The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-07-17
A FoRcER'S CAREER.

William Z. Gray, who has just
been taken to New York and impris-
oned in the tombs, by a nine years
chase by the most famous detectives
in the world, has a criminal career
that is remarkable even in comparison
with the most notable Of society's rob
beers. His father the Rev. E. II.
Gray, was a native of Brdport, in
Addison county, and for many years
resident of that place; and was
subsequently Q86l-69) chaplain Of
the United States senate. He was a
graduate of Middlebury college, and
his now notorious son was also col
lege bred man, and had before him
every prospect Of useful and hon
orable life. After leaving college the
young man was clerk in the treasu-
ry department at Washington until
1866, when he voluntarily resigned.
The next year he went to New York
armed with letters Of recommendation
from Gen. Butler, Senators Fessen-
den and Morrill, and other dignitaries,
lie was then %, fineyoung fellow Of
correct habits, who passed as a mod
ell of virtue. Learning the secrets
of stock brokerage, he was soon in
business for himself, and at once be-
gan his adroit villainies. He delt in
stolen bonds, and his fathers purse
had to release him from Ludlow street |
Jail, family influence covering up other
swindles from the public knowledge.
In November Of 1869, Gray gave
out that he expected legacy ofS5O,-
600 from q rich aunt, and, on the
strength of this and $4,000 ready
cash he claimed to have, he launched
out in grand style as q heavy operator,
sailing under the firm name Of W. f.
Gray & Co., his partners beingunsus-
tpected ro9ues like himself. The gang
got hold of stolen New York State
bounty loan certificates, United States
bonds and some stocks, and raising
the certificate, they borrowed money
on them and on the bonds, through
reputable broker, Of nearly every lend
er in the city. At the very start Gray
nearly ended his career by borrowing
from j. Cooke & Co. on spurious
Government bonds, but, as he replac-
! ed them with genuine bonds and car
, ried himself as an innocent person inn
posed upon, they laughed at the de-
tective's suggestion to arrest one so
respectfully connected and endorsed.
In December, however, q suspicious
: cashier discovered that the bounty
| loan certificates were forgeries, though
, the president of the Manhattan bank
declared that they were as good as
gold. Gray was so cool and told 50
V plausible story, when confronted
e with the facts, that he was not taken
G into custody. Next day he disap-
+, peared, leaving eight firms $280,000
; out, and after hiding in the city for u
Il week, he left the country, and nothing
u was heard of him for two years.
During that time he was lording it
: magnifcently in England as James 2.
Morgan, nephew of George Peabody,
the millionaire philanthropist. With
forged letters of introduction from
United States Senators and other men
of distinction, he entered the highest
circles of society, and lavished mon
!. ey right and left, driving four black
5 imported American horses and dress
is ing magnifcently. AT dinner given
u the niece of Baron Rothschild, the
, rich young American made speech
lie on English finance that astonished the
IN monied magnates, and there was nc
y :, art of fashionable society he was not
g expert in. He was intimate with the
Of Duke of Edinburgh, and he might APP
S. parently have imposed on the English
"a nobility indefinitely if his money had
ta not failed. At that time a London
a. banker named Chatteris got Morgan
n. to go into partnership with his son.
is The boy was soon short fl5, 000.-
70 Spurious United States bonds carried
Al the information to New York officers
ct that this was the old offender Gray
~ and they crossed over to arrest him
y He was too sharp for them, however
N. anu dllSI lullluS " oOi d my onlC't
to Colorado silver mine at The Hague
re he turned up at Paris as Dr. Colletso,
III III the oculist. Being recognized, DR.
~ ~ Collctso sailed for this country to es
cape extradition from France, and af
ter swindling for time at Galveston
m Tex, he returned to London and go
% % 100000 on copper mine some on
5Hs else owned.
N 1t was when the last fraud was dis
q closed in 1876, after Grey was arrest
nj ed, that the English government re
70 70 fused to surrender him with WinsloV
and Brent, the Louisville forger, be
cause Secretary Fish would not prom
ng Use to try them only on the charge
lis named in the extradition papers,
ed When Gray could be had, he had fe
to be recognized in Edinburgh mont