The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-08-22
+" Lord Gordon Gordon''.-.His Exten-
siye Confidence Operations.

dence. Headingly, in Manitoba. Two
English detectives arrested him and he
promised to 60 quietly with them if they
would not 60 through the United States.
While in his room preparing for the
journey he blew out his brains with a
pistol. Gordon was about five feet eight
or nine inches high, of light build. with
short black hair, black side whiskers,
bold, overhanging forehead, small feat,
ures and small gray eyes. He dressed
quietly and in good taste. He was nrst
brought to public notice in America in
the spring of 1872, when the English
stockholders of the Erie Railway Com
pany, taking advantage of the death of
Col. Fisk, tried to gain possession of the
road. Jay Gould was sorcly pressed, and
heard through Mrs. William Bclden, wife
of Risks former partner, of Gordon, who
was represented to be an English noble
man directly controlling $50 ,000, 900 of
stock in the company belonging to him.
self and other foreign shareholders and
indirectly controlling $20,00O,00O more.
Gordon became acquainted with Mrs.
Bcldcn in Minnesota, whittier she had
gone for her health, and where he claimed
to be engaged in closing bargain with
the Northern Pacific Railway Company
for Il million acres of land Gould cred
tied his professions, particularly after
meeting him in the company of Horace
Greeley and Col. Thomas A. Scott. Cor
don did not distinctly claim the title of
Lord but gave the impression that he was
of noble blood. Gould and Greeley, how
ever, believed him to be a Lord, and he let
them think so. lie was introduced to
Horace Greeley in February by John V.
Sears, formerly one OF Mr. Grcclcy's en-
ploycs. The introduction was effected
ON the representation that Gordon was
deeply interested in emigration and colo
nization movements. Sears said that his
friend was Il heavy stakeholder in the
Erie Road, and that he had seen the
shares: Gordon, in his conversations
with Mr.. Greeley, confirmed this, and
added that not only was he heavily in
tcrcstcd in Eric, but that he had friends
among tho British aristocracy who were
also heavily interested. Tic spoke of
Mr.. Gould's able management of the
road, and limited to Mr.. Greeley his de-
sire that an arrangement might be CT
fcctcd between himself and his friends
and Mr.. Gould, whereby the lattcr's
services might be retained. On March
MIR. Greeley and Col. Scott came to
New York together from Philadelphia,
and brcakfastcd, on their arrival, with
Gordon, in the lattcr's apartment in the
metropolitan Hotel. There the Colonel
was introduced to the noble Lord. While
they were still eating Jay Gould's card
was handed to Gordon by a waiter.
Gould and Gordon were introduced, and
the conversation turned on Erie. Cor
don said that he held certificates for over
10000 shares of Eric stock which had not
been transferred to his name on the
books of tho company, and stated upon
what terms he was willing to cooperate
with Gould. The terms were agreed to-
On the Monday following George
Crouch and Gen. Sickles made their mem
orablc descent upon the Grand Opera
House. Gould made Il determined fight,
but was driven into his private office,
which he barricadcd. On the following
day he resigned the Presidency of the
road, and soon after went out of the
Board of Directors.
But Gould had perfect confidence in
Gordon, and did not despair Backed
ny the lattcr's interest, he supposed that
nc might be able to GUST Gen. Dix and
his party and again take his place as Pres
llcnt. He called upon Gordon to inter-
fcrc in his behalf. Gordon pretended
that he did not wish to jcopardize the in
tcrcsts of his friends. lie said that the
foreign stockholders were suspicious of
tho oil companies, rolling mills and other
collateral organizations connected with
the Eric Road. lie thought that if he
could secure stock in each one of these
companies it would be good thing, as
he could then investigate the condition
OF each company, and report the result to
his friends in England. He had no doubt
in his own mind that they were all right,
put nc did not want to compromise his
friends among the nobility until he could
assure them on his own personal knowl-
edge. MIR. Gould was so thoroughly sat-
isticd that he placed in Gordon's hands
2OO 81 900 grcenbacks and shares in the
various collateral companies amounting
to 1000 more, making $500, 900 in all,
that Gordon might investigate the state
or the companies Us suggested, and in
ducc the nobility who held Erie stock to
come to GOuld's rescue and GUST Gen
Dix. Gordon took the 100000. He
tallcd to carry out his promises, how
ever, and returned neither stock nor
money. Gould then contrivcd plan to
brighten Gordon into returning him his
property. lie employed Beldcn to come
upon him suddenly at his rooms in the
Metropolitan Hotel and tell him that he
was to be arrested for fraud unless he
returned everything forthwith. lie told
him that Gould was in all adjoining room
with VIM. NJ. Tweed, Chief of Police
kclso and Justice Shandlcy. Gordon
held out for some time and at length
yielded.
On the 9th of April Gordon was ar
rested at the suit Of Gould for fraudu-
icntly obtaining from him securities on
the prctcxt of a purchase of land in
Chappaqua. The late Horace F. Clark
and Marshall &. Roberts became his
surctles in the sum of $7 900. His trial
occupied many weeks, being adjourned
again and again. He testified that he
crkncw his father and was Lord only
ny courtesy" One fine morning his
name was called in court, and he did not
appear. lie had packed up his satchel
three days before and had vanishcG An
attachment was issued for his arrest by
his bondsmcn, and the detectives set to
work to find him. About the end of
June, 1873, he was tracked to Manitoba
near Fort Garry. Efforts were then made
TO persuade him to step on American
SOIL, but Gordon was wary. On the
4th OF July the Minneapolis police
armed with a transcript of the bail bond
were sent to Manitoba to arrest him
After little search they found him, and
ne was soon made drunk. They then
started with him for Minnesota. While
the party were making their preparations
Gordon became somewhat sobered, and
managed to send word to friend that he
was being kidnapped. The party, when
within two miles Of the boundary line
were suddenly surprised by a SQUAD OF
Manitoba infantry, acting as a body