge of
CARRYING or extensive confidence operations.
Two years ago she presented herself at the
hat establishment OF Isaac Parmenter. bear
ing from friend Of Mr.. Parmentcr, in Phil
adelphia 9 letter of introduction. The let
ter explained that she was largely interested
in property in New York, and desired his
aid and advice in adjusting affairs connected
with it. She told Mr.. Parmenter that she
had learned from New York city officials that
some lots OH Ninety-second street had been
sold for taxes, and $3.50 was need to release
til EN-. She had 500, and Mr. Parmenter
lent her the remainder. She subsequently,
told him that she had fallen heir to a large
inheritance, valued at 100000, in Germany;
that wealthy relative. Rev. Francis Xavier
Wolff, Bishop Of Baden, had died, leaving
her sole heir to his vast estate; that Cardinal
McCloskey had taken charge of the estate for
her, but that the want OF ready money pre-
vented her from prosecuting her claims; that
she needed cash to pay the expenses attend
ing 1her Identification, etc. Upon these req
RESERVATIONS sue succeeded in vctimizing Mr..
Parmenter to the extent Of about $780, Her
uncertainties became SO frequent that Par
menter finally mstrusted her, and inquiries
concerning her in Philadelphia discovered that
she was q notorious confidence operator. He
endeavorcd to procure Indictment in Phila-
delphia, but the Grand Jury refused to act,
as her operations had been confined to Jer-
sey City. She was not seen i'll Jersey City
till last summer. AT the Union Hill Schuet-
zen Park she became acquainted with Judge
F. r. Farrer. Horace, his brother, and Sam.
ucl and John Garretson. She told to them
the story of her German wealth, and became
quite favorite with them. They drove out
with her frequently, and took her to all the
points Of interest in Hudson. county. She
succeeded in fleeing Samuel Garrctson by
means of power of attorney authorizing
him to act as her agent in the management
of her large estate. In sums varying from
five hundred to one hundred dollars he lent
her the aggregate Of about fifteen hundred
dollars. She placed in the hands Of Horace
Farrier two heavily sealed yellow envelopes
bearing the address Of Cardinal McCloskey. 1
These" she said, contain the papers
which entitle me to my vast inheritance in
Germany. They are, as you see, addressed
Cardinal McCloskey, and, of course, have
rot dared to open them. leave them with
tOu, ~ tiI1t IA Iii my tAaSC1AHS SuVuAu1 70 I
killed, my property will be secure to the I
dear friends leave behind nle.'' Farrier ac-
cepted them, and regarding them as ample |
security for whatever moneys he might adj |
vance, subsequently advanced 81, 500. When |
the envelopes were opened, they were each
found to contain blank sheet Of paper. On
Thursday last Parmenter encountered the
woman in Jersey City, and called the at
tention Of the police to the fact that he had
been swindled BY her. The true character
of the woman was also represented to Mr..
Garretson, and he learned from Cardinal
McCloskey that no such woman had ever
been heard Of by him. Mr.. Garretson went
at once before Justice Reese, and warrant
was issued for her arrest. Inspector Murphy
went to Philadelphia and found the woman
living in good style at No. 1880 Catherine
street. She at first objected to leaving Penn
sylyania without reouisition, but was final
ly prevailed upon to accompany the officer.
to Jersey City. She arrived there on Friday
evening and was locked up to await an ex-
animation.