The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-06-25
A Gay Svtindler.
An Englishman Psrsonates Young
Lady IN Distress aud Tittimises
.Mang Susceptible Gentlemen!

.AR EngiShman Psrsonates Young
Lady in Distress aud Eittimisss
Many Susceptible Gentlemen!
An Englishman, aged about hfty-fve
years, named William r. Emerson, was
arrested in Boston few days ago, on a
charge of swindling various persons
throughout the country. His plan was to
obtain the name Of SOME prominent citizen
or officer, and address him a letter pur-
porting to have been written by young
lady, who had departed from the right
way and was anxious to reform. He as
kamed as many names as suited his fancy,
such as "Fanny CALDWELL" "Eya Ellis"
"Kate Farran,' etc. The names of par
ties addressed we're generally selected
from the newspapers of the day, political
almanacs, city directories, etc. Congress
men and government officers at Washing
ton, as well as prominent gentlemen from
Maine to Louisiana, were addressed and
solicited for aid. The principal letters
found upon Emerson had been written by
parties residing in New York, New Eng
land, Pennsylvania, Washington city,
Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Ten
nessee and Louisiana. He had in his pos
session about fifty letters, and some ofthe
writer's had sent money to the 'poor girl"
ranging in sums from 81 up to $l00. B.
G. Mann, of New Orleans, sent the latter
sum to his "darling Kate" All of the
correspondents we're not so generous, how
ever, some of them ser ding her nothing,
and telling her she was humbug. Gen.
tlemen with families volunteered to do all
in their power to assist her in carrying
out her good intentions to reform, and
gave her directions to put up at this or
that hotel on her arrival in the city, and
notify them where an interview could be
had. In writing these letters, the "dis-
tressed girl" generally represented that
she wanted enough money to take her to
the city where the party whom she ad-
dressed was living. A Congressman from
Maryland received note from this siren,
representing to him that her father had
died in Paris, leaving her unprotected in
that gay, licentious capital;" that she
returned to the States, and had since then
been living on the proceeds derived from
the sale of her jewels and other valuables.
She claimed that she been introduced to
the Congressman some years ago, and she
remembered him calling her a"beautiful
girl" The following is the concluding
portion of the letter:
"Write to me, and OIL say may l
come to you. I speak French, Italian,
German, and play on the piano and harp.
Surely, with little generous assistance
and hopeful confidence. I might be eha-
bled to help myself so as not to be bur-
den to my kind friend. Write to me, do,
and send me small sum enclosed, for l
am in immediate want, and oh, will be
very grateful. Then afterward, if you
desire, 1 will haste to you on the wings of
gratitude and affection. Write to me, l
pray, for am in abject want. Oh, in
mercy be my friend, and l will bless you.
The poor orphan, friendless girl will be
very grateful. In kindness remember me
as / was, in pity as I am. l shall anx-
iously and hopefally await your reply.
Need add more? Write to me, oh, do"
Some of the letters contained much
good advice, but no money. One old gen.
tleman told her that he had long ago ceas-
ed to contribute anything to "young la
dies who travelled on their muscle" A
"gushing" youth in West Chester, Penn
sylvania, had quite an extensive cores
pondence with her, and had sent ten dol
lars, twenty dollars and thirty dollars to
her at different times The following is
an extract from one of his letters:
"MY DEAREST ANGEL-Your dear,
sweet, letter of the 10Th / received this
evening, and hasten to reply. Oh! how l
was disappointed, for l anticipated the
pleasure Of meeting you in person yester-
day. I went to town and | inquired for
you, but you had not arrived. l look for
ward to our meeting joyously. am so
glad that / was the means of helping you,
dearest, and that I have relieved you of
the embayassment alluded to-. Oh (! it
must be awful to be among those who are
not congenial to ones self, and | do think
you have kind, loving heart,' and you
seem to have no one to love you OR to
take care for you. May 1 hope l may
supply that void in your bosom, and be
your idol Oh! feel that could fly to
you we're it possible ; my whole being goes
| toward you in sympathy and love. OH!
might say much more, but will defer it
until we meet, my little darling, for
seem to feel that you reciprocate my sen.
timents."
| This ,rnnth will doubtless feel cha0rined