The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-11

Lexington, JUNE 5.-The Lexington
Dispatch OF this morning publishes a
remarkable story Of more than crGi-
nary human interest about a man who
left this county seven years ago under
a charge of forgery, was later reported
dead, and returned last week TO find
his wife married to another man
The returned citizens name is John
w. Davis. He is a native of the ccun-
ty and eight years ago conducted a
farm and distillery in Hampton town.
ship. Eight years ago he was married
to Miss Hattie Reed. daughter OF the
late David H. Reed, whose family num-
bers some of the best people Of the
county.
Seven years ago Davis was charged
with having forged the name of w.
A. Bailey. then a wealthy distiller Of
Advance. now in Danville, Va. in The
liquor business. He is charged with
having forged Bailey's name to a note
for 5000 which was cashed by another
man at the Wachovia Bank in Win
ston-Salem. Bailey later disclainieG
having endorsed the paper, and the
bank lost the money. The grand jury
found a true bill ,itissaid, and Davis
then left for parts unknown.
Perhaps unequal to the task of in
forming his wife Of his trouble, he
said he was only going away to trade
horses awhile, and wrote a note, it is
said, leaving it in the flour barrel at
such a depth that it would not be CHS
covered for several days. until the
family used the -four down to the note
It fell out as he is supposed to ave
planned, and nothing was known Of
his whereabouts until months after.
wards a letter was received. For about
II rear following his departure Mrs.
Davis received letters from him, and
then all communication ceased.
Just four years ago a Davidson coun-
ty mar in the west wrote home, say
ing he had read in a San Francisco
paper that John w. Davis was drown
ed. This account was published in
The Dispatch at the time and was &C
cepted as true. Nothing further was
heard from Davis.
Mrs. Davis. devoted to her husband, |
lived a blameless life and worked
hard for a living, sewing here at rs
home Of Mr.. and Mrs. Robt. Biesecx er.
Finally she brought herself to the
conclusion already reached by every
body else. that her husband was dead, !
again, her husband being MI. Joseph
Ridenhour, then of Salisbury, now of
Norwood.
John W. Davis was being swiftly |
forgotten when 10, he showed I'D last
week, to the establishment of all who
remembered him. He came in from
Texas with two other former Davidson
county men. Messrs. Richard Shcaf
and Robert Wagner, of Kings, Texas.
In company with Mr.. Shoaf, Davis
down to Norwood and craved
audience with Mrs. Ridenhour, who
granted it, provided Mr.. Shoaf would
be present. What transDired is not
known but it is reported that Mrs.
Ridenhour desired Mr.. Davis to leave
the country. They have one little boy
who makes his home with his mothe,
her marriage to Mr.. Ridenhour.
Where Mr.. Davis is at present is not
known. He was in that part of the
county where his old home is situated, !
a few days ago, but a report current
here yesterday was to the effect
the officers wanted him on the
Old charge of forgery, and that he had
left again.
Mrs. Ridenhour, in this cruel fate,
has the sympathy of people here, who
know her to be a most excellent wo-
man. She has been entirely innocent
and ne blame attaches to anybody on
account of the second marriage-Char-
lotte Chronicle.