Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
Cooper,s Last Crime.


RODE TO HOUNDS, DAzzIgD TIE NATIVES AND
SwINDLEp THE TRADESsiES.
London. Oct. 95th 1Ss9.-The trial and conyic-
ton OF VIM. Ringgold Cooper, alias Randall
Cooper to-day. at the Old Bailey, ends an in-
terestipg chapter In the life OF this daring
criminal. 1t would be dangerously prophetic TO
sentence he will surely be heard of again in
some part OF the world in some guise. To look
at him in the prisoners box one would never
imagine him to be anything but handsome,
looking nor fop in his dress yet with the care
ruily neat appearance and courtly manners OF
perfect man OF the world. The sensation which
this man has created in Hemel Hampstead
and the neighboring towns is acute to a degree
of painfulness. For two years he lived in that
tSwn noted figure among the best people and
cans which English country people are not usu-
ally guilty Of He rented a furnished house of
MT: Day; solicitor Of thirty years standing in
Hemel Hampstead, and through this gentleman
extended his acquaintance gradually until he
thoroughly established himself. He spent his
money freely and was everywhere honest in his
dealings. Is MIR. Day, who did much business for
him In the way of selling and buying stock for
him, testified His wife was good entertainer
and they gave frequent dinners, and were In
turn entertained by the residents of Hemel
Hampstead. 1t pleased his fancy to call him.
self the grandson OF the famous novelist whose
cooks doubtless had an increased circulation In
the local library on account of the supposed re-
latfonship.
IN THE HUNTING FIELD.
For two seasons Cooper hunted with the gen
tlemen farmers, and was noted as dashine
rider. He was certainly most ACCOMPLISHED
horseman, and wonderful stories are told OF his
rare feats In the saddle He aston'shed the
small boys and stable men by trick familiar to
MeXicanS and Indians, that OF suddenly sliding
over on one side of his horse out OF sight and
thus riding considerable distance; also that of
picking up cap from the ground while his
horse was on full gallop. He was one OF those
active, nervous individuals who prefer to vault
over gate to going through it, and it is said
that considerable crowd used to collect at the
railway station to see him take the train for
London, for he invariably came late and had to
rush for II. randall Cooper has missed his
train" nefghboring shopman would say as the
railway whistle shriekedeut its signal for start
ing; but before the words are all spoken a
brougham dashes up In front of the station, and
before 1t fairly stops little figure springs out
and bounds through the door and up the long
stairs, six steps at a time, out on the platform
as only the end of the retreating train is sen.
He catches II just at the bottom of the platform,
springs on anywhere holding on by the door
handle. safety rail. anything, opens door and
climbs in amid cheer from those at the sta
ton. Once he only had time to catch hold one
of the buffers at the tail of the train. but he
elung Oh and walked around to the side and got
into the guards carriage. He attended church
with great punctuality and was a generous
giver to the parish poor, and In fact for two
years maintained standing of the highest re-
Spectability. In May last he moved into a new
and larger house and furnished it himself. His
new landlord, Mr.. Goodwin, spent CT 600 on the
stable of the estate alone before his fastidious
tenant would sign the lease, but he did it more
willingly because OF the wealth and liberality of
the American gentleman. Then there came up
from London nearly &c., 900 worth of furniture,
obtained at one OF the largest and most fashion
able manufactures in the English metropolis
To be sure it has since turned out that Cooper
obtained the furniture on the "time system
(Which Is taking an article and paying for 1t In
ihStalmentsl, and that he only paid abour 81 800
on the whole, so that 1t has gone back to the
dealer Other large London firms We're less for
tunate, for cooper completed the fitting OF his
house and stables to great extent on credit.
East Lodge is in the hands of the bailifTs, and
his butcher. baker and green-grocer are wonder
ing whether they will ever get their little bills
settled. Cooper has balance of $3.50 in the
Band of England, where he opened an account
last June, soon after his forgery there. Besides
this amount, Glyn, Mills & Co. have a considera-
BILE number OF Californian and other shares,
which VIII be handed over to American owners,
II they are the proceeds OF the San Francisco
forgery in 1877.
WEAVING HIS PLANS
There Is no doubt that Cooper formed de-
hberate plan of wholesale forgery when he went
TO live in Hemel Hampstead. Getting into
business or friendly relations with large num-
Der of the wealthy residents of that that town,
he of course made himself familiar with their
handwriting and was thus able to carry on his
Infamous trade at leisure. One Of the most re-
@e aSs phases of Ws s mans ar soo
t1nued to live In that city for months after his
forgery at the Navy department. right under
the eyes Of the police and in such rapid" style
After his San Francisco venture he came.
almost directly, to England, settled imme.
diately.early In October, 1s77-at Hemel
William r. Cooper to Randall Cooper He
boldly deposited the stolen stocks at Gyms,
where he became very well known. In Subse-
quent forgeries he placed implicit confidence in
his wigs and false moustaches and whiskers,
which he reckleCSly bought at fashionable
wigmaker's near Oxford street, instead of going
to Paris, as any well-regulated thief would have
done. The wigmaker not only knows his GUS
the defence of mistaken identity fell to the
ground. And finally, at the last moment, when
he knows that his forgery has been detected,
and when the detectives despair because their
bank and attempts to face it down. He
would probably have succeeded, too, had not
the detectives been at hand to resist his in
dignant protests. Convicted week ago, his
received only five years 1 have told you by
cable about his remarkable speech to the magiS-
trate. To one not knowing his previous history
of hardened crime it would have been most
a word of truth In his piteous story of tempta-
ton and shame. But one could but admire his
remarkable acting. Every sentence was del1v-
cred with distinctness and force, and every word
was well chosen. While one acquainted with
his life must have been thunderstruck by his
shameless audacity, 1t could not be said that he
overdid his part. 1t was simply perfect. do
notgknow whether the Sergeant was acquainted
have no doubt that the forger's term OF tmpris-
Onment was considerably shortened by his ap-
peaL-[Neco York Herald To-day.
WANTED BIGGER CHuRCH.-There is one
man in the Far West who does not believe in the
total depravity of new mining camps. This is
Baptist minister in Denver, who is holding over
the heads Of his people an offer of s. 900 a year
O na and ttra taniy,r