The San Francisco call., 1897-11-04
WOOED BUT TO SWINDLB
John Woods Brought Mrs. Jen-
ME Wright to the City and
Robbed Her.
He and His Brother Charles Ar
rested on a Charge of Grand
Larceny.

Mrs Jennie Wright, blooming widow
Of Redding, Shasta County, and the owner
of mining and real estate property there,
has been the victim of TWO confidence
men. one OF whom trifed with her affec-
tions.
In April last John Woods made the &C
ouaintance of the widow in Reddlng by
offering to purchase q horse and buggy
from her. He represented himself as a
commercial traveller for a clothing house
and said lie wanted the rig TO drive around
the country. The widow refused to sell
the rig and after few hours conversation
with her he departed, promising to pay
her visit on his return trip.
About ten days ago Woods again called
upon The widow and at once proceeded to
insr atate himself in her good gTaces. He
was successful and was invited to call
Igain. He did so several times and
wound up by offering the widow his heart
and hand The widow bluShingly ac-
cepted the cffer. The next day Woods
told the widow that he WAS little snort
IF money and she gave him $50 10 buy a
luit of clothes for their marriage Then
he suggested that she should deed her
property in Reddlug, consisting OF an in
terts in a mine and some building lots, to
him, but she thought that would not be
right and instead transferred them to her
daughter.
Woods objected to being married in
Redding, and the widow agreed to come
to this city. They srrlved Tuesday morn
ing. and registered at the Russ House.
The widow spent the day in making ar
rangemenIs for the wedding, which was
to take place AT o'clock.
When the hour for the wedding ar
rived" said the widow yesterday. Charles
WOODS. who represented himself as a
brother of my intended husband, rushed
into my room and asked me TO excuse
Woods for few moments, as he had 10
20 down the street to attend TO some min
ing affairs. | couldn't refuse him, so he
went out and was gone an hour or more.
When he returned be said it was too late
tor the wedding, as 1t was impossible to
secure a license. and l believed him.
After l retired for the night Woods
came to nv room and demanded that
give him what money [ had IN my posses
sion. l began 10 suspect him, and refused
to accede TO his demand. He got terribly
excited, and, LOCKING the door of the
room, forced me to give up my purse,
containing $500 in greenback which he
cut out of my dress pocket. He kept me
locked IL the room all night, threatening
to kill me with knife If l made an out
cry. He admitted then that he was a
swindler, and that he had formed my
acquaintance only to swIndle me. He
said be had been a swindler for twenty
years, and his brother helped him.
Mrs. Wright yesterday morning sug-
ge>ted TO Woods that as he had got all
her money and she had played the dupe
he and his bother should go with her
10 the Cliff House and have = good time
before she went back to Redding. Woods,
believing her, allowed her 10 leave the
room. She Immediately notified Colonel
Young, proprietor of the hotel. He went
to the room and there found Woods and
his bro her, Charles, VINO had called
meantime. He kept them there until
Policemen Walsh and Farrell arrived, and
10th men were taken 10 police head
quarters, wnere they were questioned by
Detective Gibbs, ard Woods ad mitted
that he had agreed to marry the widow
simply TO obtain POSSESSION OF her money.
When searched $3.50 in bills was found on
Woods.
The widow swore to complaint in
Judge Lows court charging both men
with grand larceny, and they were booked
at the Cirv Prison, their bonds being
fixed at $4,000 each. Charles Woods is
known to the police under the name of
Raymond.
Mrs. Wright will remain in the city to
prosecute the case