In 1880, a gentleman by the name of George Pettit arrived in Warsaw, New York and worked as a tailor. He met and fell in love with a young lady by the name of Minnie Fox; however, the parents did not approve which resulted in the pair eloping. She scooted out the bedroom window and the pair arrived in Olean, New York where they got married.
They became boarders of
the Duttons – Oscar & Ester and being of the same age range of their daughter, became fast friends with 19 year old Iola, spending many hours
together visiting and playing cards.
One day in September of
1880, Iola went missing!
It was reported
that she had told someone that she was going to Rock City
for a friend’s wedding but she didn't pack any
clothes or take any money?
Her parents were of
good standing and modest means – all three had a good reputation in the
community; therefore, it was only logical that she had been abducted.
The truth was more titillating!
As reported in the
Monday edition of The Sun, Oct 11, 1880, George Pettit was a
bigamist and was in jail in Jamestown, NY after being arrested on his third
honeymoon with one Iola Dutton!!
George Pettit was actually George Parker of Auburn, NY. Not being happy with his first wife, he abandoned her and became the Mr Pettit who married Minnie Fox. After running out of money, he convinced Minnie to go home and beg her parents for help. Once gone, George & Iola snuck off to Salamanca, NY to marry and were in Jamestown when the Cattaraugus Co officers found him!
As reported in the
Monday edition of The Sun, Oct 11, 1880, George Pettit was a
bigamist and was in jail in Jamestown, NY after being arrested on his third
honeymoon with one Iola Dutton!!George Pettit was actually George Parker of Auburn, NY. Not being happy with his first wife, he abandoned her and became the Mr Pettit who married Minnie Fox. After running out of money, he convinced Minnie to go home and beg her parents for help. Once gone, George & Iola snuck off to Salamanca, NY to marry and were in Jamestown when the Cattaraugus Co officers found him!
Iola returned home on the 13th of October.
Iola's mother Ester was the daughter
of David Cooper and Nancy Peck. Nancy,
the daughter of Joseph Peck and Phebe Vincent, was the grand-daughter of Capt
Jeremiah Vincent (wife u/k).
Ester died 2 Apr 1901
and her obituary in the deaths section of The Post from Ellicottville, 10 Apr
1901 simply stated “Mrs Oscar Dutton of Olean, Apr 2, aged 64 years”.
A little saga for a family of three!
Newpapers
The Sun, New York, NY, 11 Oct 1880 – “George Parker’s Wives”
The Evening Telegram, New York, NY, 13 Oct 1880, pg 3, col 3
The Post, Ellicottville, NY, Wed, 10 Apr 1901 – Mrs Oscar Dutton’s Obit
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