New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-10
THE WIDOW READY TO SHOOT
RESCUED FROM A GREEN-GooDs GANG.
SHE OAME FROM KENTUCKY ARafED WITH Nouo
THRIFT AND A BIG COLTS REVOLVER.


Ky. Her husband died ten years ago and left
her big legacy OF debts seventy yacre farm
and eight children. The farm is one of the best
in that neighborhood, but Mr.. Conrad's attention
was 50 much given to politics and the practical
demonstration Of the supremacy Of the white man
III the South that the timothy and clover were
choked to death by stnbble and weeds and tho
live stock wandered away to green fields and
pastures elsewhere, leaving the farm desolate and
parc' Mrs. Conrad mourncd for her husband.
but ct the same time set diligently to work to
clear the farm of debts and weeds, She was then
thirty years old and the future looked dark and
unpromising.
MIS- Conrad is small woman, with square
Jaw, muscular features and wiry body. When
her husband died she jumped into his boots, seized
the farming tools and did more work on the
farm in week than he ever did in month Tho
older children helped their mother and in q few
years the farm was blooming and well stocked
again. The debts were paid of and Mrs Conrad
began-to save money. There was not much money
to lay up, however, from the seventy acre farm
after all the children had got share of the pro-
ceeds. but Mrs. Conrad was economical and every
year a little was added to the bank account. Sew
eral OF the children got married and brought
their wives 10 the farm TO live, and when the
grandchildren began to arrive, the family became
larger and more lively and interesting.
Mrs. Conrad sought diversion from her family
cares in the church and Sunday school, and thero
was always stir as she walked into the church on
Sunday at tile head Of her big family. She was
power in the prayer-meeting. and as an exhorter
had few equals in the community Mrs. Conrad
on weekdays was shrewd woman and could get
more cloth, sugar and coffee for dozen eggs and
bushel Of wheat in trade at country store
han <Ic~x
In swapping horses and sheep she could give points
to the sharpest Kentuclgian, and no one was ever
heard to say that they got the best Of the bar
gain in trading with her.
A few weeks ago the calm and industrious
Conrad household was thrown into state of pro-
found agitation by the receipt of letter from
Walter Willard. None of the family was ac-
quainted with Mr.. Willard. but from the promises
that were made in the letter they felt that he
must be dear friend of their deceased parent.
In the letter Mr.. Willard took the family into his
confidence, and after strictly cautioning them to
keep the revelation secret, disclosed scheme
whereby they could obtain large amount Of
money for small outlay. The figures were
$4,000 for $780," and the denominations were
So, $40 and $50, according to TASTE
The family seemed to be in another world over
the brilliant prospect, and each member had a
suggestion as to the best way to dispose of tho
fortune. 1t was finally agreed to buy the sd-
joining farm and go into stock-raisng on large
SCALE Mr.. Willard wrote that he could give =
large number of banks as reference If his honesty
was questioned, and this settled the matter. In
order that there might be mistake in delivering
the green goods" Mr.. Willard insisted that some
member Of the family should come to New-York
and get the ARTICLES" The arrangement finally
made was that the meeting should take place at
Newark, N. j.
The Conrads had long consultation over the
question of the best one to be sent to meet Mr..
Willard, and after several tic votes Mrs Conrad
was unanimously selected One of the heirlooms
left by the deceased Conrad was a Colts navy
revolver. This was oiled and repaired, and for
week or more Mrs. Conrad practised daily at a
knothole in the fence, and as none of the balls
could be found after the shooting, it was supposed
that they all went through the hole. When her
expertness with the weapon satisfied the family,
$500, the savings of years, was taken from the
bank, and the final preparations were made for
the journey to the land of green goods and
happiness. The entire Conrad family and some OF
the neighbors of curiosity, for the secret had
been we'll kept went with Mrs Conrad to the rail-
way station and waved fearful farewells as the
train pulled out at l3 last Friday morning.
The journey was an anxious one for Mrs Conrad.
moment by robbers. She could not sleep. She
kept one hand on her breast where the money
was hidden, and the other ON the big pistol ,iil "
her pocket. She did not reach Newark until
late Saturday afternoon. She was exhausted
and nervous after the long vigil, but her spirits
were revived when tall man, elegantly dressed,
Es"Sns se was Mr. Willard he secret kilograms whioh
had passed between the parties for the purpose
Willard being satisfied that everything was oil
right, train was taken for this city.
On the way Mr. Willard a was talkatave: laS and d
churches that he had built with the profits of bus
banking system, and assured her that she
Be the right kind Of Mrs she
was delighted with Mr.. Willard, who when tho
train reached Jersey City took her arm IKE
true gallant and escorted her 70 tne nppes na.
brosses-st Here he asked Mrs. Conrad whether
she preferred gold or green goods, and she
replied "gold every time. They LEFT the ferry-
boat arm in arm. and were stepping into cab
II laid u upon on the shoulder Of Mr.. willard. and
Detective Aoncle whispered to him that Inspector
aSarters. s ars bot Both Mr.. willard and Mrs Conrad
were surprised and protested against the un.
welcome interference with then Scnsmei .;. nue
there was no alternative, anu the cao was oIi'on
to Headquarters. .
Detectives Aloncle and Jacobs, who were witt
ing at the ferry for thief recognized M1 wv; W.
w
and confidence man. and knew from his cautious
movements that he had a victim for the green;
goods" factory. Mrs. Conrad was searched eno
the revolver was taken from her, as well as the
$500. $50 She refused to talk about her reason for
coming to this city, and Willard would not an;
swer any questions. Mrs. Conrad was detained
as a witness Yesterday she called for Bible.
and after reading few passages became moro
communicative and told Inspector Byrnes the
whole story She quoted many passages Of Script
ure during the recital, and said that the whole
population Of Brookville would testify to her
honesty.
She was surprised to learn how near she came
IN being swindled out of her $500, and said that
II she had known what Willard was she would
have shot him through the heart II he had noe
kent his agreement. This is the first time that
a Woman has been caught by the green goods'
swindlc so far as appears on the police records
The prisoners will be taken to the Tombs shas
morning.
AN TyvDrERATE SMOKER AT FOUR AND dAtS'
Trentou N L. Nov q tSpeciaD. Winfield Scott Han