Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-17

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A SwINDLER ExposED.-A letter dated
Frankfort, KY, February l3, gives the follow
ing details of an affair which was briefly re-
ferred to in our columns few days ago
This community has been excited tor day
or two past with the extraordinary adventures
of one s. Adams Lee who claimed to be
nephew of the late General X. f.. Lee, eXhl-
biting letters and papers in authorization Of
the assumed fact His first appearance here
was fortnight ago, when by plausible address
and adroit use Of his letters and papers he in
duced the Legislature to grant him the use OF
Ocean. He claimed to have been naval Of
6cer on the Merrimac at the time OF its com
bat with the Monitor and by pitiful tale of
his misfortunes as a Confederate he induced
General John c. Breckenridge, through his
regard for the Lee family, to loan him fifty
dollars Similar exactlons were made upon
the confidence of Colonel j. Stoddard Johnston
and other leading ex. Contederates.
5. Adams Lee wore a military attire and
sports cork leg, which he says is the fruit of
his Confederate service After his first ex-
ploits here. information came from the Georgia
papers and through private sources that he was
rare impostor, and although a distant rela-
tive of the Lee family, yet he had been dlsowned
by them. His fine address and polished man
ners gained him entrance into the best society
and for while he was sort OF hon. Partl-
cularly was this true of his acqualntanceship
among the ladies.
lngratiating himself into the confidence of
the principal of female academy at New Gas
tie, Kentucky, he made the acquaintance and
won the affections of one Of the teachers
an intelligent and attractive young lady from
northern State. Her mother sought to pre-
vent their MAJ rage aud took her home, but she
returned alone to EmiueGce, where she joined
Lee, and both came to this city yesterday to
consummate the bans taking rooms ut the Aler-
rwether House.
Fortunately an acquaintance of the young
lady discovered their presence; and, having
seen the published accounts OF Lees rascaIlty
elsewhere, he took steps to prevent the intend.
ed marriage. Communicating with Colonel
Stoddard Johnston, the latter, with General
John G.. Breckinridge Colonel George Jessie,
Colonel Taylor the county attorney, John Ju-
Ian, and others formed themselves into a COM
mittee and proceeded to the Merriwether
House. where they confronted Lee with the
proof of his receptions. lie admitted the
charge but said he suffered so much from the
use of opium Ia tin box Of which he displayed
to his intcrviewers) that he hoped that they
would excuse him.
BY this time quite crowd had collected,
and threats of violence were muttercd. AS he
was cripple, and upon his agreeing, to leave
the county. he was conducted TO the Louisville
train and allowed to depart. The lady express
ed much surprise at the proofs OF his vlllalny,
but kissed him ere he went. She remained ID
s.he city last night and at times expressed
Spubts Of the numerous charges made against
s&,e and the general belief is that they will
tally marry. She will be conducted to h'r
3tatives by friends
=. Lee left with gres.ts rdg uatlon rgains those
whom he declared his prosecutors, but it is to
be hoped the publicity of his present adventur-
eS will prevent other communities from being
vctmzed by so adroit villain.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY NINE DAYS ON
A WRECK-One OF the most dismal stories on
record is that 10 connection with the wreck OF
the Shelehoff, which was found floating water
logged near the Sandwich Island few weeks
ago The wreck was seen one morning by the
lookout on board the steamship Moses Taylor,
whilst on the voyage from Japan to San Fran
cisco. A solitary man was taken Oft the wreck,
the only survivor of the crew and passengers
He was the captain OF the vessel and although
he was in most exhausted condition, he gave
the following particulars Of her disaster: The
Shelehoff sailed from San Francisco for Callao
on The 22d of June last, with cargo OF timber,
under command of Captain HopkeD. She had
crew consisting of first and second mates and
fourteen seamen, together with four passen-
gers The weather was rather rough at the
commencement of the passage, but on the lst
of July there was dead calm. On the Sd,
however, the ship was overtaken by heavy
squalls and the vessel was compelled to run
under bare poles. The wind and sea continued
to increase, and it soon became evident that
The ship was caught in cyclone, and on the
morning Of the 4th instant she was on her
beam ends, the sea making clean breach over
her. and in order to keep her from laundering
the masts were cut away, and the vessel
partially righted The cargo In the tween
decks in the meantime got loose and car
ried away the skylights, wheel-house, compan-
ionway and damned up the entrance to the
cabin. 1t was found that this was immovable,
and that it was impossible to get at either pro
visions or water and the vessel soon filled with
the sea- The stem, where there was less cargo,
settled deeply, and was completely, washed by
every wave. In this desperate condition, with
out food or drink, or control over their Vessei,
aud out of the track of any probable passing
SAIL the unfortunate crew thought their case
hopeless. They succeeded in getting barrel
oftongues, two half barrels of salmon, and a
box of starch, but the water butts were stove
in. and not drop could be had from them. A
sail was, however, rugged in such way as to
catch some rain water. The cargo now, began
TO press the deck and sides asunder,. aud 1t was
feared that the vessel would go to pieces, The
hawsers We're got out and lashed around the en-.
tire hull of the ship, but though the crew were tor
ed by thirst and it was in vain the captain beg
gedthcm not to drink salt water. They, how
ever, drank it. Great boils burst out all over
their bodies; they were attacked with dysentery,
and soon afterwards died in raging madness
In spite of all the privatious endured, 1t was va;
mi