The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-30
A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS

6ehbRttOns
Perhaps the most audacieus swindler since
Vagnostro, Is the bigamst Wheeler, alias
cunningham" whose latest exploit,
achieved even while he was lying in prison,
charged with a heinous crime, was the fool
ing OF all the New York journals, save the
IT6une, with bogus confession concerning
the Rogers murder, published about two
weeks ago. He was brought to trial in the
Westchester County Court of Sessions, last
"wednesday. The principal witnesses against
him were Gilbert Weymar, the father of the
TarTytown girl whom he married first, and
Miss Eighmer, the one whom he charged
with completely in the Rogers murder. The
jury rendered verdict of guilty of the crime
OF which he stood accused, without any hesi-
tatlon. When the verdict had been returned,
the Judge asked him what he had to say against
the passing of sentence upon him. Cunning
ham spoke half an hour in reply to the ques-
tion, and undertook, in vindication OF tbs
second marriage, to renarrate the story about
the Rogers murder. The Court Ntopped him,
however before he proceeded far, and pro-
nounced sentence upon him. He was con-
demned to Sing Sing for five years. Before
leaving the courtroom, he thanked the Judge
fer having him so literally treated in allowing
h'-p as much as the law would allow, and the
TRY for having acted so promptly in the pre-
mises. He was yesterd y removed from
White Plains to Sing Sing. Before going he
lavished his farewells atiectiOnately among
the White Plains officials, and took occasion
to say that after his release he would marry
wife for every month OF his confine-
ment. He was asked at court whether he hid
ever been incarcerated for crime, He refused
to reply, but has intimated to his
fellow prisoners that he had been confined on
the same charge as that for which he was SEN
fenced, in the States of New Jersey and Michi-
gan. "Cunningham's" real name is Clinton
Wheeler. be is a returned Californian, and
has, since his re urn, adopted the name of
William Cornell Cunningham. He has a
pleasing address, is an accomplished liar and
swindler, and q notorious bigamst. He is
about fifty three years Of age. In person he
is not above the medium size wears a heavy
mass of hght-brown hair, with moustaches
and chin whjskers of fiery color. Upon his
finger a massive ring has become stationary
from long indulgence in its position, and pro-
claims its owners wealth and taste. Wheeler
has all the manners of Californian, tinged
with little wildness OF look and expression,
which often creates an impression that his
mind is somewhat astray; but this has not
interfered very materially with the success o f
certain very questionable confidence opera
tions which he has been engaged in at
different times within the past, six
months, and in which he appears to have
come off generally with satisfaction to himself
and loss to the individuals whom he had in
veigled into confidence He was the only son
Il
to California in 1857. While in the Golden
State he evidently turned his disposition to be
friendly with strangers to no small account,
for, as subsequent events showed, he acquired
fund of knowledge of persons and particu
lars of family history which served him in
his future operations. Returning to New
York some time last summer he boarded for
several weeks in the Astor House and
French's Hotel, pursuing his adopted profess
sion of swindling the public within the limits
of the city and in the suburbs. Among the
first places at which any traces can be OBJ
of Mr.. Benson, in York street.
Jersey City, where he appeared
about the lst of November last with
wonderful story about California estate of
$75, 900, for the transfer of which he possessed
the necessary powers. The property he re-
presented had been left by Mr.. Travers,
deceased in California, to an aged lady of the
same name, who had formerly been an inmate
of Mr.. Benson's house. The family of the
latter were of course thrown into a fever o.
expectation at the good fortune which had
suddenly befallen their friend, and number
of Journeys were made in company with
Wheeler to her present home. But the all.
powerful stranger did not deliver the papers
which were to place the fortune in her hands
and suddenly disappeared, after exhausting
all efforts to secure an advance of money
without success, He appeared soon after.
wards at Saddle River, where he visited the
house of Mr.. John Banta with story some
what similar to that upon which he expended
his efforts in Jersey City. A little girl, whose
parentage was unknown, had been adopted
by Mr.. Banta, and the pleasing stranger
brought her fortune of 100000, the papers
for the transfer of the property being in this
case, as in the first, in his possession.
daughter of his host attracted the at
tention of the wealthy Californian
and he made hasty proposition
of marriage, which the young lady, impressed
with his apparent wealth, as hastily accepted
Before the engagement had grown TO matu.
rity, however, Wheeler disappeared carrying
with him watch considerable amount Of
money, ana some clothing belonging to Mr.
Banta. 1t was ascertained, after his suddel
departure, that he had also vietimized one o
two neighboring farmers with whom he ha
bargaiHed for the purchase of land. He ap
peared soon afterwards in Morristown, wher
he borrowed $400 from Mr.. John Ward,
farmer with whom he had entered into negO
tiations for the purchase of his farm. He wa
not afterwards seen in that locality. He seem
to have suddenly transferred his operations I
a new field, as he appeared at this Juncture l
the vicinity of East Tarrytown, New York.
is at this place that he first adopted the nam
of Cunningham. He came into the neighbOl
hood where his first matrimonial specr
lation was made, representing that h
had purchased farm in that localit
from a Mrs Cunningham, the owner, VIII
resides in this city. He had paid $1,000, he said
upon the property, and had made his journey u
the river for the purpose of viewing his me-
Dossessions bafore complgting the purchase