The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-12-14
Mrs. Chadwick by Fraud Obtains
Million.

That a woman born in comparative OBJ
security, and possessing none Of the womanly
charms which attract and allure the stern
sex could by fraud and forgery hoodwink the
shrewdest f1nanciers and amass millions,
Is almost Incredible. And yet this is exactly
what Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick has done. In
her career she has wrecked banks and ami
Inflated private fortunes, most notibly per-
haps. the Oberlin Bank Of Ohio. from which
IT Is said she borrowed sums aggregating
more than three times the capital stock Of the
bank.
The loans were all based on alleged secu-
rifles amounting to over fifteen million
dollars and bearing the signature OF Andrew
Carnegie, presumably forged.
The latest sensation in the case, is the
claim of Mrs. Chadwick that she is an lille.
climate daughter OF the great fnancier,
which though most likely untrue, has It's
plausible features when the magnitude Of
her financial schemes is considered.
Mr.. Carnegie is the first witness summoned
to testify against her. She is now in prison
awaiting trial and her bond is fixed at
$l5,0C0.W which her attorneys say will be
forth coming. The following is a brief sum-
mary Of her career:
The following Is the career OF Mrs. Chad
wick as given out in Cincinnati. where she is
best known
Born in 1857, at Eastwood, Ont, one of the
eight children OF Daniel and Mary Ann Big
ley.
Arrested and tried as Elizabeth Bieley, at
Woodstock, Ont, In 1873, and acquitted of q
charge OF forgery, on the ground that she was
insane.
Appeared in Cleveland as Mrs. lydia Bigley
IN ISL. and borrowed money by m%ortgaging
her sisters furniture, under the name OF Mrs.
Alice NJ. Bestedo and other aliases.
street, OCT. 81, 1889. after surrenderlng her
clothipg to q money lender.
Eleven days later her husband, having
forced her to con ess her crooked transactions,
ordered her from his home.
Attempted. in 1888, to collect 5000 from
Springsteen as price OF separation.
Reported dead and buried, in letter to
friends in Erie. Pa, who knew her as MA.
Two months later, as Nine. La Rose, kept
-Four months later moved to GO Prospect
street ( old ,numberl.
Oct; 8. 1883, sued for divorce: DR.. Springs:
inhdelity, supported by ~afadavits OF two
men, and obtaining divorce on that ground.
In 1886 lived at boarding house Kept by Mrs.
Hoover, ct I22 Euclid avenue. calling herself
In 1887 appeared In Toledo as Nine, or Lydia
Devere, and obtained Sls,075 by forgery and
other means. using Jos. Lamb, an express
agent, as her dupe.
Jan. Is, 1890, arrested with Lamb on indict-
ments charging forgery. Liant was acquitted
on the ground that her hypnotic influence
had rendered him irresponsible. She was
convicted and sentenced TO the Columbia
penitentiary for Din years and elk months.
From 1880 TO 1893 shn was a con vict at hard
labor, sewing convict'S shirts.
y In 1898 released on parole through the
clemepcy Of Gov. William Mckinley.
In 1894. calling her elf Mrs. &. L. Hoover,
she lived at l66 Franz lin avenue (old NUMBER
with Der mother al ! sister, and a son Of
about 8 years, max! 10 herself conspicuous
DO her extravaganza.
Aug 20, 1897, about the time she was re-
leased nom respon; ,billty TO the peniten-
tiary, she married D Leroy s.. Chadwick at
Windsor, Ont.
b continued to occupy the Chadwick
homestead, at 1884 Euclid avenue, when her
husband. soon after their marriage, took his
daughter and went to live in Europe.
She obtained vast sums Of money from
unknown sources, ~squapdered vast sums in
unparalleled extravaganza, canvassed the
banks Of northern Ohio in search OF loans.
accumulated debts estimated at from 5000.
600 to 81 ,O0O. 600, and lived In luxury In the
Euclid Avenue mar Ion until Nov. 2, 1904.
the suit OF H. B. NJ vton to recover loans
of S196. 800 exposed he operations, closed the
Oberlin bank, thro ugh the president OF
which she had obtained S340, OOO. Then she
went to New York.