The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-25
The "I1ord Massey" Case-A Singular
Affair.

at Philadelphia on his arrival recently in q
steamer from England, together with the
charges made against him of receiving
money under false pretences, and the singll-
lar termination Of the case at West Chester,
Pa. were mentioned by telegraph. Among
the charges was obtaining a watch from
Miss Single, lady in Caleb Cope's family.
Massey was also charged with making false
and purchasing farm from
Mr.. Cope. Miss Single refused to appear,
and without her testimony the alderman de-
cided the case not made out. He discharged
the Lord. Mr.. Cope extended an invitation
to his lordship to accompany him to the
farm he had in days gone by so fancied,
which invitation was accepted, and the two,
Mr.. Cope and "Lord Massey left the prison
together. Lord Massey is now resting
quietly upon the farm Of c. Cope.
MAssEY's STORY OF HIMSELF.
In an interview with the reporter of the
West Chester Local Ne1cs "Lord" Massey
is reported to have given the story of bis
life as follows:
liam twenty.eight years Of age; was
born in Ireland, in the county of Limerick,
of wealthy parents, and who enjoyed a wide
and influential relationship. Their names
refrain from mentioning because I do not
wish to attach to them any of the reproach
which. have brought upon myself. l was
educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and
after graduating l came IN possession of
considerable sum, but which by fast living
was soon squandered, and became penni-
less. In 1872 I came to work in Chester
county. upon the farm of Caleb Cope, with
whom / remained up to last summer, when
left him aud visited Cape May. At
the latter place I passed several weeks !;
had good time in representing my
self as "Lord Massey" and cut heavy
figure generally. The elite Of that watering
place all became enamored with me, and
scpecially tie ladies, and, in fact, was courled
and made star by all the fashionabcs of the
place. The yachting stories, of which you
have doubtless heard, are true, and are not in
any way overdrawn so far as / can learn. l
purchased two 81, 100 horses, with which I
also had good time; but did not swindle
any persons there, the horses being returned
TO their rightful owner upon my quitting
the place for Philadelphia. After leaving
Cape May returned to my work on the
farm of Mr. Cope, but only remained there O
few days. when went to Philadelphia, and
there shipped for France, where l reached
in due season, and finally passed over
into England, where / met Yardiy War
ner, of Philadelphia, who was visit
ing Europe in the interests of the
Society of Friends. In Europe I assumed
the name of Frank Cope, son of my late en-
ployer, and mingled with the Society of
Friends most of my time in that country.
7 did not inveigle any money from the
Friends, bat had good time at their ex-
pense indirectly. Lately ] have become
greatly addicted to drinking, and especially
during my stay in England did indulge
freely in this grade ofviee. met Mr.. War
ner frequently, and it was he who paid my
passage fare to America: he also accompa.
nying me. I shipped at Liverpool; he did
not get aboard until we reached Queens
town. I little thought that his assumed
kindness was but to lead me into the Gus
tody of the law. I did not attempt to de-
fraud any of my fellow. passengers on the
voyage, and saw but little of Mr.. Warner
during the trip. On Saturday morning
tug.boat met US at Point Breeze, and three
detectives boarded the Pennsy lyania and
arrested me upon warrant issued by
Alderman Whitehead upon the charge Of
false pretence, with Caleb Cope as plaintif1.
Upon landing at Philadelphia the dock was
crowded with people, drawn thither to see
me. and when was taken to Alderman Belt
Ier's Office number Of my former cape
Nav friends followed after to bail me In case
7 was arraigned for hearing. The alderman
thought it best to have me sent at once TO
West Chester; so, in charge of two OF the
three detectives, was brought to West Ches-
fer, had no intention Of visiting chester
county, my plans being to start West from
Philadelphia; but my arrest blasted all sucn
authorizations. This cell is dreadful place
to find myself confined after so long llie OF
oa;ety and fashion. / expect shall be tried,
fonnd guilty, and made to suffer imprlson.
ment in PROPORTION to my bad acts; but
shall hear the sentence of the law as one
who has but himself to blame for his trou-
hle and with no one to share the lgnomlni.
ono consequences. AS for any action toward
MIR. Cope am not fearful of the results out
7 nredict MIR. Warner will be the prlncipaii
prosecutor in the case pending against me"
APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONER.
"Lord y Massey is a good-looking young
man. and is evidently highly educated: aus
manner was decidedly nervous, but whether
This was the result of his past excessive
drinking or through fear of the issue at stahe
we could not determine. He is mos
nJessont conversationalist, and we do mol
wonder at his having been a lion among
the people generally wherever he has chosen sl
to play his deceptive art. His WARDROBE
consists of large, heavy English oansul
oyercoat, blue sack undercoat, blue pants,
dark vest, back-and-white plaid SHIRT, ano
bat of English fashion made OF felt, ana on
the sugar.loaf style in point OF shape.
One of the charges brought against A!tor'
y-Genera Williams is that the Govern