Romantic Episode in the Career of a Swindler.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 280, 28 February 1881, Page 2

Romantic Episode in the Career of a Swindler.

Some eight or nine years ago, says the Toronto Globe, a man named Geo. Newbold kept a grocery in Hamilton, on James street North, and while engaged in that business managed to receive a “ call ” to preach the Gospel. Being possessed of a good deal of cheek and some ability, he succeeded in worming himself into the graces of a congregation at Bartonville, who accepted his ministrations, in connection with the M.E. church. When the Conference of that body met, however, they gave Newbold the cold shoulder. Newbold then went into the baking business in the village of Bartonville, but did not seem to have any more success in it than as a preacher. One

evening ne came into me cuy anu called at Messrs Morgan Brothers. He purchased half a ton of flour, and gave in payment a cheque on the Royal Canadian Bank (which in those days was as solid as gold), but when Messrs Morgan presented the cheque next morning there were “ no funds,” nor had there been for a week. The late Mr Robert King, baker, John street, was served in the same way. The Messrs Morgan had Newbold arrested, and he was brought before the police magistrate, and committed for trial. The late Mr S. B. Freeman did not press the charge against the prisoner, and a verdict of not guilty in the higher Court was entered. Soon after this Newbold went to the other side, leaving his wife in Hamilton, and married an old maid. For the offence of bigamy he was obliged to serve a number of

years in the State’s prison. While in Mansfield, Ohio, he met Rev. Mi Gilray in a grocery store, and they had some words, concerning certain stories which Newbold had circulated to Gilray’s detriment. The upshot was that Newbold gave the rev. gentleman a thrashing, and brought down upon his head the indignation of the residents of that town, who gave him just so long in which to leave, and he paid due attention to the injunction. Since then Newbold has been back and forward between the United States and Canada, spending a goodly portion of the time in gaol. Newbold, we see by a despatch from Bellville, has been distinguishing himself again. While in gaol in that town the wife of the gaoler, who was matron of the institution, fell in love with him, and at the close of his term of imprisonment for obtaining goods under false pretences, ran off with him, leaving her husband, Mr Meyers, in a frightful state of mind. She returned to Brookville and wrote her daughter, who, on joining her there at her request, found her living with Newbold, and returned alone, despite her entreaties that she should join her. The parties are well connected, conseouently the sensation created by the affair is all the greater. Previous to this unfortunate occurrence the conduct of Mrs Meyers had been above reproach.