Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-05-29


Christian people. A very large element
in the mass consisted OF gentlemen who
were members of the clergy-gentle-
men regarded the holiest among the
holy, and men in whom there was no
guile. However, appearances are not
unfrequently deceptive, and SO it hap
pened in this case. Among the clerical
gentlemen was one OF peculiarly sane
titled look, with an immaculate white
tie, and shiny, sleek looking suit of
black. He claimed to be from Texas,
aud at the Convention he gave the
name of w. E. Copeland. 1t was so
recorded and so published in all the
| dailes of Wednesday, May 18th. But
this reverend gentleman had several
aliases, for bis ways were dark and his
tracks were base, and he desired to sail
under false colors, that he might the
more successfully accomplish his wicked
designs.
On the lst of May, he reached Balti-
more, and registered at Barnum's hotel,
writing the name of w. L. Copeland,
Massachusetts. While at Barnum's he
placed himself under the manipulations
of a skillful barber, and was effectually
denuded of long, flowing, black beard.
He remained under the spacious roof Of
this hotel but three or four days when
he remarked to the clerk that he would
like TO leave, but that Committee of
the Young Mems Christian Association
would settle his bill. Having the ap-
pearance of a gentleman and wearing
the garb Of soldier of the Cross, his
word was regarded as truthful, and he
was permitted to depart.
We next find the reverend gentleman
registering at tie Carrollton Hotel, but
this time accompanied bya handsome
young woman, who was very handsome
ly dressed and who he claimed was the
wife of his bosom, and the partner OF
his joys and sorrows. lie wrote upon
the register in his usual bold, symme-
trical hand, George Warren and wife,
Boston, Mass" The supposed married
couple were ut once assigned to an eligi-
BILE room, and remained tor couple Of
days.
The second day after registering at
the Carrollton, the reverend Copeland
alias Warren, reported that his wife
would leave the hotel that afternoon
and that he would not return, but that
Mrs. Warren would settle. A carriage
was procured in the'afternoon, and Mrs.
Warren departed, but failed to pay the
little bill due by her reverend husband
and self She promised, however, that
she would do so upon reaching her des-
tination, which proved to be Hollins
street, near Poppleton. Upon reaching
her home, the young lady darted into
the dwelling, and refused to answer the
ring ofthe door bell, despite the Wig
orous pulls of the Jehu who had driv en-
her thither.
The driver had no recourse but to
return to the Carrollton and report the
hotels and his own loss, for that the
whole affair had now assumed the pro-
portions of frst-class swindle was too
apparent, to say nothing of the imposi.
ton which had enabled the alleged
clerical scoundrel to palm upon the ho-
tel an unmarried woman as lis wife,
and to occupy the same apartments
for nearly two days.
The Chief Clerk Of the Carrollton re-
ceived the unpleasant tidiHgs with feel
ings of mingled anger and Indignation,
and determined, if possible, to ferret
out the reverend imposter. lie direc-
ted the driver to proceed instantly to
the dwelling on Hollns street, and
here he succeeded in procuring an in
terview with the blushing Mrs Warren,
but Mrs. for day and a night only.
She said she met the rererend individual
at an art gallery for the first time. lie
was of extremely pleasant address, and
introduced himself by asking her if she
was IN artist! After a long converse
ton, during which, he was extremely
complimentary and insinuating, she con-
sented to become bis wife, and agreed
to 90 with him to the hotel, prelimi-
nary to the celebration Of the nuptials.
With first one excuse and then another,
he deferred the marriage, but promised
to act an honorable part, and having
placed herself in his tolls, she saw no
other alternative but submission On
the second day she was informed that
the nuptials would not be celebrated at
the hotel, but must take place at her
residence, promising to meet her there
at certain hour.
Horrible to tell, he had not only base
ly deceived her in other respects, but
had cruelty deserted her and LETT the
board bill at the CaTollton unpaid
She never laid eyes upon him after he
left her at the hotel The young girl
seemed TO feel very keenly her disgrace
and her loneliness, and wept bitter,
scalding tears of regret. Her inveigle-
ment was all attributable to the smooth,
oily tongue of the reverend scoundrel,
and she felt that it would prove to her
lifelong lesson.
1t has been ascertained since his de-
partrre, that the Rev. Copeland, from
Texas, and subsequently Warron, of
Massachusetts,, came very near being
caught in lie soon after the opening
OF the Sunday School Convention. A
postal card came TO hand which he
claimed, and this revealed the fact that
he is from Raleigh, n. c., or somewhere
in that vicinity.
A few days previous to the sitting Of