The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-01-05

A CRIPPLED SoLDlER-AN IMrosToR.-
A young man calling himself "Frank
Whitcomb," and who claims to be a rel
alive of the late Gov. Whitcomb of this
State, a wounded soldier, and Metho-
dist preacher, visited our neighboring
town Of Williamsburg a short time since.
He told pathetic story about his suffer
ings in Andersonville prison pen, where
he had seen beloved brother "Char-
ley" hung by the rebels for trying to
escape the horrors of that rebel hell
how he had been wounded in the left leg,
below the knee, the ball entering be.
tween the two bones Of his leg, and Grip
ping him for life-being obliged to use
crutches ever since. He also said he
had been wounded in his left breast,
which had not yet healed up. The
wound in his leg, he exhibited, and it
was evidently made by a musket ball.
Re attended Methodist meeting. preach
ed and prayed, and was seemingly very
devout and pinus-showed letters of
recommendation from we'll known and
leading clergymen of this persuasion,
(evidently all forged, and, when asked
for his papers, licensing him as preach
er, he alleged that they were in his
trunk at Washington, together with his
soldier discharge.
after remaing in the neighborhood of
oI, xuba hay ri
buttons in money for his benefit, and ct
the house of w. f. Harris, whose SYM
pathies had been warmly enlisted in his
behalf by his pitiful tale, and whose
heart, house and purse, are always open
to the brave soldiers of our country, an
article from the pen Of Rev. Mr.. Mahan,
in the Western Christian Advocate, at
tracted Mr.. H's attention. brief warn
ing to the public against being imposed
upon by young man by the name Of
Frank Whitcomb. who pretended to be
Methodist preacher, and denouncing
him as a base impostor. Mr.. H. is a.
subscriber to the Advocate, but the arti
Gle had been seen and read by Frank
first, who took occasion at prayer
meeting held the night the paper was
received. to make public explanation,
that he had no doubt some individual
had stolen his name and was practising
the imposition alluded to by Mr.. Mahan.
This seemed somewhat to allay suspi-
cions; but they were soon revived by
some little incidents VIII itcomb had re-
lated that took place at Hagerstown, be-
tween himself and soldier comrade-
that he had taken his guitar from his
trunk at that plsQ PUG eoB played it for
his soldier friend and they had good
time together, &c. Mr.. II. happening
to see the person alluded to and men
tioning the occurrence as Frank had re-
lated it, he denied all knowledge of ev
err being so entertained. Mr.. Harris at
once sought an interview with Frank
mentioned his "white lies," and insisted
on his getting that trunk, and exhibiting
his preachers license, &c. Mr.. H. fur
nished buggy, horse and boy to take
the REV gent to the depot at Washing
ton to get his credentials. Previous to
starting, Frank gathered what few traps
he bad at Mr.. Harris, and took them
along with him in his carpet-bag. On
arriving at Washington, the aforesaid
trunk hadn't been heard of there, and
Frank went to Hagerstown after it
and, to make long story short, him,
his trunk and its valuable contents have
not been heard of since They have
| all vanished ''like the baseless fabric of
| vision" leaving only the soreck of mis-
placed confidence behind, with those
he had so adroitly imposed upon, and
who had treated him so kindly! He was
a stranger and he stock them inr'
| This moral and physical cripple, is
about 26 years of age, sandy complex
ion, and about feet inches in height
| He parts his hair in the middle and
combs it forward at the ears, and is a
| sweet scented 'scuss''-using musk, bur-
gamot, etc, in an excessive degree, in
order Gas he says,) to destroy the I'M
pleasant odor arising from the wound in
his breast; he (having lost the sense of
gunpowder on the battle ield,) desires
to contribute, no doubt, to the enjoy
ment Of those who have that sense re-
naming, which is the only commenda-
BILE trait in his conduct The public are
warned against being deceived by this
4 "wolf in sleeps clothing"
A. G. HARVEY ESQ. salicitor and re