Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-03-18
The TichbOrne ImpOsture.

body is clothed.
The TichbOrne ImpOsture.
Roger Tichborne, whom Arthur Orton
has been convicted of personating, was the
eldest son of James Tichborne, and was
heir to the title and estates of his uncle,
Sir Edward. who had added the name of
Doughty to that of Tichborne. He was a
youth of weak character and moderate in
tclligence, He was educated first under
French tutors and afterward by the Jesuits
at Stonvhurst. He entered the British
army at an early age, and remained three
wears in that service. His home being un-
happy, he resided occasionally with his un-
Gle, the baronet. Sir Edward had one
daughter, Miss Kate Doughty, between
whom and young Roger deep and lasting
attachment sprung up. Sir Edward and
Lady Doughty. however, discouraged it,
because of the Incorporate habits of their
nephew. 1t was, however, finally agreed
that the cousins should separate for year
or two to test the strength of their atfec
tons. Chagrined atithis arrangement, Rog
er threw up his commission in the army
and sailed for Valparaiso in June, 1888, and
after visiting several South American
cities he embarked April 20, 1854. at Rio
Janeiro in the ship Bella for New York,
intending doubtless, to return promptly
to England. as he had heard that his uncle
was dead and his father had succeeded to
the title and estates. The Bella, there is
now no reason to doubt, was lost at sea
with all on board, the will which he left in
England, was accordingly duly proved.
and on his fathers death the inheritance
passed to his younger brother Alfred who,
also dying on the beginning of 1866, left a
| posthumous son to enjoy the baronetcy
! and estates.
His mother, Lady Tichborne, however.
persisted in believing that her son still
| lived; she caused advertisements to be in
serted in English and Australian papers
offering a reward for any tidings of him.
One of these announcements seems to have
melted the person who has just been con-
victed to put forward his claims to be re
garded rs Roger Tichborne This man
who is now virtually adjudged to be Arthur
Orton was then OS64) residing at Wagga
Wagga, in Australia, where under the
name of Thomas Castro, he carried on the
business of butcher. Orton became ac-
Qu:tinted with = sort of attorney named
Gibbs, who was correspondent of one Gu
bitt, who had missing friends agency in
Sydney. Lady Tichborne had got into
correspondence with Cubitt relative TO her
son, but to no effect until Gibbs wrote
from Wagga WaggI to Cubitt to say that
he had spotted the missing man. He
was spotted by Gibbs on accountlof
having the initials X. c. L. " cut upon
his pipe. Orton had also cut these initials
on mantle pieces and benches, and when
observed by Gibbs was. or affected to be,
very much annoyed. Gratified ut having,
as he supposed, found the lost heir, Cubtt
communicated with Lady Tichborne, who
afterward wrote direct to, as she supposed
her son, begging him to return to England.
While hesitating to leave Australia, Orton
fell in with Guilfoyle, who had been gar
dener ut Tichborne Park. and with Andrew
Boyle. the valet of the late Sir Edward
Doughty. He evidently learned great
deal of family history from these men, and
feeling assured that there were no serious
obstacles to acquiring the Iichborne bar
onetcy and estates, he sailed for England,
accom- panied by Guilfoyle and Boyle. He
arrived in London on the afternoon OF
Christmas Day, 1866. His first visit was
to the well known locality of Mapping,
where he made inquiries relative to the
Ortons After being about week in Eng
land he felt equal to seeing Lady Itch
borne who WAS in Paris, impatiently ex-
pecting him. He reached that city, ac-
companied by an attorney and friend, at
o'clock at night, but deferred his visit TO
his mother until the morrow. Next day
he was unwell, and sent for her to come
to him. He then, it is alleged, went to
bed, where he awaited her. What took
, place at the interview has never been made
, public, but the result was that Lady Itch
, borne accepted Orton rs her son and made
, an allowance to him for the support Of his
: family
Returning to London, the claimant an
, nounced himself as Sir Roger Charles Itch.
borne, and at once instituted proceedings
, in Chancery for the possession ipf the estates
: Acting with extraordinary effrontery. he
: travelled through the country, collecting
, witnesses, and gathering information re.
spect'ng Tichborne affairs. The family
failed to recognize him, but he found ad
herents among persons who were connect
ed in various capacities with the Tichbornt
family, and with others who were familiar
5 with Roger Tichborne while residing a
, Sir Edward Doughty's or serving in the
army. In March, 1871, Lady Tichbornt
died, and the claimant was thus deprived
, of pecuniary support and the most impor
tant witness of all. He did not, however
l shrink from the ordeal which awaited him
The civil suit to recover possession of th'
t property began May 10, 1871, and contin
J ued until March in the following year
The claimant was examined and his evi
3 dence was sustained by several witnesse
:. of unimpeachable character. His plausi
: BILE case was, however, overturned by th'
e long succession of witnesses for the defens
: who pronounced him to be an impostor
! the decisive evidence against him was evi
e IDENTIFY that of Lord Bellew who swore tina