The herald., 1895-07-30
AFTER UNCLE JIMMY SYKES
The Citizens Of Garavanza and Neiphbor.
hood Aroused
He Won the Heart Of an Old Maid and Then
Tilted Her-Baggett, Also Victim,
Tells the Story

Uncle Jimmy Sykes as he is known
among the sporting element OF Los An.
geles AID also to some extent by the po.
lice force of this city, is much in demand
by several citizens of Garvanza. Several
peculiar stories have been circulated of
late regarding this somewhat notorious
gentleman, and in order to get at the
truth OF the matter a Herald reporter Wis.
tied the little city among the hills yes
terday afternoon.
The particular story in question is rath-
er rich and racy. even from reportorial
standpoint. and the affections of an ell
derly maiden lady are very much in
volved by the recital. Uncle Jimmy
Sykes was visitor at Garvanza about
three years ago, and the story of his pee.
ulations is related by native who says
that he is rather desirous, if anything. to
renew his acquaintance with Monsieur
Sykes. BaGgett is the name CT this indi-
vidual, who is mem ber OF the Salvation
Army. following the drum and tambou-
rine on Sunday and Illuminating on the
sins OF the iniquitous Sykes during the
remainder of the week.
sykes came here said he 10 The
Herald man. some three years ago and
stOPpcu At my Ilc SuNo Oub buaL
he was very wealthy and wished TO invest
in Garvanza property. On his arrival he
gave my wife bulky bundle. which he
said contained large amount of money.
He then visited the neigh hbors in search
of an unwary hayseed whom he could
fleece.
''Of course, OH his fist appearance, we
welcomed him rather warmly, for he
seemed sincere in his endeavors to PR
chase property, and was well educated
and fine poken. He examined n good
deal of property curing his short stay
and agreed to purchase much OF it. These
deals closed, he began to invade the
realm of society and made ardent love to
an elderly maiden lady who was visiting
my house. named Jane Mase. The course
of love in this instance ran extrAordina-
rily smooth. and IN few days the
ubiquitous Sykes announced his engage
ment and approaching marriage with
this woman.
HE then concluded to give little par
ty. and with my consent invited large
number of neig bit bors to the house. When
they had all assembled he was seized with
a fit OF generosity and after stating that
he was a man of wealth and property. he
declared that he was about to give each Il
sum of money as a token OF his esteem.
This was TO be given them at future
gathering that came off in the same
place week later.
sykes went to my vile Just before
this meeting and asked for the bundle of
money that he had entrusted to her and
when the guests arrived he handed each
an envelope, which he declared contained
the stipulated present.. During the even
ing he loft the room. and that is the last
we ever saw of him. He had no bag
gage, and all that was left was the worth
less papers and iny unrecejpted board
bill. The guests found within their en-
veopes pieces of blank paper, and Sykes
betrothed returned to Bakersfield.
sykes borrowed some S75 from me be-
fore skipping. and also made contract
with my son-in-law for the purchase OF a
good sized ranch near Garvanza. We are
on the lookout for the impostor. and
The Herald will certainly do much good
by informing the public of his deceitfuI
waysn