|
Misc Stories BY EPHRAIM S. WILLIAMS
Rumsey then went from there to the "Corners, " and you know his wife died there. In 1818 he bought wheat at 31 cents a bushel, had it floured at the Tomlin-son Mills, and shipped to Albany by a six horse team. The next winter, 1818, he bought pork
at Canadea and packed it. Rodney Taylor helped him cut and pack it, and send it to Albany. In this way he became acquainted with Trotter & Co., the firm in Albany who bought his pork, and who sent him S3, 000 to buy cattle with. He advertised for the farmers to bring in their cattle on specified days at the center of Bethany and Stafford, but he failed to appear. Some time before this his wife and he had become acquainted with Ann Sprague, a grass widow of prepossessing attractions. Now, Rumsey, after receiving the $3, 000, went with Ann Sprague to Canada with his pockets full of money. After getting there he found, if caught in that country, it would be worse for him than if caught in the states; hence, he now starts for Michigan. A young lawyer in Batavia got wind of his movements, and went to Albany. Trotter came back with him, and they pursued and found Rumsey, and took him to Albany, leaving Ann in old Gen. Isaiah Churchill's home. On reaching Albany the matter was personally arranged, and Rumsey came back to Bethany. Soon after this he was rearrested, taken to Albany, and locked up again. Esquire Churchill went to Albany, and Rumsey, who owned the Taylor farm at the time, turned that out, which, with Churchill's security, released him. After this he lived with Ann Sprague as his wife.
Public opinion was so strong against both him and his wife that they pulled up and went to Michigan.
Capt. Taylor, an old man now in his eightieth year, and from whom Mr. Peck got most of this sketch of Walker Rumsey's early life, says that Ann Sprague was a smart, fine looking woman, had lived in his home and was ¦ kind in caring for Mrs. Taylor while she was sick with the dropsy.
Michigan
Page 17
|
|
Please consider making a donation to help offset expenses to keep this site online.
Thank you
|
