American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-22
/" Lord Gordon GOrdOn"---His Exten-
siyc Confidence Operations.

, THE notorious Lord Gordon Gordon
shot himself OH Saturday last at his resi-
dence, Headingiy, in Manitoba. Two
English detectives arrested him and he
promised to go quietly with them if they
would not go through the tpited states.
While in his room preparing for the
Journey he blew out his brains with Il
pistol Gordon was about five feet eight
or nine inches high, of light build with
short black hair, black side whiskers, Il
bold, overhanging forehead, small feat
ures and small gray eyes. He dressed
quietly and in good taste. lie was first
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 sorely pressed, and
heard through Mrs. William Bclden, wife
of Fisk's former partner, of Gordon, who
was represented to be an English noble
man directly controlling $4,000, 900 of
stock in the company belonging to him
self and other foreign shareholders and
indirectly controlling S20,000,000 more.
Gordon became acquainted with Mrs.
Belden in Minnesota, whittier she had
gone for her health, and where he claimed
TO be engaged in closing IA bargain with
the Northern Pacific Railway Company
for 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 Il Lord, and he let
them think so. He was introduced to
Horace Greeley in February by John V.
of Mr.
plOyes. The Introduction was effected
on the representation that Gordon was
deeply interested in emigration and colo
nization movements. Sears said that his
friend was a 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
terested in Erie, but that he had friends
among the British aristocracy who were
also heavily interested. He spoke of
Mr.. Gould's able management of the
road and limited to Mr.. Greeley his de-
sire that an arrangement might be eff
fected between himself and his friends
and Mr.. Gould, whereby the latter's
services might be retained. On March
8 0lr. Greeley and Col. Scott came to
New York together from Philadelphia,
and breakfasted, on their arrival, with
Gordon, in the latter'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 waiter.
Gould and Gordon were introduced, and
the conversation turned on Erie. Cor
don said that he held certificates for over
60, 900 shares of Erie stock which had not
been transferred to his name on the
books of the 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
orable descent upon the Grand Opera
House. Gould made a determined fight,
but was driven into his private office
which he barricaded. 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
by the latter's interest, he supposed that
he might be able to GUST Gen. Dix and
his party and again take his place as Pres
ident. He called upon Gordon to inter
fere in his behalf. Gordon pretended
that he did not wish to jeopardize the in
terests of his friends. He said that the
foreign stockholders were suspicious of
the oil companies, rolling mills and other
collateral organizations connected with
the Erie Road. He thought that if he
could secure stock in each one of these
companies it would be a good thing, as
he could then investigate the condition
of each company, ana report the result to
his friends in England. He had no doubt
in his own mind that they were all right,
but he did not want to compromise his
friends among the nobility until he could
assure them on his own personal knowl-
edge. Mr.. Gould was SO thoroughly sat
istied that he placed in Gordon's hands
200 81 900 greenbacks and shares in the
various collateral companies amounting
to $500 900 more, making $500, 900 in all,
that Gordon might investigate the state
of the companies as suggested, and in
ducc the nobility who held Erie stock to
come to Gouldfs rescue and Dust Gen
Dix. Gordon took the $500 600. He
failed to carry out his promises, how
ever, and returned neither stock MOI
money. Gould then contrived plan to
frighten Gordon into returning him his
property. He employed Belden 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
him that Gould was in an adjoining room
with VIM. Nj. Tweed, Chief of Police
Kelso and Justice Shandley. Gordon
held out for some time and at length
yielded.
On the 9th of April Gordon was ar
rested at the suit of Gould tor fraudu
lently obtaining from him securities on
the preteXt of ii purchase of land in
Chappaqua. The late Horace +. Clark
and Marshall G.. Roberts became his
sureties in the sum of $31 900. His trial
occupied many weeks, being adjourned
again and again. He testified that he
never knew his father and was a Lord only
by courtesy" One fine morning his
name was called in court, and he did not
appear. He had packed up his satchcl
three days before and had vanished. 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 II transcript of the bail bond
were sent to Manitoba to arrest him
After Il little search they found him, and
he was soon made drunk. They then
started with him for Minnesota. While
the party were making their preparations
Gordon became somewhat sobercd, and
managed to send word To friend that ht
was being kidnapped. The party, when
within two miles of the boundary line
were suddenly surprised by II squad OF
Manitoba infantry, acting as body
guard to a number of policemen from
that place, and Gordon was set free. Hi,
captors were put in irons and taken I,
Fort Garry, and kept in confinement fol
many weeks. After much trouble tn,
United States Government procured thcil
relcase.-N y. Sun.