The Mistaken William Dunlevy - 1877

The Mistaken William Dunlevy

Bainbridge Republican, February 3, 1877

 

Mr. Editor --In the Chenango Telegraph under date of January 13, 1877, I notice the following article: 

 

"Most of our older citizens will remember William Dunlevy, a young law student of this village who became notorious for high and lofty feats of pilfering, unequalled even in the annals of the most expert rogue.  For instance he married a young lady of fine attainments and of good parentage.  Desiring to support her in style he took a good house on Hayes street in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] and in a short time after invited his bride to go with him to inspect its appointments.  To her surprise she found it completely equipped with carpets, furniture, cook-stove, provision, flour, etc. etc., everything in readiness for housekeeping.  thus they settled in life, and for awhile everything went swimmingly along.  Several of our merchants however, soon began to find that some of their goods were missing, and examination showed that pretty near all our merchants, hardware dealers, cabinet makers, grocers, etc., has been contributing through his deft management to the furnishing of his house.  B. Slater secured the services of officer Harry Keeler and visited the house and found several carpets that he had missed, made up and on the floors of the house, also lace curtains, cloths, clothing, etc.  Other dealers followed and soon the house was despoiled of its fine furniture by the rightful owners. Dunlevy was sent to prison.  After serving his time, we believe he was again sent from Binghamton.  Now we notice that the Grand Jury at Biddford, Maine, last week, indicted the same William Dunlevy as we are informed, who now hails from New York, for forgery.  How long he will get this time remains to be seen.  Surely thus far the life of the quiet and seemingly well disposed law student has been a checkered one."

 

I also learn that there was a similar article in the Union, and in order to rectify such a bold mistake, I take the liberty of addressing you the facts of the case.  Mr. William Dunlevy, formerly of Norwich, and the one referred to in the commencement of the above article, died at Rochester, N.Y., on the 22d of February, 1869, and was interred in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY] section M., lot 488, and I was present at his burial.  It seems too bad that after Mr. Dunlevy has been laid away to his final rest so long, that his memory should be brought up again connected with forgery.  The item is certainly very harassing to his immediate friends.  Your etc., Stephen Fletcher.