SWINDLER AND HIS DUPES.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4627, 7 May 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

SWINDLER AND HIS DUPES.

YOUNG LADY AMONG THE VICTIMS. STORY OF MAN WHO " OWNED BEST PART OF TIPPERARY.” One of the most extraordinary cases that had ever come into a court of law, and a revelation of the credulity of Ii uman nature. This was the comment of Mr. Robert Wallace, K.C., at London Sessions, on the frauds perpetrated by a cunning South African, who found easy dupes. Edward David Wagner, 32, described as an Army officer, who held a temporary commission in the South Staffordshire Regiment, was indicted for having obtained money by false pretences from Ernest Field, a jeweller, of Wilton-roacl, Pimlico, and from Charles Louis Pickolet. —The case, as outlined by prosecuting counsel, was that AVagncr took a small watch to Air. Field to be repaired, borrowed a small sum, and., in the course of conversation, represent ed that he was a Freemason, and could introduce Mr. Field into one of the highest Lodges of Freemasonry in tho world. On the strength of that statement, ho borrowed 55., and later said be possessed ,a large holding in the “American Lumber C 0.,” and advised Mr. Field to take shares. Reverting

to the subject of Freemasonry, he -said he would introduce Mr. Field to Sir Pieter Bam and get him initiated, as Sir Pieter was a “great man” in the craft. The result was that Mr. Field advanced prisoner money to go to Tipperary, of which, according to Wagner, Sir Pieter Bam owned the best part, and also lent hsm a fur-lined overcoat. Further conversations led to prosecutor lending more money, and handing over jewellery in connection with prisoners foithcorning marriage to “Lady Little, of Portsmouth,” at which Sir Pieter was to act as best man. All these representations were false, said counsel, but Field’s sublime faith was not shaken until he. gave prisoner and the lodgefounder” a champagne dinner, and the two Masons became exceedingly drunk. (Laughter.) Later, as prisoner was so persistent in his calls for money, prosecutor became suspicious.—Sir 1 inter Bam stated that he was at present a major in the 7th City of London Regiment, and resided at Burgess Hill, Sussex.— Asked whether be had any property in.: Tipperary, he laughingly replied, Lnfortunately not.” (Laughter.) To the question whether he had ever visited Tipperary, he said he might have motoied through it.—Mr. Purcell (prosecuting) : Did you intend to act as BEST MAN AT PRISONER'S WEDDING. —As best man, no! (Laughter.)—Or as any man? —No. (Renewed laughter.) —Did you belong to a Masonic Lodge, and were you willing to introduce Mr. Field to a Freemasons Lodge?—l am not a Freemason. He had had correspondence with prisoner on military matters, but on nothing else. He might have seen prisoner in South Africa with Col. Finlayson in connection with the siege of Kimberley.— Mr. Field said prisoner brought the coat (which was the one he w r aa wearing; back. Prisoner showed him a cheque for £167, which he said ;he was going td change, but, added witness, he has not changed it yet.” (Laughter.)—Did you let him have any more things? —He came on a Saturday night and asked me to go with him and have a glass of wine, and I did’—Did he borrow again then? —He said it had cost him more for his wedding than he expected, and I let him have another 10s. (Laughter.) —Asked as to what happened next, witness said “prisoner told me we were as good as brothers.” Everything he said would be all right, and that he wanted a watch for his typist, as the typist had had extra work through the Tipperary visit. An enameJlea watch then passed from witness to prisotier.Did he promise to pay for that?—Well, he just shook the cheque about. (Laughter.) —A conversation then ensued between his lordship and counsel on the snhiect of the coat, and it was decided that as the coat had been returned the ■ count with regard to that would have

to be struck out. —Once prisoner brought an old gentleman with him who could scarcely walk, and who was said to be the “ founder of the Grand Lodge,” and of whom prisoner .said, “Treat him well, as lie is a big man.’ Witness, did jso. (Laughter.)—What did you do?—1 treated them to refreshments and drinks till they could not walk. (Loud laughter.)—When did you first realise the statements wore untrue? —When I went to his lodgings. One “secretary” that ho brought to me cost me £3 for a lunch. But as lie looked rather rough I _ followed him , and found that he had given a false address. When I asked the landlord whether prisoner was a gentleman the landlord said, “That is what I want to know.” (Laughter.) As a result the prosecution was commenced. —Mr Hartley (for the defence) suggested that “all the

SWANKING ABOUT TIPPERARY and Sir Pieter Bam’ took place during jollifications.—Ho told mo about it first thing in the morning sometimes. AVitness said the old man who was introduced got so drunk one night that he put him in a cab and paid os. 6d. for the fare. —Then how did you and prisoner get home? —As well as we could. (Laughter.) Continuing, witness said that when one of prisoner’s secretaries came round to have a chat about Freemasonry he was “simply speechless and fell back on to the bodi” (Laughter.) —Evidence was also given by Air Pickolet, prisoner’s landlord, who said he ad-

var afti dra\ all 1 moil pret tli in thre m or ■som fori: nati w as yes the Ira eve ficc as Lu: dm ha< ct*i ow SOI <lr« rol shr be] in y o' pre fro ill-1 the gav for 1911 amoi preti at Sin c-i comi ance ing that had —Mi sider ed a of cc jury. to tli couni soner lutelj far s soner take convii missu tion, sente prism The that the huge War Office in Whitehall is not large enough for all the work of today, and certain departments are to be removed to other premises which have been secured. When the present building was finished in 1906 it was regarded as adequate for all possible War purposes'.