New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-31
TRACING A SWINDLER.
GEORGE C. RANDoLpH's FORMER LIFE,

GEORGE C. RANDOLPH'S FORMER LIFE
A GRANDSON OF MRS. GENERAL EATON ACCUSED
OF rxroRTING MoNHY-HIs CAREER IN GOV
EMINENT sERYICE-sTORIEs OF BLACKMAILING
OPERATIONS IN THE WEST IN WHICH 1T Is BE-
LEVIED HE TOOK PART.
George C.. Randolph, who was held last Sat
urday by Justice Bixby on charge OF extoriihg
money from william Simpson, jr., the Chathain-st'
pawnbroker, is still imprisoned at Essex Market,
unable TO furnish bail in $4,000 pending his
examination. Several afidavits in support OF
an application for wrts OF certiorar ana naOeaS COT
pus have been prepared, aud 1t is probable that MS
counsel Mr. Hummel, will make this application O-day
to Judge Daniels, in Supreme Court Chambers
though it is understood that all parties are now trying
TO hush the matter and settle it without further pub
lefty These adavs, it is cOntended, will show that
Mr. Randolph was fully justified in the threats
he ms de- The prisoner instructed by his counsel sun
refu. IS to say anything about the case anu Mfs
Randolph Is equally retcen Little c0ud De learneu VI
the recent life OF either. Mr. Simpson CURLY retuseu
yesterday to give any information When asked
his previous acquaintance with tho prisoner and DIS
wife he said they had first met early in June OF the
present year. Before Justice Bixby he said that the
visits of Randolph and himself upon Miss Kimberly con-
nued for some time previous to her marriage last De
cember
From all information that be obtained. IL appears
that few years ago Randolph was well and favoraby
Known IN social anu pOlltlCdl wv" q"
and this city Though he has not been seen
since his arrest by any Of the employees IN
the Post Office in this city, they unhesaungy state
from the description given OF him. and the fact that one
of his hands disabled that the prisoner has given his
right name, and that in 1869 he held cerksp In the
Post Office under Postmaster Jones. Randolph is a
grandson of Mrs. General Eaton, well known
in Washington and famous during the Administration
of President Jackson, the wife Of his Secretary
OF War. His within recent years reopened the
scandal which had attached TO the early life OF Mrs.
Eaton through connection with President Jackson
by clipping with the man with whom her grandmother
had contracted a second marriage Randolph
was employed as distribution clerk in the Post
Office for about four years. sHe made few friends In the
department While there nothing positively irregu
young man, and as disposed TO shirk all work. When
Postma James tooK charge OF the office, through
in his iuattenon to work. he allowed TO resign In
April 1873 lie returned TO Washington ana for time
was employed IN one OF tho Government depart
10 Teinstote him i'm the POST Office I'm this city,
but without success OF Raudolphs movements, subse
quent 10 the FAN OF 1873. nothing positive can be
learned except that among acquantances MS character
In the Spring OF 1874 man giving the name OF George
Randolph and whose descrtiOD So closely resembles
that OF the prisoner officers inclined 10 believe
thar IL the Randolph now in custody appeared az
very attractive appearance whom he introduced rs his
best society of The place Mrs Randolph attracted many
a0mirers whose visits more than encouraged by
her husband. Among others Deacon Tarr. the
owner OF the celebrated Tarr farm, whose great
wealth made him a welcome visitor. Upon the
occasion Of one OF the deacOn's visits, Mr..
Randolph calleds away upon pressing busI-
ness, and returning Unexpectedly, found that the
Deacon, asserted had fallen INTO the trap lad for
him. Exposure was threatened and avoided
by the transfer OF check for $4,000, and
with this amount Randolph and the woman
left the city. Their character was soon after
made known. George Randolph, soon aftcrward, was
heard Of again in another city OF Western Pennsylvania
AT this time he prevailed upon member OF BANKRUPT
firm to sign the firm name upon check, upon which
Randolph pretended 10 obtain the money. The
merchant was then Informed by Randolph tat
he had acted Illegally and, 70 prevent exposure,
paid Randolph Of money at different times,
until the facts becoming known, 10 avoid arrest. Ran
dOlph was obliged 10 flee.
There is no positive evidence yet TO connect tho
prisoner with the matchmaking operations In Pennfyl
vania but the similarity not only IN name and appear
but In the different transactions Civ good reason
for the belief among detective officers that the prisoner,
George g. Randolph and the George Randolph known IN
yauia and the person. - Is under
stood that Simpson first made the acquaintance al the
woman when she TO ms Office 10 pawn some dia-
mOnds He invited her into his private Office and pre-
vailed on her meet him next day. The alleged bus
band followed and trapped bun, and from time q time
has obtained from simpson $4,000 as hush money