"MRS MILLIONAIRE."
POLICEMAN'S WIFE WHO POSES
AS LADY WILSON.
An amazing slory of fraud was told at Olerkenwell Sessions, last mentb, agoinst Ellen Bignall, a stout lady of fifty, who passed as "Lady" Wilson.
Many instances were cited in proof of her fraudulent ingenuity. Sha called with her maid at the house of Mrs Charlotte Thompson, ia Great College street, Camden Town.
Heieshe spun a yarn about her great wealth and exalted social rank. She had also "Scottish estates," and one place, Regent's Park ; her standing counsel was "Sir Horace Avory of Temple Court and she produced what she described as a dividend warrant on the Bank of England for £500.
She had also "Scottish estates," and one day took her landlady to interview "Sir Horace" about them. He greeted her as she said as "Mr 3 Millionaire," and asked what she was going to do with ''that little family," meaning the landlady's children. "I told him I had settled a fortune on each,., said "Lady Wilson"
From the Thompsons she borrowed £G0 alao running up a bill of £17 12* for eleven weeks' board and lodgings. Then she disappeared. Months aftewards 'Lady Wilson', visited Mile End Infirmary, and assured the chaplain, the Rev Mr Botheroyd, that she wished to dispose of her great wealth. She had a will made out ia the following terms :— £ To the Rev Mr Botheroyd, for establishing two convalescent homes - 40,000 To the Rev Mr Botheroyd, for division among charitable societies , 100.000 To the Rev Frederick John Hobbins, Stepney Green ... 10,000 To the Church Missionary * Society 10,000 To the Church Pastoral Aid Society 10,000 To the Indigent Blind Society 10,000 To the Rf:V Frederick "William Botherojd, for the benefit of the deaf and dumb ... ... 8 000 During the hearing of the evidence " Lady Wilson laughed almost hilariously, especially when the police proved that she was the wife of a Tottenham local policeman, who left her for America. Mr Loveland -Lovetend sent "Lady Wilson" to eighteen months hard labour.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT19010830.2.24
Bibliographic details
West Coast Times, Issue 12002, 30 August 1901, Page 4
Word Count
333"MRS MILLIONAIRE." West Coast Times, Issue 12002, 30 August 1901, Page 4
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