Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-08-23
SLY MRS. HITCHCOCK.
NOW SHE GOT MoNEY FROM MEN WHO
wANGED TO MARRY HER.

Advertising in Matrimonial Papers for Hus-
bands She ParaIyzed Them with Re-
ceipt From Her Own Better Half After
Gettlag the Doodle.
DELHI, N. Y, August s1.--The arrest at
Meadville, Pa, of Seymour Hitchcock and
wife on the charge of using the United
States mails for purposes VI fraud, IS a
mattSr of special interest in this vicinity
where the offenders are well known, and
where they begun their career of swind
ling. Seymour Hitchcock is the son of
Matthew Hitchcock, a well-to-do and
higbly respectable farmer of the town of
Franklin, this county. He grew up to be
au idle but inoffensive young man, and is
now, it is believed, She victim of an un-
sorupulous adventures rather than of his
own evil propensities.
Several years ago young Hitchcock,
while still living with his parents, saw an
advertisement in Il SO called matrimonial
newspaper setting forth that young wo-
man wanted husband and invited CORE
spondcnce. He wrote TO the advertiser.
who proved to be Sarah Hugel, a
young woman with a curious history
She is the daughter of respectable parents
living near Smethpsrt, Pa. When six
teen years old she made arun away match
with a good-looking young fellow, who
first ill-treated and then deserted her.
For year or two following, it is said she
led a gay life oH the strength of liberal
drafts upon the bank account of a wealthy
Gil operator. When this resource failed,
she sought IA husbard through the col
umes of the matrimonial newspapers. She
is not noticeably handsome, but she is
bright and artful and of winning ways.
She quickly perceived that marriage
with young Hitchcock would bring
money and a degree Of pectauility, and
she spread Il net that landed him.
After time old Mr.. Hitchcock got
tired of maintaining Gn idle son and gay
and eXtravagant augkter-in-law. and cut
off the supplies. The clever and uuscru-
pulous woman WAS equal to the cmer-
gency. Doubtless the novel and ingen-
iouS scheme she put in practice was sug-
gested by her own successful experience
in matrimonial advertising. She took
her husband IT, 0neonta, and
from that point sent adj
vertisemeuts to Chicago and san Fran
cisco papers, saying that a respectable
young widow desired TO hear from II
Western gentleman of means and good
standing, with view to matrimony. She
got letters by the score from all parts
of the West, and sent back ardent replies,
enclosing the likeness o. beautiful young
woman. The demde' Westerner who
took the bait was prevailed upon
to send costly presents, or money to pay
where they were to meet and marry.
When the swindlers hal bled their dupe
to the utmost they pralyzed HIM by
mailing receipt sigEc Sarah Hitch
cock, per Seymour Hr-ncocll."
The records Of the Oneonta Post Oaice
show that during the two months they
operated there Mrs. Hitchcock received
over %400 in Post Office money orders
and nineteen registered letters containing
remittances in cash OF unknown amounts,
together with packages of iewelry, etc.
When the business was at full tide they
got warning that an agent OF the Post
Office Department was after them for
fraudulent use of the mails, and ,hey
skipped out of Oneonta, and repeated
their operations at Olean, Ashtabula,
Erie, and at Meadyille, where they came
TO grief at last
When arrested, with characteristic
cunning and audacity, Mrs. Hitchcock
attempted to shift the entire load of guilt
upon her husband. She induced him to
make a confession to the effect that he
was the chief criminal and she an unwill, |
ing accomplice. The chances arc that
the adventures will 20 scot free, while
the weak and infatuated husband will 90
to the penitentary.
Donation of Books to the Cambria Iron
Company's Hospital
The Directors of the Cambria Hospital
desire to return thanks to Miss Mary