The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-11-25
Fall of a Former Belle.

ALBANY, \. Y, Nov. Il, 1886. The arrest
here to-day of former Boston aud Washing
ton belle on charges of swindlng carried on
in Lynn, Mass. in 1884, has created a sensa-
ton 1t appears that something over year
ago Detective Joseph E. Shaw. of Lynn. came
to Albany in search Of Mary A. Davidson,
who was wanted in that city to answer an in
dictment for defrauding and cheating. The
search at that time proved unayailing, and the
detective returned to Lynn, leaving photo
graphs of the woman. The photographs have
been i'll the rogueS' gallery ever slnce almost
forgotten, but, on Friday, in tracing evidence
against another offender, two local detectives
believed they met the original on the streets.
She was do@ged, her resemblance to the photo
graph fully established. and it was ascertained
that she was living with respectable family
under the name of Mrs. Mary Z. Sturges. De
tectlvc Shaw was telegraphcd for and arrived
to-day with requiSiton from the Governor of
Massachusetts,, which GOV. Hill indorsed, and
she was at once arrested She is a woman of
refnement and, according to the detective,
when in the hey-dey of her youth and beauty.
shone as belle in Boston and Washington.
Her maiden name was Mary Alice Abbott. and
she was born in Bucksport, Me-, where her
father was man of prominence. He is said
to have resided for ii time in Washington.
When still young and brilliant woman she
was married to one Davidson, wealthy resi-
dent OF Lynn. Some years later, according to
her story, Davidson lost his wealth through
unfortunate specuations, and they were thrown
on their own resources. With the loss of his
money Davidson lost his ambition, and the re-
suit was that his wife left him and started in
to make a living for herself Mrs. Davidson
went to Boston for awhile and taught music.
1t is alleged that She then procured the agency
for Lynn from o. Ditson 4 Co., of Boston.
and opened up promising business. Things
went wrong, however, and it is claimed that,
after mortgaging the stock, she sold it for sew
cral thousand dollars and came to this city
with the proceeds. 1t was on this charge the
Indictment now pending was founded. Since
her residence here She has conducted herself in
all respects AS a model Christian woman. She
has been Il frequent attendant al churches,
pray er and revival meeting, and on occasions
was an cNhorter at such gatherings. She earn
ell her living by soliciting insurance for Bulls
agency. Her agreeable manners and powers
as a conversationalist made her many friends.
She has been contributor to st. Nicholas and
other magazines.
Concerning the charge, she says Il was
formerly subject to rllShes of blood to the head,
and one day, when in Boston. was overcome.
and fell TO the ground. 1t was Il hot day, and
think must have sustained >unstrokc. lhe
doctors said | would have been sick anyway. |
was sent to a hospital, and when came out |
came to this city. That was II months ago,
and here have lived since, My lifo has been
open to every one. have attended churches
and prayer meetings, and have walked the
streets freely and openly, and yet no finger
has been raised against me or pointed at me llu-
til to-day. Why to-day l do not know. l
don't remember anything back of my illness.
Since that | have worked hard and recovered
my health. | know nothing about this thing
they tell me about. and can make no state