The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-23
MRS. HITCHCoCK's DUPEs.
Getting Money from Men Who Wanted
to Marry Her.
From the NeW York Sun.

DELHI, N. Y, Aug. 20-The arrest at
Meadville, Pa, of Seymour Hitchcock and
wife on the charge of using TIE United
States mails for purposes Of fraud, is a mat
ter of special interest in this vicinity, where
the offenders are well known, and where
they began their career of swindling. Sew
mour Hitchcock is the son OF Matthew
Hitchcock, a well-to-do and highly respect
able farmer of the town of Franklin. this
county. He grew up to be an idle but inof-
fensive young man, and is now, it is be-
lieved, the victim of an INSCRIPTIONS adj
ventures rather than of his own evil pro-
pensities.
Several years ago young Hitchcock, while
still living with his parents saw an adver-
tisement in a so-called matrimonial news
paper setting forth that young woman
wanted husband and invited correspond
ence. He wrote to the advertiser, who
proved to be Sarah Hugell, young woman
with a curious history. She rs the daugh-
ter of respectable parents living near
Smethport, Pa. When 16 years old she
made a runaway match with 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 on the strength
Of liberal drafts upon the bank account of
awealthy oil operator. When this resource
columns 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 responsibility, and she spread n
net that landed him.
After time old Mr.. Hitchcock got tired
of maintaining an idle son and gay and
extravaganza daughter-in-law, and cut off
the supplies. The clever and unscrupulous
woman was equal to the emergency
Doubtless the novel and ingenious scheme
she put in practice was suggested by her
own successful experience in matrimonial
advertising. She took her husband To
Oneonta, and from that point sent ADVERTISE
ments to Chicago and San Francisco papers.
saying that a respectable young wid wv de-
sired to hear from western gentleman of
means and good standing, with a view to mat
| rimony. She got letters by the score from
all parts of the west, and sent back ardent
replies, inclOsing the likeness of a beautiful
young woman. The deluded westerner VINO
took the bait was prevailed upon to send
costly presents, or money to pay the fare
| of his betrothed to the place where
they were to meet and marry. When
the swinders had bled their dupe TO the
utmost, they paralyzed him BY majlinos
a receipt signed Sarah Hitchcock. Der Sew
mour Hitchcock
The records of the Oneonta postoffice
show that during the two months they on
Grated there Mrs. Hitchcock received over
$500 in poStoffice money orders and nine
teen registered letters containing remit
tances in cash of unknown amounts. to-
gether with packages of jewelry, etc When
the business was at full tide they got warn
ing that an agent of the postoffice depart
ment was after them for their fraudulent
use of the mails, and they skipped out of
Oneonta, and repeated their operations at
Clean, Ashtabula, Erie, and at Meadyille.
where they came to grief at last.
When arrested, with characteristic cum.
ming and audacity, Mrs. Hitchcock at
tempted to shift the entire load of gnilt
upon her husband. She induced him 70
make a confession to the effect that he was
the chief criminal and she an UNWILLING
accomplice. The chances are that the adj
ventures will 60 scot-free, while the weak
and infatuated husband viii go to the peni-
tertiary.