It was in the fall of 1892 that a young woman named Phaley married a man named Thompson and took up residence with him and his father on their property near West Hurley, N.Y. In June of the following year, however, though the source of the problem has since been lost, something Phaley did greatly displeased her new husband. When the husband spoke of the matter to a friend named Lewis a short while later, Lewis, sensing Thompson’s dissatisfaction with his wife of less than a year, offered to buy her. Adjourning to a local inn, Lewis and Thompson, over a drink of hard cider, agreed on a deal and the purchase price of forty-five cents.
Upon his return home, Thompson informed his wife of the arrangement he had struck. As the story is told, young Phaley is said to have had no objection to her husband’s entrepreneurial efforts and, in fact, was quite pleased with the transaction. So it was, the very next day, that Thompson delivered his wife to Lewis at his home in Sawkill.
Over the next few days, however, the newly minted bachelor appears to have had second thoughts. Returning to the Lewis home the following Saturday, Thompson attempted to persuade Phaley to return. She refused. In fact, not only was the young Phaley quite content with the new arrangement, but took to scolding her “former” husband for attempting to back out of a deal. “You got your forty-five cents and I ain’t going back!” was her final response to his pleas.
Arriving home, Thompson informed his father what had happened and that Phaley would not be returning.
Traveling to Kingston a short time later, the father was seen in search of a lawyer, hoping to compel Phaley’s return by force of law.
