Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-20
MIsFORTUNE's VICTIM.
Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, OF Lynn, Ar
rested for Fraud.

Mrs. Mary A. Davidson, or Lynn, Ar
rested for Fraud.
An Albany On. " special says: Mrs
Mary =. Sturgess, who has been LIVING
with John NJ. Peek I'm this city for year
past, was arrested by detectives, who claim
| that her true name Is Mary A. Davidson
that she belongs IN Lynn, Mass, and that
she Is wanted 10 answer an indictment IN
that city for selling mortgaged property.
II is said that she procured pianos and or
CANS from Ditson, OF Boston, TO sell on
commission, then mortgaged them and
sold them of at less than cost, pocketlng
the proceeds, which amounted TO several
thousands OF dollars. She was taken to Bos-
some woman Of fifty years OF age, and since
her residence here has taken au active part
in church and revival work.
IL was an easy task for the detectives TO
locate Mrs. Davidson as residing with the
family Of John NJ. Peck, at No. So Clinton
avenue, under the name OF Mrs. Mary u.
Sturgess. Word was sent 10 Detective
Shaw al once OF the discovery, and the de-
tective responded in person last evening.
Between 0 and 10 O'Clock this morning,
Detectives Dwyer, CoDnors, and Shaw VS.
tied the house, No. S. Clinton avenue, and
asked for Mrs. III. L. Sturgess.
II has been customary while she has been
stopping there for all the mail and other
things destined for her TO be carried TO her
room, but the detectives insisted on her
coming down TO the door. she came, and
Dwyer accosting her, asked il she did not
sometimes 90 under the name OF Abbott.
The woman was fairly dazed at first, but
said "Yes, that was my maiden name
/" You are also called Mary A. Davidson,
and have been in Lynn" said Dwyer.
eyes" said Mrs. Davidson, looking
thunderstruck. The officers then made
known their business, and said she must
accompany them. She dressed herself, and
was soon at headquarters. She was left in
the custody OF Dryer, while Connors and
Shaw went 10 Governor Hill TO procure the
warrant Of eXtradtion, which was granted.
The story Of the wOman's career, as given
by the detectives, is interesting. She is
woman OF refinement. and when in the
beyday of her youth and beauty sbone as
u 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. lie j. said
TO have resided for lime in Washington.
where Mary made her entree into society.
When stil a young and brilliant woman she
was married TO one Davidson, wealthy
resident of Lynn. Some years later. ac-
cordIng TO her story, Davidson lost his
wealth through unfortunate speculations,
and they were thrown on their own re-
sources.
With the loss OF his money Davidson lost
his ambition, and the result was that his
wife left him and started Ia to make living
for herself. They had daughter, who.
married lawyer named Edgerly. Edgerly
got into trouble, which threatened to result
in his disbarment, and he went West,
where he settled down and became district
attorney Of the county, but was compelled
TO clear out once more because OF improper
practice.
Mrs. Davidson went to Boston for awhile
and taught music. 1t is alleged that ne
then procured the agency for Lynn from
Oliver Ditson q Co.., Of Boston, and opened
up a promising business. Things went
wrOrg, however. and II is claimed Ga
after mOrtgaging the stock she sold Ii for
several thousand dollars and came to this
city with the proceeds. It was on thls
charge the indictment now pending was
founded.
Since her residence here she has conduct
ed herself in all respects as n model, Girls
tan woman. She bias been frequent al
tendaut at churches. prayer and revival
meetings, and on occasions was an en-
hotter AT such gatherings. she mainly at-
tended the Tabernacle Baptist church. she
earned her living 10y soliciting insurance for
Bulls agency.
Her agreeable manners and power aS
conversatioDahst made her many friends
curing her stay-friends who VIII be SLOW
to credit the serious charge that has been
made against her. While she sat In the
chiefs office, after dispatclnug note to
Mrs. Peck, reporter introduced himself
and asked il she desired 10 make any STATE
ment in regard to her arrest and the alleged
cause OF it.
She talked easily and freely, mainly about
her lie in this city and the delightful ASSOC
Citations she had formed during her stay.
She added that she had been an attentive
reader Of newspapers, and was something OF
an authoIess, having only last week contFi-
buicd an article to the 81. Nicholas MdJ1-
ziae. She had also written for other pub
LEGATIONS. when pressed with question as
TO what she desired 10 say about the charge.
she said: 81 was formerly subject to
rllSncS OF blOOu 10 Tue HtHu, iuu piiS uiy
when in Boston was overcome and fell TO
the ground. Ii was hot day. and thiak
/ must have sustained sunstroke.
The doctors said | would have been
sick anyway. was sent to a hospital, and
when came out came to this city. That
was fourteen months ago, and here have
lived since. My lie has been open to every
one. have attended churches and PRAYER
meetings, and have walked the streets freely
and openly, and vet no finger has been
raised against me or pointed at me until to-
day. Why to-day do not know. don't
remember anything back OF my illness.
Since that have worked hard and recogered
my health. know nothing about this
thing they tell me about, and l can make
no statement about what know nothing
Of"
She further made some mysterious allu-
sions TO elements that had been appearing
| against her, but declined to say what they
were further than that 1t was the work OF
her enemy. The woman, after waiting I'M
] I'll O'Clock, waived in writing her right to
be taken before a supreme. Court judge
and have abearing under the new law. and
Detective Shaw left Tor Boston with her on
the 4:05 train.