Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1880-01-30
ALIAsED COL. NILES.
Another Chapter OF thIs Arch SeOun-
drel's Career-And n History of His
DOings In AahtabulR.

mitted by Floyd Bardeenin in this and many
other places throughout the country, and
much more could be written, and still
not half the truth be told. The TELE-
GRAPH has come in possession of the fol-
lowing facts in the history of this scOun-
drel, which up to this time have gone un-
published. and which will be read with
interest by the citizens of this vicinity.
About the year 1855 this Floyd Bar
deem appeared in Ashtabula, made the
acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Dibble
sister of Mrs. Ralph Mum OF East Ashta-
bula, and daughter of Mr. Daniel Dibble
Of same place, who died in 1912. Mr..
Ralph Mum was appointed the guardian
of Miss Dibble, and at the age of % years
she became Mrs Floyd Bardeen, the mar
riage ceremony being performed in Ere
donia, n. Y. They then moved to Cleve-
land, where they lived until the fall of
1856, when they again changed their resi-
dence to Bunker Hill, Ill. The fruits of
their union were two bright and promis-
ing children. Bardeen soon abandoned
his family, both children died, and for
time all trace of him was lost.
A citizen of Bunker Hill being in Gin
cinnati a. short time after, found Bardeen
who said he was engaged in the painting
business. When asked why he had de-
serted his wife he replied that he supposed
her to be dead, hence he did not return.
The result of this conversation was. that
he returned to his wife at Bunker Hill,
but they soon left for St Louis, where he
followed the painting business till the
breaking out of the war, when he went to
Memphis, Tenn, with squad Of soldiers
taking his wife with him. About this
time another child was born to them, and
as it was of feeble health they moved back
to East Ashtabula upon the recommenda-
ton of physicians. This was in 1863
While here the child died, and Bardeen
occupied his time as drill-master of Ash
tabula and Plymouth recruits which were
then encamped on the old fair grounds on
Prospect street
In the fall of the same year their fourth
child was born, and he again left his fam
lily, saying he was going to Memphis,
Tenn, and that he would soon send for his
wife and babe Time passed on, but no
news came of the truant husband and father,
and finally Mrs. Bardeen removed to
Mantorville, MINI. After her departure
st. Louis paper was received here by
her friends, containing an account of the
supposed death of Bardeen, which stated
he was killed by guerrilla near Mem
phis. His wife lived in Mantorville,
Mimi, for ten or twelve years, and earned
a living for herself and daughter by teach
ing school, when she married Mr.. Spur
beck, and removed to California where
she is now living.
As time rolled on information was re-
ceived here that Floyd Bardeen was still
alive. and that the obituary notice of his
death which appeared in the st. Louis
Weekly Union, was published for the
purpose of deceiving his friends ,lere.
His next appearance in Ashtapula was
early in the winter of 1878. He was
dressed in the uniform of an officer OF the
o. S. Army. His first inquiries were for
Miss Victoria Benham. He called at her
house on Wednesday, the day of his
arrival but she was not at home.
he then procured board at private board
ing house in town, and became acquainted
with Mr.. Orson Benham, a cousin of Miss
Victoria, to whom he repeated his story of
his relationship to the Benhams. 0rson
accepted his statements and visit to his
parents, who live on the outskirts of the
town, followed. On the following Friday
cousin Cyrus" and Mr.. Orson Benham
called on Miss Victoria, but she failed to
recognize him. He said he had just bought
a large interest in the Elgin Watch Works,
at Elgin, H., and that he had given her
father, Vim. Benham a situation therein at
handsome salary. He soon took his de-
parture saying she would probably recol-
lect him. and that he would call again.
At his next visit he asked her if she yet re-
membered him as her cousin. She replied
she did not, but that she now knew who be
was, that he was Floyd Bardeenl He
turned desthly pale and asked for private
interview, which was granted. He admit
ted his identity and begged her not to ex-
pose him. He then very coOlly drew a seY-
en- shooter and laid it on the table. This
movement was followed by the display of
another shooter. To Miss Benham things
appeared to be taking on quite warlike
air. but she maintained her composure.
He then offered himself to her in marriage,
claiming to possess much property and
with al excellent character, all which he
could prove, and intimsting that any re-
fusal on her part might bring the afOre-
said pistols into use. However she firmly
refused his proposition and he departed
saying he would call again. Notwithstand-
ing her remark that his absence would be
preferable to his company, he again ap-
peared in tie evening and offered to escort
her to an entertainment at the Opera house,
and even did accompanied her to the door
of the hall.
The next day he made parting call, ac
companied by Marshal Thorpe. He said
he had business that called him away, but
he hoped soon to return, The fact was he
was under arrest and was taken to Cleve-
land where he was sent to. the workhouse
for a time for apprOpriating some articles
belonging to Mrs James Hill, of that city,
with whom he had been boarding previous
to his pilgrimage to Ashtabula.
His last capers in Ashtabula county
which finally terminated in his arrest ana
conviction in Oil City, are yet fresh in the
mind of the reader and need not be repeat
ed here. 1t is a satisfaction to the public
to know that such character is now lodged
safely behind the prison bars, and that
there is good prospect of his remaining
there for sometime.
His father, Mr.. Melvin Bardeen, now
lives at Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y, and
is a gentleman who bears the respect of
that community.