Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-10
A PENNSYLVANIA ROMANCE.
An Unpleasant Sensation Caused by the Reap
pearance of Runaway Husband

pearance of a Runaway Husband
A Towanda, Pa, correspondent of the
Cincinnati Times-Star writes: In the
spring of 1882 William Hamilton, farm
er living in the northern oil field, was in
duced to invest $4,000 in oil land in the
then booming Cherry Grove district in
Warren county. His investment was a re-
munerative one, for in a few days he dis
posed of his interest in the land for 3d.
600. This was Hamilton's first transac-
ton in the petroleum business, and the
making in less than a week sum which
he could scarcely have hoped to accumu-
late in a lifetime on his farm turned his
head and he invested all the money he
had and mortgaged his farm to obtain
more on pipeline certificates.
He was caught, with hundreds of others
like him, in the great fall of petroleum
values in the summer of 1882, caused by
the sudden failure of the great spouting
wells in the Cherry Grove field, and ruin
ed. His farm was sold for him, and in
less than three months he died, physi-
cal and moral wreck, having become a
heavy drinker. He was a widower, with
one child, a handsome girl 90 years old.
She was left penniless and almost friend
less by her fathers death.
Henry Gage, a well-to-do farmer, was
neighbor of Hamilton's, and years ago
they became bitter enemies over some
land dispute.
year before Hamilton died Cages
son Lyman, good looking but shiftless
young man, began paying attention to
Hamilton's daughter Mary. She encour-
aged him, but both her father and young
Cages father opposed the attachment.
After Hamilton's death and for some time
before it his daughter supported herself
as a seamstress. Shortly after Hamilton
died Gage quarreled with his father and
disappeared. For some time Miss Ham
ilton received letters from him from diff
ferent places in the west, but they finally
ceased.
In May, 1888, Farmer Gage received
letter signed by George Gray, and dated
Chicago, notifying him that his son Ly-
man had been drowned in Lake Michigan
by the capsizing of boat in which he
was out fishing, and that his body had not
been recovered. Gage went to Chicago,
but could find out nothing further in re-
lation to his sons alleged death. He re-
turned home, however, satisfied that the
young man was dead. He was astonished
on arriving home to learn that Miss Ham
ilton claimed to be his sons widow and
she produced unquestionable proofs that
they had been married in July, 1882.
This fact being established, her father
in-law at once provided her with home
and contributed to her support. young
man named Bedlow Utter, a well contract
or and driller, formed the acquaintance of
the young widow soon afterward, and
they became engaged. Their wedding
day was set for last Christmas, end prep
arations were made for grand marriage.
The Sunday before Christmas great SEN
sation was made in the community by the
appearance of Lyman Gage, the supposed
dead husband of Mary Hamilton.
He refused to give any explanation in
regard to his alleged death. He said he
had come back to take his wife to Chi
cago with him. She refused to receive or
recognize him, in which refusal she was
| heartily supported by her father-in-law,
Gage. Young Gage remained at his faith
er's for a week, when he again disappear
ed. The Utter-Gage wedding was neces-
sariIy indefinitely postponed. At Farmer
Cages suggestion his daughter-in-law
began proceedings against her husband
for divorce. This was granted to her
last week, and on the evening of the day
the decree was made she was quietly mar
ried to Mr.. Utter.
In local paper printed in one of the
northern counties Of this state appeared
on Thursday the following announce
ment:
Mrs. Mary Gage obtained a divorce
from her husband, Lyman Gage, on Mon
day, on the ground of desertion and non
support. On Monday evening Rev. VIM.
Pellet married Mrs. Gage to Bedlow Utter.
| the young railroad contractor"