The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-03


WHEELING, w. VA, August 1.-The re-
markable disclosures published in the
Press to-day, and telegraphed to this city,
in reference to the imposition OF three spu-
rious children upon an unsuspecting hus-
band by q woman residing in Wheeling
are likely to cause a profound sensation
here, where the persons concerned are well
known. John Scarlctt, the quasi father OF
the offspring OF almshOuse mothers, is
highly respected, and Is rather wel-to-do
financially. His home is on Jacob street,
very respectable thorOughfare in the SOUTH
ern portion OF the city. The house, which
is two-story brick, stands on the street.
When your reporter rang the bell it was
answered by servant, who showed him
into parlor which was neatly but not gau-
dily furnished, with several fine prints on
the walls and piano in the corner. In 4
few moments the woman entered. She is
about thirty-two years OF age, and rather
delicate in appearance.
In reply to question a. to the nature OF
your reporters business he informed her
OF the disclosures made in the Press con-
cerning the deception she had practiced on
her husband by presenting him with three
or four bogus babies obtained from the
Il
were uttered she became deathly pale, tot
tered, and fell fainting TO the floor. The
visitors raised her to a sofa and threw water
in her face. As soon as she recovered from
the swoon and the full gravity Of the reve-
lation dawned upon her she burst into
tears.
THE WIFE'J CONFESSION.
After becoming more composed, in reply
4. a i. a IL
" as follows: 81 have been married over
twelve years. My husband has always
been anxious to have children. After we
had been married for some years he would
often express his regret that we had no
little ones. While on trip East to my
mothers house told her OF this, and at
her suggestion we went to the Philadel-
phia almshouse. This was on the Goth OF
February, 1876. L took q little one from
that institution and adopted it as my
own, and wrote my husband that we had
been blessed with a child. / gave it the
best Of care, with my mothers assistance,
for | grew to love it, but it pined away and
died before left the city, and was buried
there. Soon aiterward | returned home,
and being in delicate health, my husband
naturally believed the word / had written
him, and together we momned for the lit
tie one.
THE SECOND DECEPTION.
"The next year | went East again, and
through the assistance OF my mother Sc
cured an infant from the Founding Home,
at the corner OF seventeenth and Filbert
streets. 1t was a beautiful little boy, to-
ward whom my motherless heart went out
at once; but had hardly learned TO love 1t
inf claimed
il, and was again left alone"
This is only the substance OF what Mrs.
Scarlett said. No words can convey the
sadness OF her manner nor describe the
tears which frequently interrupted her con-
NerSatiOn.
She continued: "My husband being still
dissatisfied, the following year l again yls-
tied Philadelphia, and from the Home
there secured a bright, cunning little one,
who is now five years old. On it l have
layished all my affection; | have watched
over Il in sickness and in health, and cared
for it as fondly as though it were my own.
In every respect we have treated II as our
offspring, and it would break my heart to
have it taken from me. My husband loves
il so dearly that he will hardly suffer 1t to
be out of his sight, and know could not
love il more were / its true mother"
The girl is pretty little child, ana was
dressed with the utmost neatness, ana her
whole appearance indicated that she was
cared for with the greatest KINDNESS.
kissing the little one and sending her from
the room, Mrs. Scarlet turned TO the re-
norter and said: "Can they take her away
from me She Is all have. could not
live away from her. Her father idollzes
her. DO you think they can take heI
away?" When assured that TINS coula
not be done she became more composed,
and earnestly pleaded that she might moi
be exposed. Mr.. Scarlett is still IN igho.
rance of the fact that he is not the iather o'