RED INDIAN “PRINCE”

Evening Star, Issue 18919, 18 April 1925, Page 22

RED INDIAN “PRINCE”

AMAZING STQnV OF FRAUD Public interest in Italy lias been excited bv tho extraordinary and romantic adventure of an alleged Indian Prince, who, alter visiting in groat pomp Borne, Florence, Naples,’Venice, and Turin, and causing curiosity by distributing banknotes to boys In (lie streets, ended by being arrested in Switzerland and taken to prison at Bcliinzona. for alleged hotel debts in Xeuchalel (writes the London ' Daily Telegraph’s ’ Borne correspondent). Tho Italian Press, is giving an account fit his wonderful doings for the past five months, mixed him up with all sorts of fantastic personages, and attributed to him indiscrim’.lately tho qualities of an Indian Prince and a Bedskin chieltian, the alleged head <>f the While Elk tribe. Most astounding revelations b-ave now been made, ami it is declared that an old Austrian family of the very highest nobility wa- deceiv'd even more than the public and the Press. The person so deluded is slated to bo tho Countess Antoinette Olga Khcvenlmller-Mctsch, who wiieii with her mother, the Countess Melanie, and her brother, Count, George, met. the .alleged Prince in Nice and was fascinated by his apparent qualities mid wealth. Ho appeared lo bo exceedingly refined and attractive, and the mother end brother were likewise deceived, 'Che alleged Prince, whose latest name is given in tho prison at Bellin/.ona. as Edgar La Plante, born in Connecticut, soon after making the noble family's acquaintance, in Nice confided lo them his sudden pecnI)hilV embarrassment. They thereupon advanced to him in different .sums a total of 1,1 DO.OOO Italian lire (about £8.6901. Some say (be loans amounted to live limes licit, sum. In Italy he wore a picturesque costume, a kind of helmet, with four high plumes, vaguely resembling an Indian

-limps headgear, long earrings, at (ached round the ear by a cord, a short tight grey wa;slcoat,, long black trou.mrs like tie.so of a Mexican, with plumes along tla, ;<ims, and he was taken lor an auIheiittc Bed Indian chief. lie von removed in many towns with groat, demons! ra I ion as a personage <,l distinction. Last duly he was in Plume, where the town invited hint to preside at O great public function, and tin? band played fotue, sort, of American air, supposed lo bo the Bed Indian national anthem. In Bail, iiiieen days later, the mayor, tbo town councillors, and the commander ot the Fascist militia, with a band went lo meet him. (In his landing from t!m boat, (he mayor delivered an address of welcome, to which (he alleged Prince replied with great dignify, dedaring that he was an admirer of Signor Mussolini, and would ask to become a- Fascist in Borne. In Jhe Fa cruel City be visited St. Peter's in bis marvellous costume, and applied for an audience of the Pope, trout whom, it appears, he, received a picture, with a special dedication and the Apostolic blessing. The money lie spent was apparently all obtained from the noble Austrian family, who eventually invited him lo their castle in Cahimhia, and entertained him as the fiance of the (’oiintess Antoinette Olga. He had the use of their horses ami motor cars, and when louring about with Fount George and his Sister he often spoke of their castle as ‘‘my chateau, ■’ to which thev did not object. Ihe “ Prince” appeared to have landed in Europe from the I’idled States with an engagement Irom some kinema firm. In Belgium he first appeared as an Indian chief and lecturer, and created a !Ufore. At. Nice he abo became noted, but the climax of Ills celebrity was reached in Italy. Unfortunately for him, his money gave out. He fell ill in Turin, and was for some time in a hospital. Then lie went to Switzerland, and in Nciichalel a hotelkeeper not convinced of his princely quality, denounced him, am! (he career of fin ” Prince’’ came tn an end in prison at Bcliinzona. Here Countess Antoinette aitd her brother Ueorge, out of pity, visited him, and sought to pav Lis remaining hotel bills, and tried to save him from prosecut ion. The alleged Prince says he took part in the war,’ and was three limes wounded, which seems partly continued. The Swiss authorities have decided simply lo expel hint from Swilzerl.a mi.