I love this family's history!! These types of stories color the patterns of our lives - enrich our family narratives!
The newspaper stories had me laughing especially with the dramatic written flair of the time so links are provided at the bottom.
The newspaper stories had me laughing especially with the dramatic written flair of the time so links are provided at the bottom.
We start with a humble
fisherman captain named James William Mason and his wife Abigail Arbuckle –
Abbie was the daughter of Ole Willie Arbuckle and Mary Vincent. James and Abbie had 11
children but many of them lived anything but
humble lives!
Between aliases and misdirection, here's where the it all gets complicated and most intriguing! Let me introduce the stars....
Between aliases and misdirection, here's where the it all gets complicated and most intriguing! Let me introduce the stars....
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| Izella Mason Brown abt 1906 |
"The Widow" - an unfortunate moniker that becomes clear later - is none other than Izella Willena Mason and was a striking woman with blond hair and hazel eyes - the photo does not do her justice based on all the descriptions.
I found her in New York married to a James Pemberton Brown who was a Topographical Engineer who died in 1899.
BUT - before his death, he helped her avert jail time in 1891 when she was arrested for forgery - this is a clue to her future.
Her aliases included Mrs J W Wallace and Maria C Mason which was her sister's name. She used her daughter Lillian & a niece Mary as maids in the schemes.
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| Rueben 'Robert' C Mason abt 1919 |
Like his sister, his appearance enabled him as he was quite dapper with his brown hair, hazel eyes and fancy dress!
It was reported that he was the mastermind who orchestrated all the events.
He married a Jennit Belle Russell and had one son whose name was changed often as well.
George Allen Mason - married an Elvena Angell in 1894 at Pontiac, IL, died in California and reported that he was born in MA.
He not only promoted the imaginary "Kentucky Fuel & Alcohol Co" but also made his father-in-law the VP without his knowledge!
Two other brothers assisted on the sidelines and I believe were the 'secretaries' to Reuben mentioned in one article.
Samuel W Mason - aka Robert/Samuel on the NS censuses. Samuel, married an Irish girl named Nellie Shea in 1905 Boston. He is buried in the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY along with Izella's husband.
Joseph A Mason - married an Anna M Schneider in 1905 Manhattan and it appears they may have divorced as fast as they were married.
Sarah Mason was listed in one paper as an assistant to her sister. Sarah never married, she was the sole beneficiary of Maria's will in 1914 and returned to Nova Scotia where she passed away in 1927. Thomas began an application for naturalization in RI but he returned home as well and passed away in 1939.
This
tangled web came to light as a result of a poor decision.
As the story unravels, Izella and her best friend Bina are the center of the controversy, both being charged with larceny. When Izella met the beautiful brunette Mrs Bina (Finegan) Verrault is unclear.
However, this friendship included conspiracy when Izella & some men (perhaps Izella's brothers) helped Bina horsewhip her husband on the street in 1905 resulting in Bina giving up her home on West 73rd St. Bina's husband George T Verrault secured a warrant for the two women but in the end the case was dropped.
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| Movie Still from Harry Houdini movie "Let's Elope" |
The ruse included placing ads for 'widows' looking to find a new husband, writing stirring letters and bilking rich men for money & gifts.
The mistake was the admission into the club of one James V MaClellan who became so enthralled with Mrs Verrault that the rejection resulted in him notifying the district attorney. As the papers dug deeper, it was estimated that at least 100 men fell victim to the beautiful women.
At the same time, they investigated the brothers as a result of a Mr Bunker lodging theft charges against Reuben for stealing sea shells and an oil patent that in fact belonged to a legitimate company in Philadelphia.
The brothers promoted fake oil and lumber opportunities from near and far. Reuben milked the rich in Nova Scotia for money to finance a lumber scheme and George helped him with the Kentucky Fuel Co. They all stayed at Izella's at one time or another & helped with the syndicate - it's reported both Bina & Reuben wrote the love letters.
The papers report that a couple of brothers spent time in jail but I haven't been able to figure out who the other one(s) was - Reuben was one. And there is more to uncover such as what became of Izella, her brothers Joseph & Rueben and her daughter Lillian? Were her siblings Thomas, Sarah & Maria ever involved?
It looks like they out grew their wicked ways but ooh how wonderfully delicious the dinner table stories must have been!
Naple News, Wed, 26 Sep 1906 - "Dashing Women Operate Love Syndicate in New York"
The Evening Telegram, Thurs, 30 Aug 1906 - "Says He's Brother of Love Widow"
The New York World, Mon, 15 Feb 1909 - "New York Crook Caught Wealthy Canadians"
Bina's Story and the Horsewhipping
Izella's sister Sarah may have been involved?
Philadelphia Inquirer, Fri, 24 Aug 1906 - "Miss Brown Also Has Been To Court"
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