The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-17
HODGES NOT SO HAPPY.
Britishers Nictimized by II Young Man
with AN Aristocratic Name
They Lend Him Money to Pay for IA Ban
quet he Tenders Them.


young Englishman of progressing ap-
pearance, known as Harry Hodges has been
victimizng some of his credulous fellow cOun-
trymen in this city. After working rs a laborer
on u railroad for some time he came here
several months ago and took up his residence
with II member of the British association, Mr..
+. Beckwith. For time ne paid his board in
advance and conducted himself respectfully,
and became memberof the Trinity congrega-
ton and profesSed TO have derived great bene-
fit from the membership of the then pastor, the
Rev. J. Ashley, who was also an Englishman.
Indeed such was the favorable impression he
created by his supposed conversion that when
the congregation presented the Rev. j. Ashley
with Il gold watch as II testimonial of their adj
miration ana respect, Hodges was selected to
make the presentation. Those who were pres
ent will remember the pathOs of his remarks.
Soon he Joined the British association and by
his zeal acquired the good will of the members.
As he did no work his slender means were soon
exhausted and his bOarti bill got into arrears.
Mr. Beckwith, AS Hodges had no
baggage, was anxious about his little hill
and then Hodges stated that his baggage had
been lost AT the Central hotel and that he had
an action against the proprietor Mr.. !. n. Baker
for its recovery, and Mr.. Beckwith, on this
pretence allowed his bill to run ON, but the
baggage and action havetur out to he II
myth. Mr.. 3cckwith however was fortunate
enough TO get SO out of Hodges and is there
fore only mOurner to the extent of $50 worth
of food and lodgings. About this time Hold
yes circulated the rumour that he had received
the 5000 per year from a relative in England,
and assumed the arfstocritic name of III. W. l..
kay-HOdges
He changed his abode to the residence of an
English lady named Beard, and made love TO
Mrs. Boards daughter, to whom he evidently
proposed marriage and became her accepted
sutton. His suppositiOuS good luck was an
nOunced in the local papers, and subsequently
in the exchanges. on the strength of this he.
VictimiZed many persons, among whom was
his prospective mOther-n-law, the Rev. j. Ash
ley, twhOm he promised to pray for Banchni,
the restauranteur, and several members of the
British Association. The whole story of his
sudden acquisition of wealth is said to be false,
and makes the pseudo heir liable TO an enforced
residence in the Pcnitentiary for Il term of
years.
But the worst part of the story remains to be
told. Information is reported to have been re-
UeVed here stating that Hodges, who comes
from Manchester, England left that place i'm
debt and disgrace and at the same time
deserted a wife and family. Enquiries
are being made in that direction, and possibly
the police of that city will be able 10 throw
more light upon the inner character of the
happy Hodges.
Since these Disclosures, Hodges, who boards
with Mrs. Beard, has kept closely private. He
has made Il statement that he has been shot at
and is wounded. He also stated that he
wounded his antagonist and was under medical
attendance, but the doctors he named have no
recollection of such attention and no one
knows anything. of the alleged shooting. Mrs.
Beard still allows him to remain there. under
the apprehension that he will commit suicide
If deserted now, hut the majority appear Ia
have no desire to prevent such action upon his
part.
The British residents are indignant at the act
of the man. They are Obliged to call "a country
man, and more than one threaten to whip
him If he is seen on the street for the
Disgrace he has brought upon them and their
country. Ii is said that at the next meeting of
the British association this matter will bc dis
GUESSED and Hodges will he expelled from men-
bprShp.