The Russellville Democrat., 1880-05-06
BLACKMAILER WILLIAMSON.
The Career of Q Distinguished St. Louis Beau in Europe.
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LIT. DlX niySteIlOuS peT5ScurGI As arrested in Baltimore yesterday affer- noon, and is now on his way to this city in custody. He hes made full confes- sion.
 Ills name is Eugene Fairfax William son. He is native of Baltimore, single, about forty years of age, and claims, with probable truth, to have served as a colonel in the Confederate Army, and to be related by birth to the Fairfaxes of Virginia. The manner in which he was traced and finally run down reflects great credit on the local postoflice author ities and those whom they called in to assist them.
 One afternoon late in the fall of 1872, the diligence stopped in front of the Hotel Metropole, in Geneva, Switzerland and it's solitary passenger, stepping out, walked briskly in and registered in an easy, flowing hand, "Col. Fairfax Will liamson, Richmond, Va" He was dressed in the height of fashion, carried a gold-headed malacca switch cane, and wore his handsome seal-skin cap jauntily on the side of his head. His mustache had the Napoleonic twist, and his side whiskers bore evidence of careful culti- vation and attention. :.
 The "Colonep was given parlor and a bedroom, and he immediately in- stalled himself in his quarters for the season. To be an American in Geneva was to become acquaited with every member of the American colony, which that winter was an unusually large one. Col. Williamson bore letters of introduc- tion containing the signatures of num- Der of ecclesiastical dignitaries in this country, among them that of the late Bishop Whitehouse, of Illinois, and of several prominent business firms in New York and Baltimore. In the light of his subsequent career, all of these letters were probably foreeries. They served the purpose of establishing credit for the bearer, and he took advantage of the fact. He fitted up two rooms extrava- gantly with furniture, paintings and curious Swiss ornaments of every de- scription. He possessed, to degree that caused him to be regarded as a most eccentric character, mania for musical instruments. A dozen pieces of musical mechanism were hidden away in as many different pieces of furniture and table ornaments in his room. A visitor seated himself and immediately hls chair would burst forth into some Tyrolean air. The sofa yielded lugubri- German strains, while the foot-stools, when pressed upon, gave out lively French melodies. On the table was kept a portemonnaie, to which the Colonal would especially call his visitors atten- ton, assuring them that they might pos sess it's contents if they would open it. The attempt would invariably prove successful, delecates mechanism would be set in motion, and the music of an Italian composer would issue from the depths of the leather bag. But the most curious of these pieces of marvel ous ingenuity was slowed away some- where in the body of glass decanter, and whoever. at the Colonels suggestion poured himself glass of wine, was cer- tain to hear the sllvery tones of "The Beautiful Blue Danube" waltz as they fioated out upon the gurgling liquid.
 The Colonel and his wonderful music boxes were the talk of the American colony. He was favorite with the young people, and they were frequently invited to his rooms.
 About three miles from Geneva was the Chateau de Lancy, where German professor had established a famous school. Among his pupils were scions of the Colgate and McVicker families, of this city, and the son of George Francis Train.
 The Colonal appeared to be interested in educational matters, and he visited the school regularly every week. He made friends with the boys by his gen. erosity and the interest he manifested in their sports and studies. He gave many presents to them, such as heavy gold rings, fancy stationery, and gold pens and pencils. He,was always partic- ular to state the cost of the present, and he was never known to under estimate it. He seemed to have plenty of money in his pockets, although, as the sad se- quel shows, he was found to be want | ing by his creditors.
 The Colonel attended the Protestent Episcopal Church regularly, partook of the communion, deposited his mites in the baskets, and voted even upon church matters. He gave it out that he was a relative of the Fairfaxes of England, and that upon the death of one of the members of that family-a contingent which he was calmly awaiting-their immense possessions were to become his
 His birth place, he claimed, was Vir- ginia, and his own family was among the F. +. V,'s.
 | lncIc WCIS Solic dIilOllB illn AHlCTiNdu acquainIances who doubted all this, but the Colonel was so good natured, so generous and so gentlemanly-besides perhaps he had smelled powder after all that their doubts never found ex- precision, and he lived very merrily in the mental enjoyment of his prospective riches and present position.
 Next to his musical boxes he was de- voted to the crest of the Fairfaxes, fifty of which in as many different colors, were stamped upon his stationery, his books and his linen. His monogram also demanded, and obtained large share of his leasure time, and ito one young lady who now lives in East | Forty-fifth street, and who had expressed an interest in monograms in general, and his own in particular, he presented a large collection of them. To her brother he made handsome present of | iewelry for numerous small favors. One of these favors was hemailing one day of letter to the Empress Eugenie. The youth remembers that the Colonel in- 1 formed him on that occasion that he was in the habit of writing to the ex-Em- press of the French once a week. The father of these young persons, who knew | the Colonel well, said, last night, that he l always regarded him as a man who was rather light-headed.
 The Colonal lived like a lord at the Hotel Metropole, and purchased like a l prince of the dealers in curiosities. His lnAA ...a1 l.