The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-26
Strange Case Of Deception.


A special despatch from Paterson, N. j.,
says:
A strange case Of deception and elope-
ment has just come to light in Paterson,
N j., For several months William Kirk,
driver for Eletcher's Express, has been
paying attention to young woman named
Mary Spence, living in Market street
The girl bears an excellent reputation
She has been employed in tho Adams silk
Mil. Kiik is about 45 years Of age, is
married and has daughter about Is years
OF age. BY blackening bis nnoustache
aud resorting to other 6eceptions he man
aged TO present much younger appear
ance He represented to the girl that his
age was 35. His employer, Thomas Fletch-
en- prominent citizen and member OF the
Board of Education, has brother Will
liam, and Kirk personated this brother,
and iepeseted himself to Miss Spence all
through his courtship to be William
Fletcher.
The wedding was set for week ago
Sunday. Kirk said he would have the GER
emony performed by the Rev. Mr.. Shaw,
ofthe Second Presbyterian church. But
he could not get Mr.. Shaw, and so he en-
gagged Mr. Craig, the pastor Of the Cross
street M. e. church. When Mr.. Craig
arrived at the house Kirk merely said
Here is the minister
Until yesterday Miss Spence thought the
ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr..
Shaw. They waited some time for "BGoth-
er Tom" who, Kirk said, was coming
The time Of waiting was utilized by chris
tening three children in the house. But
Thomas did not come. Kirk said he guessed
something had prevented his attendance,
and advised that the ceremony proceed
This was consented to, and the marriage
was performed The couple visited New
York and Philadelphia on their wedding
trip.
While at a hotel in Philadelphia, some
thing happened that made the girl suspect
that everything was not all right and in
the temporary absence of Kirk she took
the train for New York and returned
home. She reached Paterson on Thurs
day night last. She made some inquiries,
but could not unravel the mystery. FL
nally she sent for Thomas Fletcher, and
asked what kind of man his brother Will
liam was, as she had been married to him.
Thomas Fletcher was thunderstruck, for
he knew that his brother William was not
married, aud had not been away from
home at all. She related the circum-
stances of the courtship, and then the
whole deception became apparent. The
girl learned for the first time how she had
been deceived.
Kirk has not yet returned home, and it
is not thought likely that he will come back
10 Paterson. How he could have main
tained his dual character for SO many
months without discovery is a mystery.-
Mrs. Kirk did not know of her husbands
conduct. When she learned the facts she
was almost distracted.
The Rev. Mr.. Shaw knew nothing of the
case until Sunday last. When he was
called upon by a reporter who inquired
about the circumstances of the marriage.
MIR. Shaw immediately set to work to clear
up the mystery. He soon learned that the
marriage ceremony was performed by the
Rev. Mr.. Craig.
Mr.. Craig says he was sent for to perform
the ceremony. He found the mother and
the sister of the bride present. and as it
was in their house he supposed it was all
right. He asked the usual questions, and
from the replies he understood that there
was nothing irregular in the proceedings.