Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-24
IN A FORGER'S TOLLS.
A Rogue Who Associated With
Railroad Kings and Senators.

NerO York Special to Philadelphia Press, Goth
1t was found to-day that the organizer of
the UNITED Globe Electric Light Com
psny." of New York, is the forger,
w. E. Gray, who caused a sensation
In Wall street in 1868 by raising
and passing forged bonds to the
amount of $500, 900, and who is at present
out on bail, having succeeded in securing
new trial upon the ground of newly dis
covered evidence after he had been SEN
fenced to the State prison for ten years.
The scheme in which Gray is now engaged
was apparently planned before he reached
this country, after being extradited from
England. Police Captain Kealey, who
brought him over, said to-day that GraY's
one subject of conversation while crossing
the ocean was electric lights. After being
released on bail he Immediately set to work
to carry out his plans. He is man Of
education, refined tastes and good manners.
His first step was to secure suitable apart
ments. This he did at 297 Fifth avenue,
where he rented the entire second floor, fit
ted the rooms up nicely, and had his name
engraved upon a plate on a private bell
pull. Then he proceeded to set his net to
catch his victims, presenting to them the
following plan, saying that he owned one or
two patents in electric light: He proposed
g form a company to buy up all other pat
ents, to consolidate conflicting interests and
in this waV to control the electric light of
the world" 1t made but little difference
how much capital was needed, he said, be-
cause 1t was all to be represented by stocks,
which would be Issued to the United States
Electric Light Company, the Maxim, the
Brush, and any other companies that might
be brought up.
Gray fixed upon Cornelius Vanderbilt, the
eldest son Of William H. Vanderbilt. He
next convinced l. K. Roberts, the son of
the late Nj. o. Roberts, that Mr.. Vanderbilt
had consented to be the President of the
company. Mr.. Roberts thoroughly believed
this. Through Gray's glibness OF tongue,
he became interested and began to work to
induce other men to come into the scheme
1t was decided that Senator Jones, of Ne
vads, would be an Influential director. So,
Mr.. Roberts, remembering that he had been
q schOol-mate of Senator Jones' father-in-
law, Collector Sullivan, of the port of San
Francisco, wrote glowing accounts Of the
plan to Mr.. Sullivan, telling him that it was
a chance seldom offered, and that the stock
holders all could get rich without risking a
| dollar. Mr.. Sullivan, knowing, of cource,
who Mr.. Roberts was, began to influence his
son-in-law, but the Senator was incredulous.
He refused to go into the scheme, saying
that he was entirely mining man, and had
enough to do. While this was going on in
California, Gray was not idle here.
IlrOUgn tne WlI6 OF a prominent meT-
chant in New York, who had already done
everything possible for him during his trial,
Gray was introduced to Assistant United
States District Attorney Alfred r. Conkling,
son Of ex Senator Conkling. Mr.. ConkliDg
was easily won over. The scheme was prac-
teal, he thought, and as he was to be the
attorney he thought he could see that every
thing was conducted properly. About the
time that Mr.. Conkling began to work to
promote the scheme, Senator Jones came
East. The failure TO secure the Sena-
tors name on the Pacific coast did not
discourage Gray. He urged Mr.. Conkling
to call upon the Senator, and Mr.. ConkliDg
did so, at the same time introducing Gray.
The forger brought all the powers of con-
versation to bear, to show how easily the
scheme could be successful. He talked as
If he had immense wealth and had power to
do what he undertook, no matter what diff
ficulties might be encountered. He offered
to place his box at the opera at the disposal
Of Senator Jones, wife and family, when
they came to the city. Finally Jones said
he would be director. Gray was identified
to-day as he was leaving No. 297 Fifth ave
nue.. Your reporter recognized him as Grav,
the organizer of the company, and the de-
tective recognized him as Gray, the forger.