Connecticut western news., 1879-07-30
A MAN OF MANY CRIMES.
THE WRETCH WHO TRIED TO DESTROY THE DREw-TRAvELING UNDER THREE NAMES AND swINDLING MANUFACTURERS IN NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT.

Capt. Roe, of the steamer Drew, does not think that the man who is under arrest for causing the explosion on his boat is insane. "I think" said the Captain, "that the fellow was certain that when the passengers heard the ex, plosion they would rush from their rooms and leave their valuables for him to carry off; but he was greatly mis- taken, for the greater number of the passengers, instead of running from their berths, remained indoors. I do not know whether he had any confederates with him or not, but one thing is certain, if he had they took good care to steer clear of him after the trouble"
 Henry Evans, alias A. l.. Barraud, alias Louis Ramel, alias Henri Cour- celles, who is now in jail in Albany, charged with attempting to blow up the steamer Drew of the Peoples Line, has strange and checkered history. He is about thirty-fve years of age and of slight build. His complexion is dark. Large and very dark gray eyes, with heavy lids, a hooked nose, we'll set mouth, flat chin, towering square fore head, are the only characteristics of his face. In December last there was pub ished some alleged details of his early life, furnished by himself when in the Easton (Pa.) Jail, on 8 charge of swim ding. His parents came to this coun- try about thirty-6ve years ago, from Switzerland. When Barraud was still in his infancy he carried on his pecca- diloes. In 1865, when only nineteen years of age, he astonished his friends by appearing in the uniform of Major General in the United States Army. He exhibited what purported to be com- mission signed by the President. This document deceived great many people, and it was not until it was sent to Wash ington that the signature was found to be 8 forgery. In 1866 his father died, and by the advice of some of the friends of the family, Barraud was sent to the Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island. His mother was then residing in France, having left for that country shortly after her husbands death, and at her request, in the year 1877, gentleman obtained the consent of the authorities and got her son off the Island and took him over to France, where he was consigned to another 1unatic asylum. He managed to escape, and then commenced his wan- derings over the world. Early in the following year he made his appearance in New York, and for embedding lot of crosses, rosaries, etc., which he had obtained from peddler, was accommo- dated with three years free board in the Penitentiary. He next turned up as "civil engineer " and "director of the San Juan mines, of Arequita, Peru"
 Last fall several newspapers in Con- necticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York contained reference to an in- dividual who went about the country, living by trick and device. This was Barraud, but he used variety of names. His plan was to seek out large manufac- turers of machinery, and announcing himself as the director of Peruvian mines, give large order. After being hospita- bly, entertained he went away rejoioing, and almost always before he was consid- cred in any other light than patron and benefactor. The Grand Jury of Northampton County, Pa., found an in- dictment against him last winter for ab- sconding without settling little bill at hotel in Easton. He enjoyed the hos pitalities of the Northampton County boarding-house at Easton, Pa., until the 16th inst, when he was liberated. He then came to New York. There are no new developments yet in the explosion on the steamer Drew, in which he is implicated. Barraud was visited by a reporter, who found him quite con- fortable in the Albany Jail. He denied any connection with the steamer explo- sion, and said he would be able to prove his innocence.