Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-11
An InlpOster.

EdEt0r RutLG71d Herald "A man call.
ing himself William II. Hall, came to
this Dandy on the afternoon of Thursday
last, claiming that he had been robbed
while in Montreal, and was in destitute
circumstances, and claiming to be
Mason in good standing, applied to
Marble Lodge for assistance. His story
was as follows: He started from Santiago,
California, about two weeks ago, and
came to Montreal, and while there in the
depot his pocket was picked, containing
some four hundred dollars. He had sold
his revolver and gold pen, which cost him
$25 for $3.50, with which he had managed
to get as far south as Dandy. He wished
to go to Madison, Va, and asked the
Lodge to loan him money enough for that
purpose. He said he had sent word TO
his friends in Santiago, to forward money
to him at Madison, and he thought in
about fifteen days to be able to return the
money. He claimed also to have been a
merchant in Santiago for seven years.
On Friday evening it was thought best to
call meeting and investigate the case,
and see if the man was what he represent
ed himself to be, which was accordingly
done. He was very bright in Masonry
and passed good examination. His
statement before the Lodge was sub
stantially the same as we have given
above. Mr.. Marcellas Griffith, n member
& II
of Santiago, Cal, being present, was called
upon to question Mr.. Hall in regard to
that city. Mr.. Griffith requested him to
give the names of the principal hotels,
principal lawyers, merchants, etc Hall
stated that there was but one newspaper
printed there, known as the Pioneer. 1t
so happened that Mr.. Griffith had two
different papers in his pocket, published
in Santiago, neither of which bore the
above name. In looking over the adver-
tisements and business cards, not name
could be found which Hall had given.
Even the name of the Lodge, 10 which be
claimed to belong, and which be called
Mt. Moriah No. A, was wrong, there
being such Lodge in Santiago He was
also unable to tell the Postmasters name.
These discrepancies in Halle statements
confirmed the opinion of all the members
present that he was an imposter. He
claimed to be no imposter upon being in
formed that he was so considered by the
Lodge, and said before he left town he
would prove the contrary. But through
fear of being arrested, which he doubtless
would have been before morning, he left
town for parts unknown, leaving his
board bill of So, at Vances Hotel, unpaid,
being last seen going towards the rail-
road. Hall is man of pleasing address,
being very intelligent and talkative. We
should Judge him to be near so years OF
age, about feet s inches in height, and
I wore a de.h vloslSe. Ho is no
doubt accomplished rascal and blackleg,
and will try his game elsewhere. Your
correspondent saw this same man at
Pawlet Hotel on Tuesday of last week,
and had a conversation with him, sup
posing him to be some sort of travelling
agent, but omitted to learn his name.
Upon being questioned on Friday evening
in regard to his being at Pawlet, Hall de-
MED of ever being there and that he did
not recognise us. He doubtless had no
idea of finding any one here who had
ever seen him before, and much less of
finding any one who had lived in Santi-
ago. He thought perhaps that Dandy
would be a good place to practice his de-
ceptiop, but he was sadly disappointed,
and found himself completely cornered
before he was aware of it. He will prob
ably seek new field for operation, but
will have to find less enlightened COM
munity than this before he can be sue
cessful. Jew.