A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS

Evening Star, Issue 10398, 20 August 1897, Page 4

A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS

AND HIS REMARKABLE CAREER.

HOW HE HOAXED SAN FRANCISCO.

fFuOM Oci>, Sraci.M, CORRESPONDENT.)

London, July 10. Ouo of the most interesting and remarkable of our Jubilee visitors, and a gentleman well known in Australia (as in other parts of world), left town yesterday for Her Majesty’s establishment at Dartmoor, where, for the next ten years, he will bo the nation’s guest. Prior to departure this celebrity, who has recently been known as Colonel Hay alias Charles Bertrand alias Lord Ashburton, had a protracted interview with Sir Peter Edlin at the Old Bailey. The discussion bore reference to some cheques (alleged to have been forged and uttered) and to a stolen bracelet, but really these were details. The truly interesting moment arrived when, Hay’s connection with the altered cheques having been proved to the satisfaction of twelve dispassionate gentlemen present, Inspector Arrow gave a suceint account of his remarkable, his almost unique career. Said the Inspector: Bertrand, whose aliases can be counted by the hundred, was born in 1845 at Totnes, in Devonshire, where his father carried on the business of a timber merchant. After being at a small school he was sent in 1861 to Eton, whore he remained a few years. He showed a remarkable aptitude for figures and penmanship, and on leaving college received some lessons in engraving. In 1855 Bertrand—whose real name is said to be Griffs—obtained an appointment in the Bank of England, and the following year went with an official of the Bank to China. After visiting Shanghai, Bertrand left the service of the Bank, and with the salary due to him paid his passage to New York. It was from this point that his extraordinary career of crime dates. In New York ho met some gambling friends, and his knowledge of engraving and banking was soon put to use, and many millions of dollars’ worth of forged notes were passed all over America, The police were defied, save with one or two exceptions, until 1874, when Bertrand quarrelled with his confederates, and came to England. He had succeeded in accumulating 90,000d01. For two years Bertrand had a fine time of it in this country. lie lived in lavish style, although there was hardly a town in which he was not “wanted.” How he successfully eluded the police is illustrated in the following incident. In March, 1376, he was in Liverpool, intending to go back to America, bunds were low, and be made a desperate attempt to obtain a bill of exchange drawn on Lloyd’s Banking Company. He fell into the hands of the police, but at the station tpld such a plausible tale, which he substantiated by certain bonds and documents about him, that the police believed that they had made a mistake. Bertrand was released, and within a few hours was on a steamer bound for America. In New York Bertrand was soon at work again. He was concerned in the robbery of an actress’s jewellery, but it is said his discharge was arranged by his former friends for a few thousand dollars. His next venture was a scheme to flood America and Canada with forged letters of credit and circular notes on the Union Bank of London. Money was supplied him for the purpose. The paper on which the notes and letters were printed was obtained in London. Bertrand did tho engraving and litbo work, and turned it out in a truly marvellous manner. In July, 1878, everything was ready. The gang had six letters of credit. One was for £54,000, with circular notes of £lO to £SOO • another for £43,000; two others for £20,000 and £6,000; and two for £I,OOO each-in all .••ome £197,000. Bertrand was allowed to have the letter for £54,000 in return ior his work. In August the six members of the gang left New York, each taking a different route. Bertrand went west. He travelled as “Lord Ashburton,” and did the thing in lordly style. Bankers, jewellers, and hotel proprietors were bis victims, while mayors, chief constables, sheriffs, and millionaires bowed down to him. All were ready to entertain him. His plausible manner won them to him. In San Francisco a public reception, attended by all the officials, was given in his honor. The town was also illuminated. He was voted a most charming gentleman, and the speech he made after the toast of his health was described in the local newspapers as being “that of a true-born lord, full of literary reference, and a matchless example of pure English eloquence.” San Francisco paid dearly for its admiration, as spurious circular notes, bonds, and other valueless documents, amounting to nearly £25,000, were collectable after “ Lord Ashburton ” saw fit to make tracks. For some time Bertrand succeeding in pursuing his career unchoquered. As “Lord Ashburton ” he managed to induce a celebrated Boston beauty to transfer her affection for a wealthy stockbroker to himself, and after going through a marriage ceremony the two stayed at various hotels as “Lord and Lady Ashburton.” Subsequently Bertrand found it more convenient to drop the title and travel incog, as plain Mr Smith. By the irony of fate, it was in San Francisco, where he had been foted, that Bertrand at last fell into the hands of the police. For twenty months he lay in prison awaiting triaL In 1880 he was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. Three years later he was released, the medical officers of the prison being of opinion that the convict was dying of consumption. For some years Bertrand lay low. In 1893 he was back in London, staying at the Hotel Metropole. He was lounging in the vestibule one afternoon, when Mr btudebaker, the Chicago millionaire, entered. Rising quickly, he seized this gentleman by the hand, and, shaking it heartily, exclaimed; “Mr Stndebaker, this is an unexpected pleasure. I haven’t seen you since your brother Clem took me down to South Bend and showed me all through your works. You remember, of course, Griffiths, of the Standard Oil Company V The millionaire did not plead ignorance, and after this, whenever he was available, Bertrand would be seen in his company. His fame in London spread accordingly. He was introduced to the millionaire’s friends, and at the country seat of one of these he swindled his host of £IOO and cleared off to New York. He was soon back again in London. Hia mst victim was a publican named Willett, but he was caught, and Sir Peter Edlin sentenced him to three and a-lialf years’ imprisonment. He was released in March last, and besides tho charges upon which he was convicted yesterday Bertrand was also wanted for other offences. He lias been swindling many’ of the West End hotels in the guise of a wealthy Jubilee visitor.