The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-06-28
THE TICHBORNE ROMANCE.
INTERESTING SKETCH O. AN EX-
TRAORDlNARY CA8Rs <

| -
a Trial 1noo1uing Baroaescy and 9
Vast Estate-A P4zzling Question O
| Personal Identity.
| For romantic interest and extraordi-
nary incident, the story now being told
in the English Court of Common Pleas
before Lord Chief Justice Bovill aud q
special jury, in the grea: case of Itch
borne VS.. Lushington, can scarcely be
surpassed by any novel. The question
involved is the plaintiffs identity with
Roger C. D. Tichborne, who left Eng
land in 1858, and was supposed to have
bsen lost at sea. his claim is estab-
lished, he will come into possessions OF
baronetcy and vast estate, while, it he
should fail, be may we'll be regarded as
the most remarkable imposter Of modern
times. Questions of personal identity
are almost always interesting, and are
generally of much importance to the
parties Immediately concerned; as, for
instance, where the wrong man is hang
ed by reason Of bis close resemblance to
the real criminal, as has unquestionaoly
happened more than once. But such a
case rarely e1cites the same degree of
public interest as is manifested when,
as here, the claim to title and great
estate is disputed, on the ground that
the claimant is an imposter.
The Tichborne trial was begun on
the 18th of May, before jury of eleven,
BY consent of counsel on both sides, who
comprise some of the ablest men at the
bar. Thus far only the plaintiffs eVi-
dence has been heard; but it is of such
a character as almost to justify the re-
mark of one Of the witnesses, that the
claimant is "either Sir Roger Tichborue
or tie devil"
About some of the facts there is no
controversy. 1t is certain that Rodger
G. D. Tic borne, the sou of Sir James
D. Tichborne and Lady Harriet. F. Itch
borne, was born in January, 1929; that
he was brought up in Paris, where his
father and mother then resided, under
the care ofa French tutor named Chat
tillou, the family being Roman Catho.
lies; that in i845 he was sent to school
in England; that he entered the British
army as an officer of the Carbineers in
1859, and was stationed for while at
i'ublin with his regiment; and that in
1853, from some cause which is not
clearly explained, he left England, pro-
ceeded to Harve, and there EN- 6arked on
a sailing vessel called the Pauline,
bound for VALPARAISO.
While an officer in the army, yourg
Tichborne was rather slim, about five
feet ei.:ht inches in height, and having
been educated ir France, his English
was decidedly foreign in accent. His
departure to South America can be at
tributed only to the unhappiness which
he experienced iu his home relations
owing to the miserable life which his
pa cuts led together, to the ridicule he
encountered in the army owing to his
deGcieu: education, and which led him
to sell his commission, ond to his love
for wild, roaming life.
1t is alleged in behalf Of the claimant
that Roger Tichborne, accompanied BY
a servant named Moore, reached Valp-
araiso in safety, and thence went to San
tiago, where Moore fell sick and was
left behiud by his master. who expected
to continue his voyage in the Pauline.
After residing short time at place
called Melipilla, he abandoned this idea,
aud made journey across the Continent
of South America Returuiag to Sam
tiaeo, he met Moore again, and then
made his way to Rio Jauelro. where ne
embarked on the Bella, a vessel bound
for New York.
Now there is no doubt that the real
Roger Tichborne was on board the
Bella when she sailed. The Bells was
lost at sea; and when the news reached
E,l gland that the vessel and all hands
had gone down, it was 6rn,ly believed
nat Sir Roger had shared sheir fate
Ills fathers will was proved, and the
,ext Of kin, whose guardians appear as
defendants in this suit, took the proper |
y.
On the proposition that one person
Eas saved from the wreck Of the Bella,
md iha: that person wis Sir Roger
is based the plaintiffs claim
u this great suit. lie SAYS that two
'oais left the vessel; that he was in one
# them; and after floating about in it
or three days he was picked up by an
american vessel and taken 10 Melbourne,
Fhere he landed in July, 1854.
The Australian gold excitement was
hen at its heigth; but Sir Roger-as-
uped that the claimant is he-being q
.ood horseman, went to work at break
ug horses instead of diging gold. He
Eas very fond OF horses, aud met with
much success, remaining for some time
II the service Of a gentleman named
'os;er, in Gippslaud, and changing his
anne to Thomas Castro, that of friend
e had made in Chill. He was married
D 1865, and has had two children.
In the meantime sailor, who bad
olicited aims ol Sir Rogers mother.