The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-07
a GAY GUARD>MAN.
HOW PELHAM CLINTON, AS 1.-THE MAR
QUisr ARUNDEL, FIGURED IN RICHMOND
soCrETY-GLOgY ENOUGH TO BE AN r
+. V. FOR TWO WEEKS.

II has DOW franspired ih5t the celebrated
{" Charles Pelham Clintou," who Is 6guring
10 New York before Justice Smith az the
Jefferson Market Police Court In the rather
un-nylaole light Of obtaining money under
false pretences, is The same individual who
enjoyed short-lived nofoiiety IN Richmond
society last winter under the higb-souuding
alias NJ Lieutenant Robert Raymond Arun-
del, OF the Fourth Dragon Guards. II bad
been previously suspected that the mon
Arundel who shamelesslv imposed upon
lirge circle OF RlchmOnd's best people
year ago, and "CharIes Pelham Clinton"
with his many other aliases, who has prac.
iiced bis deception and fraud throughout
this continent from Capaoa 10 Texas, were
one and :be same; but the letter OF Captain
Asbburnpr pablisbed In Sundays Dispatch
le,ves little room OF doubt OH this point.
His operations here, while not at all lucra-
tive In q financial point Of view. furnish
AN INTERESTING CHAPTER,
and go 10 show the shrewd cunning
and bold effrontery OF the man. To
enjoy "Old Virginia hospitality" and
to gain the entrfe into the first society
Of Richmond seemed 10 be the height
OF his ambition here, and ii really appears
to have been eraiited for short time. He
made his appearance IN Richmond prior to
the Christmas holidays OF last year, aud pre-
senied forged letters Of introduction TO
resident English gentlemen. which readily
gave hIm the entrfe 10 Richmond's best So
ciety. His cards read, "Lieutenant
Robert Raymond Arundel. Fourth Ora.
COON Guards" and his apparent in.i-
l.
ly OF distinction left no doubt in the minds
OF bis victims as to his being the pei
he represented himself to be. He was well
coined as the guest Of an English gentle
man. now and for some time past living In
Virginia. Through him the sol diSdnt
lieutenant was
RECEIVED AT THE CLUBS,
and, as far rs can be ascerained, he did not
victimIze any person for any large amount OF
money. His pecuniary obligations here
range from % to Si0. and probably would
not amount 10 $50 10 the aggregate. He
occasionally after treating found he had
forgotten bis pocket book, and OH remarking
upon the unfortunate mishap would sug-
gest that some friend should settle the score.
His dupes. however, prefer rather to re-
main unknown TO fame than 10 have their
names and The amounts Of ArundePs in
debtedDess published TO the world.
Many of our young men will easily rccIll
"the Marquis IN the roIlicking "Guards-
man." who played a successful part IN So
ciety lat winter. He was about six feet in
hight, with slight stOop; had ruddy com.
plexiop, small eyes, and swollen cheeks,
which bespoke dissiPated life. While he
seemed a jovial, ood-hearted fellow, with
10 hn far
lection goes, by no means handsome man,
and although The preiepce OF q polished
gentleman has been claimed for him by
many, and especially those who were taken
10 by him. he showed by many little things
that he was wanting IN that breeding which
bespeaks the true gentleman.
That he received some attention here In
society il a fact which cannot be gainsaid.
He was invited TO several parties, attended
a Christmas German, and visited some OF
our best people, but he was particularly
AT HOME WITH "THE BOYs",
his capacity for drinking being TO some OF
them a subject Of envy. 10 a moment OF
great exuberance OF spirits he announced
that wDen ne succeeded TO his title he IN
tended changing the motto OF the Arundcls
10, I'VE learn to forgive Others By fOrgiving
ourselves" AT the Richmond Club be cleo
tritied the young men " ith the delicucy and
flavor OF his celebrated punch, which as
beverage was declared to be unexcelled. He
was a fDe horseman, and the groce and ease
with which be managed the most spirited
animal was highly commented upon, and
will be attested by several Of our Richmond
ladies' who were honOred with his escort on
an evenings ride. lie claimed TO have in
t,-x. la 10 Of orh Arnn OF md
as such represented himself 10 be CatbO-
lie. He. however, tered clear OF members
OF that faith, and visited the fashionable
churches Of the city.
In speaking OF Il young uptown preacher
he Is remembered TO have SAID: 81 like
THAT LITTLE CBAH AROUND THE CORNER.
He knows what be is talking about. But
that old Joker down town, why, be don't
know history" HIS claim 10 the title OF
Lord Arundel came near discovering his
impOs'ure early in his soiourn here. for
one or two S0cdnts in the history OF
European nobility pronounced his claim
false, since there was DO such title, 1t having
died out. II seems that he got wind OF
this, and 10 be prepared for any debate upon
this subject he bad The boldDesS to visit one
of our s.eemed citizens on Main street, and
there spent the evening in the perusal OF
Burke's Peerage."
lie had wonderful memory for people
and places, which aided him in disarming
suspiciou. He recalled to many OF our
citizens their relatives living in different
parts OF this and other countries. To one
gentleman. he spoke Of his uncle In Canada
whom he called by the familiar mime OF
Jerry.
His career lasted two weeks In Richmond,
when the den0,ts2ssRt came. II was on New
Years eve that a Soung Iady visitor from
Canada recognizing
LIEUT.. ARUNDEn As COURTNEY DENSIs0N,
denounced him to her lady friends as q
swindIer for whose apprehension there was
q large reward offered. On the ZANE day
Mr.. james u. Tracy. who was then
the manager Of the Bell Telephone EXr
change here, dropping into the Richmond
Club house, saw Arundel playing billiards..
He ut once identiied him as Char les Claude
Montague Bertie, who recently swndled
several parties IN Texas. Tracy inquired
whom he was persODating. and being told
the son OF Lord Arundel, denounced him rs
a fraud. On being informed that he was
discovered he gracefully withdrew, andlleft
town with $t9 he borrowed from an Eng.
lishman a few moments prior TO the de.
parture of the train which carried him
northward.
On the following day he was TO- have
paid New-Yeai's calls with party OF
youpg Richmond meu, and tbey,. ignorant
OF bis sudden departure, awaited. his com>
ing at the appointed rendezvous. Their
surprise can better be imaginedl than do
scribed when they learned that their Jolly
companioa sbe Marquis" was an impos-
tor, and bad, so to speak, "-skipped the
town."