Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-20

Unique RascalIty of a Man sixty Years
 of AGe-How Innocent Women Were
 Ruined-Possessing Score of Aliases
 and as Many Wives-Arrest of the Cui-
 prit.
 From the New York Herald
 The Pinkerton detective agency. through Mir. Robert Pinkerton, the chief of the New York branch, yesterday morning made one of the most important captures in recent police annals The criminal, who was run to earth in Lynn, Mass, has been one of the most daring and successful rogues on record. For at least ten years past he has perpetrat- ed series of offences of peculiarly heart less and repulsive character lnasmucn as hls victims have so often been young and inno- cent women Forgery, false pretences and bipamy are the designations which the law annlies to the outrages of which he has been guilty, but it is feared that even the most se- were statutes will fail to provide adequate punishment, so artful and shrewd has the perpetrator become by long and uninter- runted practice. Eleven women of virtue and responsibility are known to have been the victims of mock marriage with this man. only to be robbed and deserted, while several others are believed to have been among his pretended wives The design of the adventurer was to obtain money, and his plan, briefly described, was to entrap poor girl of wealthy connections, forge the names or indorsements of her friends with bank accounts procure money on worthless checks and then abandon the trusting bride to seek fresh victim. Homes have been blasted and banks and business houses victimized in almost every section of the country by this uniuue adventurer, and yet the whole story of his misdeeds is not known. The crimin- aPs real name is believed to be Arthur Mer- ritf, but. his more recent aliases, among many others have been General A. B. Morton, tThomase A. Marvin, A. T. Marvin, J. B. Lindsley and J. B. Matthieson. What ag- erayates his offence is that he is @ man of in telligence and talent and over sixty years Of age.
 Readers of the HeTGld will remember re- gently published articles describing the mar riage and assertion of Miss Turpin in Rich mond, Va, and the deception, under similar circumstances, of lady in Lakewood, N. J.. Marvin was the criminal in both cases, but the whole story remains to be told.
 sNARING HIS VICTIM.
 In the latter part of May last an advertise ment appeared in Hartford religious weekly newspaper, by which it appeared that a wid- over of means desired to employ the services l of governess for his daughter. aged eight years. A Miss Turpin, of Richmond. Va. saw. the advertisement and answered it. l Miss Turpin is young lady of twenty-fou1 l years eamiable,, accomplished and pretty. She 1 is of an old and well connected southern fam I fly and the daughter of a widow, who, being l in somewhat reduced circumstances, takes I boarders Thinking to assist her mother 1 Miss Turpin applied for the situation, ask l ing for further information, and referring to a distinguished judge and Rich | mond clergyman as to her ow1
 character and qualifications. She re
 ceived in reply letter dated New Haven l Conn, and signed T. A. Marvin. The write
 said he was the gentleman wanting govern
 ess and proceeded to give dignifed ans well written account of himself as an Amer ican gentleman of wealth and wldowe I with one child, who spent his time mainly Il
 travelling in Europe and who was now abou