A VERY NICE YOUNG MAN! 1860

FERGUSON, SMITH, BEADLE, DAVIS

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 7/24/2016 at 12:51:02

Dubuque Herald, Jan. 7, 186

A VERY NICE YOUNG MAN! - A day or two since, we gave a very brief account of a sham marriage perpetrated by a young man who called himself George Ferguson, upon a Miss Emma Beadle, a girl in the service of Mr. Smith, living out some three miles, on the Catfish.

It will be recollected that Ferguson went to the girl on Sunday before New Years, and represented himself as just from California, where, he stated, that he was intimately acquainted with her brother. He made good use of his time, for the next day they were married.

How long he would have remained at Mr. Smith's, in the enjoyment of his new bliss, unless he had been disturbed, is not known. But he had hired a team at a livery establishment in town, the proprietor of which becoming alarmed at his prolonged absence, drove out on Tuesday to Mr. Smith's. Ferguson, thereupon hitched up, drove into town bringing his bride and Mrs. Smith with him. They “put up” at the Julien House, and Ferguson went out to put out his team, since which time, so far as his bride is concerned, he has not been non est inventus.

Day before yesterday the Sheriff of Walcott County, Wis., passed through town in search of a man named Davis. Davis, it appears, has been on a matrimonial trip up in Walcott County, and has also indulged in divers speculations. He has been able to trace him up through the state of Wisconsin, and has found within the last three weeks he has married no less than four wives, besides committing several robberies of greater or less magnitude. His description of Davis immediately identified him with Ferguson beyond a shadow of a doubt.

We also learn that Davis or Ferguson – or whatever his real name is, for both are aliases – stole a dress coat and pants of Mr. Smith, which were not missed until too late. He is described as a young man of a little above medium size, broad forehead, light complexion, light hair, with a small goatee, a bold open countenance. On the wrist of one of his arms are several letters, hieroglyphics, &c., among which are a pistol and dagger crossed, all put in with indelible ink. He has been within a very short time liberated from some State's prison.

He is evidently a villain of the boldest stamp, and it is to be hoped now that the Sheriff now after him will be successful in his search.