The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-12
ARMY OEFICERS SUINDLED.
The Operations of the Count" III Cont at
Fort Laramie nnd Cheyenne.
CHEYENNE, May 1.-Thcre arrived in ou


CHEYENNE, May 1.-Thcre arrived in our
city n few days ago. as a prisoner. the Count
Di Cont." one Of tho most accomplished and
successful swindlers that have ever afflicted
tho Western frontier.
Early in last December n well-drossed mill
tary man, rather distinguS in appearance, at
tended mass in st. Mary's (Cathoic Church in
this city After tho services he sought an in
PRODUCTION to the pastor. the Rev. Father Hays.
and was introduced to him ms j. L. Cont. vet
erlnary surgeon Of the Third United States
Cavalry. and rs being visitor from Fort Lar
annie a Government post somo 03 miles north
OF this city. lie said that he was ono Of the
Commissioners Of the Italian Government to
the Centennial Exhibition: that he was n cap
tain in the regular Italian army and dovout
Catholic. Having worked his way successfully
into the confidence Of Father Hays Di Cont re-
turned to Fort Laramie. where he finished his
scheme Of deception. SO far as that post was
concerned.
1t seems that Di Cont had been enlisted into
the military service Of the United States Ms
private. but by his good department and cduca-
ton soon worked his way out OF the ranks to tho
position Of veterinary surgeon oftho Third Cav
airy. He representcd to the commanding OIL.
Ger. Col. Evans. that he had been an officer OF
rank In the Italian army. and now that he mad
gained n position in tho regiment he desired
quarters more suitable to his taste as he would
soon be Joined by his wife the sister Of the wife
of tho Adutant. General of the United States
army. Quarters were assigned to him, accord
ing to his request, and he purchased furniture
Of those officers who had furniture to sell. CIV
sundry sums Of money. Di Cont returned to
Cheyenne. ostcnsibly to meet his wife He again
great trouble. He said that he had wife lying
sick in the Sherman House. Chicago and that
| she was on her way to Join him in Cheyenne.
lie read to Father Hays despatch as follows:
Cmc,co, Dec ~. 1919
ELLA
hi Cont explained that he had sent the money.
and his wife was. no doubt. then on her way To
| Cheyenne. Shortly attcrward he appeared at
the residence Of the priest with another de-
| spatch: , =, ,y-s
Di Cont wrung his hands and wept floods of
| tears. He cravcd religious consolhtlou under
his Affections and received II. His sick wife in
| Chicago was a myth His telcgraphic de-
| spatches were written 10y himself at the Chcy-
| colored telegraph boy, and were delivered to
| the Count at the lnter-Ocean Hotel. the cQlored
| boy receiving ilfty cents for each despatch. In
| osition TO a handsome courtesan to per
senate his wife. She was to accompany him
| Chicago and 20 from there 10 Fort Laramie;
| there to ingratiate herself into the good Will
| and confidence OF the officers and enter into
scheme Of Matchmaking. SO well did the Italian
| rascal succeed in his scheme that Father Hays
| prepared Tor the reception OF tne lnNhuu WIG,
the devout Roman Catholic who objected to
| mingling with rough and W licked people at the
hotels. The latest del5caeies 81 the season son
husband seemed to be partly consoed.
The Count called on the woman who was to
personate his wife on the day appointed Tor the
| arrival Of the invalid from Chicago. but II Is
ton. and kicked the rascal out OF doors This
would have discouraged any ordinary rascal.
put % not 50 Win ~ Son arsd hS wSn, az Sheg and
| wrote this despatch; . NJ. =. ,s-a
DEAR HvssAsp. l am dying; come at once Your
Armed with this startling despatch. and ac-
| = hr Finh Cavalry lyho also tell a victim 70 ID
| Hays and begged him TO aid him TO go at once
70 bis wife. He pleaded. begged. and cried
fund fJt and % gave the mp9s,oT $50 and aud he de-
parted t. seek the bedside Of his dying wife.
Several weeks aiterward Father Hays became
I anxious not having heard anything directly or
indirectly from Di Cont. He sought Dr. Book Of
the Fifth Cavalry. and 10 him impaired his sus-
picions that Di Cont was fraud. The Doctor
| agreed with him. and mentioned tho TACT that
he had also loaned him sl25 A letter was sent
10 Fort Laramie 10 make inquiries. and pro-
ccedings were taken 10 seize the furniture. 6c.,
which hi Cont had purchased nCheYenne and
Fort Laramie; but II was too late lnvestga.
tion proved that hi Cont had swlndled
many persons IN IKE manner and had
| goi away with his gains. The yrtlms are
officers and enlisted men Of the Third and
| Fifth Regiments ~ cavalry. the post trader at
| Iort Laramie, furniture nhu ilQuoI uv1'lo -
this city hotel keepers. g.. Some OF the on,
| GERS sent their valuable gold watches with Di
| Cont 10 have them repaired in this city. and
they. too, are missing. He disappeared with
from $4,000 to $500 borrowed money
A short time ago information was received
that man answering the description Of, ID
| Cont had sought refuge in the Sisters Hos
pital at Omaha. Neb. He was an Italian Count
| a veterinary surgeon. awaiting appointment by
| the Government to duty on the Paclic coast
An officer WAS at once sent around with the
proper papers to make tho arrest. He met the
false Count and recognized him at once. The
rascal made no defence.