The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02
Adventures of Louis Macmillan
Van Eeten, the Forger.
He Attempts Suicide by
LaudanuIn.
CHANCES OF RESTORATION.
History of His Crimes and His
Romantic Career.

be long remembered In the police annals OF this
coun tryso prolific In its record OF forgerles,
ders and criminal adventures OF every kind. lie
was man OF marvellous powers; he possessed a
wonderful personal magnetism; his brain de-
lighted in combinations which should belong
rather 10 the lovers Of chess-onIy he used men as
pawns and knights, ana not the 'graveu
images that should represent the game.
The world was to him a vast cheauer-
board in the game Of life, and ''men
and women merely players" He was born OF
parents IN the upper station OF lie in Antwerp
Belgium, and 1t is the saddest CONNIE ntary on
his unlawful courses that his old gray-haired
father was ashamed OF him. His education was
OF the most liberal character; all advantages OF
tutors and governors were Afforded him, and when
he outstrlpped the youth Of Antwerp in his studies
congratulations poured in upon his parents, who
little dreamed that the brilliant youth would
render himself famous only by his crimes.
Alas that such heaven-born genius should
be buried in dlshonored grave
At the age Of twenty-five Louis Max Van Eeten
seemed to be the favorite OF fortune. In the old
cathedral city Of Antwerp no honor seemed too
high for MIN to achieve, no mercantile success too
grand. But there was an odd humOr always cher
ished by the brilliant adventurer and that was
that a "pent-up Utica confined his powers" in the
city OF his birth, and he sailed the FL Dorado
OF all bright spirits-New York. The New World
TO him con tained boundless opportunities Tor
achievements undreamed OF in the steady old city
OF his nativity and So bidding farewell TO old as
sociatOns and the conservative influences OF the
Old World, he arrived in the metropolis of thus
country about twenty years ago. Instead OF de-
voting himself to legitimate mercantile operations
he seemed, from the commencement, to believe in
the power OF chicane over that Of honest effort,
and we note the result. He brought to New York
two carrOes OF miScellan cons rOOda and seemed a
have made a successful venture. He encased
in the panOply of responsibility In the shape OF
letters from the Oldest firms in Belgium, and other
parts OF Europe, the authenticity of which, OF
course, was not suspected, and at once entered
into the society or the cite OF New York, who
were only too glad TO welcome dis
tlnguished foreigner with unitarian ideas
He was bland of speech; his manners Detokened
knowledge OF polished society, 10 fact, be was az
a In all those delicate arts which WOO The senses
ana lull suspicious TO sleep. With the fair he
was an especial avorite, and no distingus reunion
compete without the presence OF the hon Of the
hour. He Was long in discovering in the daughter
Of one OF the Schmidt iamiy-of the old Knicker-
booker stock-an affinity; and although the young
glrl mentioned was engaged TO very worthy
gentleman to be married It was not long before
the destinations OF the young Belgian suppanted
married.
The wedding took place with all the eclot attend
BRIDE and groom sailed Tor Europe, followed by the
Congratulations OF all their friends and relatives
save one. This gentleman brother Vt the bride,
hao his suspicious aroused rs TO the character of
the husband, and these terrible susp cions were
confirmed by the knowledge OF some fraudulent
transactions which had come TO his knowledge,
and were directly traceabe To the desroom,
VINO had so recently carried away his sister in 50
triumphant manner Armed with the pools OF
the young mans crimlnallty he ioiiowed the
iSynE the steam ys arec 1nsf
rIvlng in Europe he discovered that
every credentiai, every letter Of recommendation
Van Eeten had brought TO America was forged.
Sick AT heart, he knew not what to do, bat at
length resolved to go to Antwerp TO discover, If
iOrger's family. Here he was met by the rather of
the cuiprt-a fine old man, with many sorrows
his sOn--tnis same Louis Macmillan Van Eeten-
had ruined him. and well-nigh brought his gray
hairs IN sorrow to the grave.
Tracing the welded couple from point to point,
this bro .her at length found them IN London,
where the man was living under an assumed
name. Concealment Is the nrSt sign OF guilt. How
TINS brothers. heart was wtung when lie dlscov-
cred his pet sister to be the lie companion OF a
men can only be known 10 him. he persuaded
Van Eeten to come back to New York, and assured
hun II he meant to lead an honest life that
would assist him to do So Tne welded pair re-
turned 10 this city; the relatives held sort OF
Europe where affairs OF social import are dis.
cussed; but such was the craft Of Van Eeten that
before the brother arrived he lthe cupJit) mad
persuaded the iamfy that he was O prosecuted
man and that the cnivalrous brother was hound
Ing him without cause. Now comes
THE SECOND ACT In THE DRAMA.
1t was not long before an establishment was
started in Bowling Green. Onces were sumptu-
ousiy lifted up, with Van Eeten and company,
bankers" "van Eeten 4 Co., European agents."
vessels wanted" &C., upon the plate glass WIN
dows, proclaimed to the passers by that another
great firm had consented TO open agency IN
New YORK, to connect their business with Europe.
Owners OF vessels-lt was dun time-were anx-
ious to charter their ships to sail TO Hong Kong,
Liverpool sr Cape of Good Hope. Van Eeten was
ready to charter them all. one day conmissi N
olinha a Cont
"Do you know Van Eeten l. 90. ?,
"Why {" was tue response oil the willy old ship
per, vino was looking out himself for chance to
employ his idle vessels.
because have Just chartered ship to them to
"Don't do II" SAID the old ship owner, "they
me merchant left the ofHce determined to let
Van Eeten Co. severely alone, but he had not
gone five minutes before the shrewd ~ south
street shIpper-thus learning Van Eeten wanted
vessels-went over and chartered three yes els to
the hrm Tor the West Indies.
Before two weeks Van Eeten Co. had twenty
ships chartered, sent out to various ports with
stone, ballast or rosin, or some such STUFF, and,
mo Was ne ,raio 10 owners until tne
before the victimlzed ship owners discovered they
were at the mercy of the swlndlers, and IN order
TO be relieved OF their cOntracts-Of return VOYAGES
with all attendant expeuses-tney compromised
with Van Eeten h Co. and paid them about $4OO 600
During all these weary years-years full OF heart
burninss and notifications to the devoted young
vile anu neT ihulIy-tii!s NAL puTsueu MS Hetafi-
Gus practices. He was incarcerated in Ludlow
Street jail for eighteen months, and after that fire.
quented the iasnionab.e watering places such as
Saratoga and Lake Mahopac, by his plausibllitv
and great intelligence rendering himself
pleasant companion and gaming the friendship OF
some OF our best citizens ABOUT FIVE years ago.
however, commenced a series OF crimes, the con.
summation OF which ended in
HIS DISGRACE AND FLIGHT,
He had been discovered by Captain Thomas
Sampson, OF the detective force, whose special
duties lie In the detection OF Wall street frauds IN
endeavorlng to pass raised checks on Fisk IL
Hatcn, the bankers. He was arrested on this oc-
caslOn, but such was his address and craft that
the case was not made out against him and he
was released. Detective Sampson was absent
irvm the city Tor two days short time Afterwards
and during this time Van Eeten went TO Jay
Cooke Co. and sold them a 81, 900 United states
bond genuine) aud received their cheek lor IT,
which, of course, was properly certified, &C. he