The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-11-02
An UmeonmomlY sharp Female Gentle
GDMcG aAnnRnlNEa

TN G0seyOTnfU ana IN lfThs, gun mae Ae
eosspl;ce--1Hs Saiadiors .tiH at Large.
Prom the n. Y. Times, Oct. n.
Two Philadelphia detectives are now in thi
city, on the lookout for French woman, aide
By male companion, ~ho has lately been per
petrating magnificent swindles upon some o
the credulous inhabitants Of Philadelphia. SD,
came to Philadelphia from the South, after hav
ing performed very successful engagements
in all the leading Southern cities, including Cal
ifornia and Texas The offer OF hands, me re
ward for her discovery and arrest, ard ais,
the discovery and arrest Of hor male com
panion, stimulated several New York "shad-
ows to join in the eager search for them.
The woman 10 the principal object Of interest
as the majority Of the swindles have been en-
tirely effected through her adroitness and false
representations.
An Interesting account is given below OF hei
bodness and most brilliant operations in tn.
confidence line, as far as they have been brought
to the knowledge of the Police.
Emile de Gagino, her aliases would fill d
voiume-is the name our subject hourshed un-
der at Philadelphia. That she is a French wo
man there is no doubt. OF the particular prov
ince in Frasce which has the honor OF being
her birthplace aud the particular period when
she was born, there is great doubt She names
as the place Of her nativity dozen different
towns, according as the caprice takes her, and
gives dozen different ages for herself, accord.
ing as she happens to feel physically. She in.
yariably represents herself, however, as belong.
ing TO one Of the leading families OF the old
French no6iesse and is possessed of enormous
estates and splendid old chateau, the latter
somewhat dismantled at the present time, and,
like pile without inhabitaEt, running to ru-
In. Dignted and ma.ronly ia her manners.
her true age is about forty fivs-abie to speak
and write with perfect case, the French, Span
ish, Italian German and English languages. an
accomplished player on the harp and piano. a
cultivated singer, and always richly dressed and
Jewel!ed, she has had no difficulty IN impress
ing those with whom she came in contact with
the truthtuness Of her representations. She is
not good looking, but her sharp intelligence
charming conversational powers and great
seeming sincerity of life and purpose, have been
sufficiently potent to accomplish her mischicy-
Gus ends, unaided by the charm Of female beau
~ She made her appearance in Philadelphia
ABOUT year ago, and remained there eleven
months. On her arrival she put up at Lead
ing hotel, and accompanying her was French.
man, some dozen years older than herself, whom
she represented to be her servant, and whom
she called by the republican name Of Martini
She did not stay at the hotel long. Ordering a
carriage she drove TO a sumptuous private resi-
dence, conspicuous on the mammoth silver door
plate OF which, is the name of G. Z. Hutter
Forged letters of introduction 10 Mr. Hutter
lit was not known at the time that the letters
were forged-were presented; Mr.. Hutter was
delighted to be OF service to his distinguished Wis.,
tor. MI. Hutter was charmed, and the Hutters ad.
descent, partook of the paternal and maternal
enthusiasm. In a short time-how could il be
otherwise ?-Mrs. De Gagino was installed in
he Hutter mansion, and urged to make herself
at home" which she very willingly, systemat
caly and thoroughly, proceeded to do. She
cted with no undgnihed haste. She spoke
cry modestly of her vast wealth, and by the
drolt display OF forged foreign correspondence
orreborated the story about her enormous
possessions. She negotiated for the purchase
# about $4,000 worth of real estate in the
lily, which purchases, however, were not consum.
mated. By means OF fraudulent title deeds she in
elgied Mr. Hutter out OF nearly 81, 600 in cash
me morning Mrs. De Gagino was missing from
ne Hutter mansion. The servant, Martin
as missing also, and 80 was the "a 600 |
pendd gold enamelled watch belonging 10 |
irs. Hutter, superb gold watch belonging TO /
ne of the Misses Hutter, and a large cross s,ad /
ed with brilliant diamonds. Numerous small I
nd some large tradesmen we're losers by her /
ldden departure. She took away iewelry
lough to open country jewelry store wthal,
40 SILKS enough TO drive a very thriving rural
ACE IN this expensive branch Of commerce
The abrupt departure OF his elegant and sc.
'mpllshed guest suggested to Mr.. Hutter the
Try natural propriety OF tracing, if possible.
er antecedents, and getting clue to her
ovements after leaving his hospitable roof Il
: means of letters and the telegraph, he has
'ard OF her having enacted similar swindles as
ose perpetrated on himself and OF ers in
liadeipha, in nearly all the leading Southern
ties. In 1900 this is AS far back as he has
eh able 10 trace her-she was the guest OF
e Hon. David I. Porter of Bellvlile, Texas.
er programme oil operations was precisely the
me then now. Her accomplishments and
iiiiu'iy Forged letters and drafts comprised
+ stock in trade The French servant. who
INT by the honest name Of Martin, in Phiiadei-
ia, bore her company, but at that time he was
're Oh par with herself, being desl grated as
r husband lie passed by the name of Eu- ,
ne IT, Constance, and she was known as Mrs ,
instance. lie wore an unuress military eos ,
me, and conducted himself with becoming s
'rtlal and military dignity. lie was portiy and t
40 OF port anu gool dinners. She dressed /!
gahtig, was iui OF yivacious talk and
armed all oq her splendid musical abilitiss- G
ey renamed seven months, guests in the
use OF Mr.. Porter. She was the business /
fty-her husband, like many husbands. he
an inefficient cypher. She was greatly :,
armed VITA the climate and society Of Texas !
! determined TO make Texas her residence =
bought 1880 acres OF land had the title :.
Ids executed, and made all the arranp ements
,he erection Oh superb residence. She .
irerted into cash forged drafts on her hank ,
1yi rod iItD -, |
So,uoo, and gave further forged drafts in q
ment for her land purchase, and started on u
.avelng jaunt TO the Northern States-com- q
ting which, she was to return and set about
Immediate completion Of her future resi- 50
ce. 1t Is hardly necessary to add that She r
not return to BelIvilIe. b,
Judge J. Benton Johnson, of Corpus Christi
as, suffered depletion OF So, aU5 at the VI
as OF TINS adroit woman. Forced drafts Va
sed ttie deeds and smooth tongue, effected o.
pecunIary drain upon the plethorc pockets "a
he usually sharp Judge. From Texas she sh
t to California, and practiced several swind- m
n the golden gated city. She is believed 10 in
e remained IN California about a year Mr..
iian Franklin, one OF the heaviest Iumher Y,
ers IN San francisco,as far as is known is her 81
West victim, he having been induced 10 mart ~;
so,ooo IN gold, IN exchange tor worthless II,
~ Ag operating Win drafts she prevented an
suit and arrest, as, by the time the draft.
e discovered 10 be worthless. She would
age TO have put herself at a conveniently va
distance from her victim 81
] New Orleans, Mobile, Natchez and BALI; on
e, her presence has been distinctly traced "i'
her abundant brass and musical notes she ="
received superintendent gold and bank ~
.. her success has been most remarkable
would Invariably have her victim selected Pc
re she entered place, learn thoroaphly ap
and by forged letters OF iutrn- OF
ION, easily effect her swindng purpose.
'rse numbers have doubtless been swindlad ba
'rem personal PRIDE never have made the for
known. Her male companion has usually stu
IN the humble capacity OF valet He i SAT
servant enough. and his appearance Is not bu
;lently dtsttagRe Tor him 10 pass readily for we
husband OF a woman so accomplished, of out
vast possessions, and with SO much CT no.
iood IN her veins Aside from this il wsa
III keeping with her assumed character to ~ -.
body servant to order / er carriage. to ME
ey answers to her notes OF invitation. ana
tae general gtnteel waiting upon her Pa,
her thing, not unworthy Of consideration Rjy
want could pick up any little unpleasant it
p that might be set aslir, casting imputa traj
upon the character OF tile leading actress :
scene The aggregate net result OF the ~
lies OF tins woman is is believed by Mr. ~
r and the Police 10 reach heavy amour. e