The Indianapolis leader., 1881-08-20
SIR ROGER TICHBORNE.
Probability That He Has at Last Been
Found.

Found.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.l
New YORK, Aug 16.-In the early part OF
June last the news was cabled frOIi San
Francisco that person claiming to be Sir
Roger Tichborne had come forward in that
city. 1t was further stated that the new
claimant had placed himself in the hands
of Colonel W. H. L. Barnes. one of the
most distinguished lawyers of the
Pacific slope. and the proofs he had
given of the genuineneSs of his claim
were of so strong character as to convince
many acquainted with the facts in the case
that the long-lost Baronet had really been
found at last. This announcement awak-
ened much interest both in the United
States and England, and the publication of
the full particulars of the case in the Herald
attracted widespread attention. Within the
past few days evidence of very important
character has been developed, which tends
to still further
STRENGTHEN THE NEW CLAIMANTS POSITION.
This evidence is OF no less nature than the
discovery of the existence of Jules Benant,
Sir Rogers servant in South America. This
man verifies the story told by Colonel
Barnes client and states that he is pre-
pared to come forward and give corrobOra-
tive testimony.
THE ALLEGED CLAIMANT
had passed under the name of Ferris during
his wanderings in this country, and his
wlfe's sister, a Mrs. Earl, now lives in Brook
lyn. After the publication of Ferris state
Mrs. Earl published denial of his
claim. For several reasons the supposed
Ferris second marriage had been made dis
tasteful to the relatives of his first wife, aud
they bore HIM bitter enmity. They accord
ingly at once proceeded to take every oppor-
tunity of denouncing him as an imposter.
They caused letters to this effect to be pub
lished in various newspapers What op
portunities they had of prOnouncing on his
identity and the merits of his claim can best
be determined by what follows hereafter.
Their enmity, however, had an entirely diff
ferent effect from what they intended, for it
resulted in the bringing forward of
MOST IMPORTANT WITNESS
in the new claimants case, as will be seen
by the following letter, which was received
by Mrs. Earl few days after the appearance
of her statement in the newspapers:
BUFFALO, Aug. 1s, 1881.
Mrs. Earl:
MADAME see that you have been giving out
that the man in California who claims to be Sir
Roger TichbOrne is not Sir Roger. but that he is
your brother in-law and an impostor. You and
his daughter were wrong to say this. as l can
prove that he is the real Sir Roger you will see
from what now have to say. am the Jules
BerDdDC WHO was Ndlet TO- Roger. lie eDSdStu
me at Valparaiso IN 1858 l travelled with him to
CalaO and Lima, and from there went with him
TO Ecuador. Sir Roger never embarked in the
Bella but went across South America. On the
pampas Sir Roger was taken with the fever, and
had TO be taken to the abode of Juenna Sanchez
near Camadu. / stald with him more than a
week, and thought he must die, and was sick my
self with the fever 1 went to Conception,
where l was i'll for q long time. / did not take
Sir Rogers luggage or jewelry, but only little
stolen it was not by me, but by some one else. l
did all could for Sir Roger. / always thought
Sir Roger was dead until
1 MET HIM IN 1861.
He was then Lieutenant in the Third Wisconsin
Cavalry He passed under the name of Charles
Ferris. He seemed mad against me, for he would
not recognize me, although tried to speak with
him. Sir Roger left the regiment some time
after. knew the claiment in England could not
be Sir Roger but said nothing, and have said
nothing OF this before because / had plenty OF
good reasons to keep quiet but you are wrong to
say this is not Sir Roger. / can prove he is.
am going to Canada for a few days, and shall go
to New York and see you and demonstrate to you
you were wrong to say what you did. Your very
humble sarvant,
JULES BERNANT
Sir Roger can be identified by the marks which
he has upon the body. know these marks well
and l can swear to them. l shall call on you as
soon l got back from Canada. Keep quiet
about this until see you. Ii is your interest and
that of his daughter that Sir Roger gets that
which to him belongs.
This letter bears the Buffalo postmark
Aug. 13, and was received by Mrs. Earl this
morning Its arrival created considerable
excitement in the family. 1t has not, how
ever, had the effect of diminishing in the
least degree the ill-feeling entertained of
the claimant and they still denounce him
as unsDaringly as ever.