The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-08


After few days when the Baron had become
settled IN his new quarters at the Continental
vcrsnl favor and respect. he began a wholesale
correspondence with some Of the principal rail
way projectors in the country, turning his whole
attention. however TO the great South west. He
was the better enabled to secure attention by
reason OF his remarkable success in obtaining
the eHfree TO the first circles in Philadelphia, and
this served rs an excellent endorsement OF his
representations. Both the Union League md
Reform Clubs took him M. and Baron Pardon
net was the recipient OF distinguished hunors ut
their hands. On Thanksgiving Day the Baron
was ono oi group oi hunorcl gentlemen, chiei
OF whom was Gov, HarirHnit. who were dned
and wined at the Union Cub rooms. On this
occnsion the Baron wore the full insignia Of Il
spanish order OF nobility.
Besides an accomplished and digninod adj
dress. he WAS provided with apparently genu-
inc loitcrs from eminent people in Europe GER
flying 10 his being all That he claimed. He ex-
hibltcd, among others. u letter from VI. Edmond
hothschild, younger member 81 the great bunk.
ing ilrm. who, the Baron stated. was an especial
friend OF his. Other documents accredited him
60 \. Belmont n Son, American bankers. lle
showed certificates Oi character and permission
70 a'i as cngrai9n agent without salary; IRON
the Governors Of Kansas and Oregon. He had
copies of Partisan journals containing compile
mcniary notices about himself. among them one
which referred 10 him ~ being the son Of the
famous Gen. Baron de- Pardonnet who died in
1862 and who WIS at one time the bosom friend
of NauolrOu Ill Ho cluimpd nl-o tO bs the
nephew Of the Project Of Police Of Russia.
the magnitude of the Baron's first business
propositions was entirely In keeping with his
lofty address. and As the impression Of his great
wealth, importance and influence had become
he intended TO negotiate. his proposals were
welcomed and gladly entertained He began Mt
flrst 10 tnlk about establishing line OF steam
ships between Galveston and Liverpool, and to
show that he had some experience in
this way he snid that he started the
Rio Granda BRAZIL and Liverpool line u
i.tte affair IN which he made seventy,
that ,ho could get no land subsidy
IrNug
proposition between Galveston ana Liverpool.
be- made rapid answer that he desired 90 secure
Texas lands Tor the investment Of s6OOO0OO
belonging To- the Prince Of Orange which
amount was in the hands and under the control
of certain bankers. friends Of the Baron in Am
WELL Isq.. President ~ the Sabine Pass and
Northwestern Hallway Company. whom he met
al the Hirafd House, and with whom he con-
tracted loan ior 50 900 600. the company TO give
rs security tleir land subsidy. After some de-
lay. Baron Pardounet went 10 Texas to secure
the proper authorization OF the papers. He
subsequently made "A similar contract with 4.
NJ. Gentry, Sr.. President OF the Texas Western.
In the mean time the Baron was living sump-
tuousiy at the Continental entertaining royalty
AT times his numerous friends and receiving in
aud courtesies. In February. the titled mill
honaire decided on going at once TO Texas;
Before taking leave, however, he had negotiated
with the Northern Pacific Railway Company for
the settlement OF eight hundred Mennonite
families ON their lands and mad received from
them about 5000 rs advance for the payment of
certain contlngeHt xRenses; mostly oi AN adyer,,
his bill at the Continental. He also managed 10
get 5000 out OF the sabine Pass Company, and
he then departed for the South.
The arrival of Pardounet in Texas was not
exactly surprise To AL oi the leading railway
mon there, rs select few had been quietly adj
vised Of his early appearance and of his pro-
sumably substantial footing. lie was. IN conse-
quence made heartily welcome. and upon the
presentation Of his numerous testimonials and.
move a OF a. ,le @ 10 rom INC tM3 f3aIs
the affections OF the Texan schemers, and re-
newed his conquests in thcir State. While in
Houston new idea struck him. which was the
construction of u new road to Sabine Pass. to
connect with the Texas Western. He had very
little difficulty in getting tho managers OF
the latter to Join him in the enterprise, and in u
very short time "A charter was obtained for the
building OF a road 10 be- known rs the Houston.
to pass over the same laid down 10y the compa-
MES. presided over by the two Presidents
named. 10 which lardonnet had contracted 10
loan the SIN miions, Alter the new company
was organ ized the Baron repeatedly assured
those who were mainly instrumental in obtain
Ing the charter tnnt he wanted no money from
any ono in IeXus. ms Il was his desire ihat his
friends In Europe should reap all the benz
e1lts, The Baron was now an assumed success
in the Lone star state. Indeed. lie was play
ing nrst-class star engagement 20 full
houses. The papers chronicled his movements
from day to day. ana he figured largely in Jour-
nallstlc consideration. SPECIAL cars were al
ways in read ness to convey him TO any part Of
the state ana rival companies competed Tor the
honor OF carrying the distinguished gentleman
from place To- place. The President Of the santa
F6 road took him to Galveston To induce him TO
use his great influence TO negotiate "A loan for
the purpose of building their road, About this
| timo another gentleman, Paul Bremond II
well known railroad man, hearing Of the
French capitalist, sought him out and con-
tracted for IA loan OF S25OOOOO.
About this time when the Baron was not being
entertained elsewhere. he was running up a lit
tie bill with the proprletress OF the Menger
House. IN san Antonio. The unthtnking lady
one day dropped delicate hint That she would
ike to have a little money from the Baron. The
amount of her bill WIS exactly twenty eight dol
lars, twenty Of which was Tor board. ana the re-
mainder eight dollars. borrowed money. The
Baron very promptly met the response for
cash by giving his DRAFT on New YORK Tor
the full amount. This draft. with several
others. amounting In the aggregate 10 some
siuO, was subsequently returned with Il
protest. But though faint suspicion now
| for the first time began 10 dawn on the
minds OF some that the Baron WIS fraud, yet
| these were IN measure allaycd 10y tho subse-
| quent payment of the drafts 10y Pardonnet ho
| having managed To rinse the money among his
! friends in the Houston. Sabine Pass and Dem
nlson Hallway Company 1t WAS not until a
| broadside IN the shape OF a telegram directly
| from New York, and signed 10y Abram VI, Gem
| try. j. Burwell. X. &. Campbell, and w, Is.
| Hotchkiss denOuucing HIM Hs a fraud, was
| thrown into the ranks of the Texas rallroaders.
| that they began TO turn a cold shoulder 10 Par
| donnet Tho language oithe telegram was as lQl-
| lows: Overwhelming evidence cOnNlnccs US the
| Baron Is an irresponsible ndNenturrr, ana worse
| dangerous. We advise for your protection.
you have ali his stock transferred TO you and
| his resignation. voluntary or otherwise, II
necessary. thereafter, You can be made safe.
| Answer what YOU do meeting OF the board
was at once called and n demand made for the
| immediate payment of twenty per cent Of tho
| stock which would compel pardonnet 10 plank
| down clean ono hundred thousand. The
| directors also deprived him of tho right 10 ne
| gotiate loan Tor the road which had been uu-
| thorized A law of Texas compes the directors
OF any company seeking a charter To make ALL
daYit that five per cent. of the capital stock has
| been paid in. This fact was sworn 10 in the
| present instance because tho Baron had given a
| draft on DreXcl. Morgan Co. of New York for
| S2j 600. Under that check the balance Of the
| directors sWore that the law had been complied
with. rs they believed at the time that the paper
| asked that an appropriation of 100000 be- made
| by the company To meet certain contingent ex-
penses in which were included the cost Of fling
| aud recording tho charter and bylaws, office
| books. stationery, surveys, maps. and many
| other ncdentas. The Appropriation was
granted and the draft given by tho Baron was
| paid over 10 him for tho uses designated. Tor
| which he gave his receipt In short tlme after
| the receipt Of the draft the Baron, rs President
OF the company brought in the following bill,
on which he requested payment:
April Amounts.
T. one months salary siOo
2 Travelling expenses. ....,.....,... $40
To procuring franchise and charter amman. bnD
30 To advance three months salary .,,...., 5000
| 70 To advance TO the President ot tie company
| Tor travelling expenses and other expenses
Incidental To tho negotiation oil the loan IN
% To travelling expenses ..,....,.......t..+. 20
- To salary Of private secretary 20 the President s
~ TO travelling expenses OF same month. 40
% To advance and cash by the President. l265