Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-26
Rev. DIR. Dix,S Prosecutor.

O&S%-
Rev. DIR. Dix,s Persecutor.
EUGENE FAIRFAX WILLIAMSON IN THE NEW YORK
TOMBS-HIS CAREER, ETC.
Eugene Fairfax Williamson, alias "Gentleman
Joe" and "High Churchman," who for so long
time past has been annoying Rev. DR.. Dix, rec
full account of whose arrest in Baltimore We'd
nesday was published in the Sun, arrived in
New York yesterday morning in charge of Gen
eral superintendent James Gaylor, and taken to
private room in the post Office. DR.. Dix was
soon there, and discovered that Williamson was
about nine years ago Sunday school teacher in
Trinity Chapel. Which position he left under a
cloud. The prisoner begged for mercy, and as
sured DR.. Dix that he had no thought or inten-
ton OF levying blackmail upon him. He dis
Claimed any personal feeling against DR.. Dix.
confessed to him that in sending those letters
about the country he had no bad motive. and
that 1t was his way of having fun. AS far as
can be ascertained he is well Off, and is con-
am satisfied" said Mr.. Gaylor, ''that he bad no
intention Of levying blackmail, but was guided
entirely IN his work by some insane impulse"
believing that Williamson is not in his right
mind. DR.. Dix calls the prisoner pitaDle OBJ
ject, and is satisfied that the man is sincerely
repentanJ. He expressed himself as deeply
grateful to the post office authorities for assist
ing to rid him of his prosecutor. He judges
from his conversation with Williamson that
the man has many friends and is well connected.
against Williamson, charging him with seeking
to extort money by means of threatening
letter. The prisoner was committed for ex-
to take place next Monday afternoon at 8
O'Clock. He was Immediately taken in charge
by officer Field, of the district attorneys
office, and was accompanied by the officer and
Superintendent Gayior to the post Office, where
his trunk was brought to him. He opened it,
took out some packages, one of which con-
tanned a large, handsome album, and sent them,
q col fn hfC LOFTY
write some letters and send some dispatches to
his relatives and friends, and then officer Field
took him to the Tombs, where he was lodged in
cell. Just before Williamson was taken to the
Tombs there was a marked change in his ap-
pearance as compared with the way he looked
In the morning. His eyes seemed to be more
gard and troubled expression, and he appeared
to be confused and daZed He was very pale
and his hand trembled when he tried to write
Pittsburg dispatch, says: 'Williamson
came to this city some four years ago, at once
obtaining entire into the best society here He de-
scribed himself as Virginian of English line
age, He was always comfortably supplied with
funds, good conversationalist, somewhat &C.
centric, though in a harmless way, and seemed
fond of making sensation. He quite frequently
dropped into poetry, his stanzas finding place
II home he a printed
atten dant Of the Episcopal church, Occasionally
took pleasure Jaunts to the seashore and east
ern cities, and altogether was looked upon as
AS already stated, this is not WilliamSOnS
first ofense Of the kind. In 1873 he was ar
rested In London for attempting to extort money
from Mr.. RoSenbaum by similar proceedings
For this he was sentenced to year in Newgate.
In 1872 he visited the Hotel Metropole, Geneva,
Switzerland, where he called himself colonel
andEpassed for man Of great wealth. He at
tracted attention by the the luxury of his
life and the number of curious musical DO les
which he had collected, and which were con-
cealed In different articles of furniture. Every
40 mo- n,;,,.
presents. One day he left the hotel and 1t IS
said that the managers have never ceased to be
interested in his whereabouts.
HIS HISTORY IN BALTIMORE.
The Baltimore Sun says: Williamson is known
In Baltimore and has history here dating back
to the time OF the civil war. On June 5, 1863
he, with number OF other young men, was ar
rested and confined In the Gllmor House, then
ganization and equipment Of a cavalry regl-
ment for the southern army, and being on the
eve OF departure for the south. Williamson was
at first domiciled with his comrades but his fire.
at time, excited suspicion, and he was watched
by the outside friends OF the other prisoners 1t
was stated that he had the liberty Of the streets
ana u short that his incarceration was merely
before the arrest spoken of williamson
nad Deen introduced to and won the af-
fections OF highly respectable young
LADY, who was warm advocate and alder Of
that he paid court to this lady simply to fur
ther his own ends, and, through her, to become
conversant with the quiet workings of those
who were rendering the southern cause aid in
Baltimore. The brother of this lady was one of
the principals in the formation Of the body of
cavalry, and the sister was also active in such
assistance as she could render. Williamson,
who represented himself as Virginian, and
the most pronounced of southerners anxious
to do all Ia his power to help his section Of the
country, became possessed, it is alleged,
through this lady, Of all the workings OF the
various parties engaged In the enterprise,
before he took steps to secure them. a large
number OF them got off, but he sue
ceeded in having one party caught the night
tefore their departure for the south, and picked
up number s!ngly afterwards. For time he
sLaid in the Gilmor House with them, but, as he
found nothing more to be gained from associa-
ton with them, gradually threw OF his disguise.
This was expedited by an attempted assault on
him one morning by one Of the young men he
was said to have betrayed, in the presence Of
the federal guard. After this Williamson never
appeared among the men he had trapped He
was seen around Col FiSh'S Headquarters, the
provost marshal Of the city at that time, but
soon left The city, numerous threats having been
made Of doing him serious bodily injury. VII
hanson was born In Baltimore.