Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-12
A BOLD TITLED ADVENTURE
Career of the Russian baron Greffen'
Prince Of Swfndlers.
Fr0,n the Ye,o YORK World.

D
Baron G efIen must not be contOunded
with the other Russian adventurer, Prince
Sayine, who was tried here few months
ago. The latter, 1t viii be remembered,
swinded the wisest bankers in most Of
the capitals OF Europe, and borrowed
large sums from prime ministers ana
ambassadors, even taking in his ubiqult-
Gus net one or two distinguished members
OF the Pope's household. Nethe was only
a vulgar swindler compared to the Baron,
for whom the VIennese authorities are
now issuing eXtraditiOn papers.
The Barou's trial took place here some
three weeks ago. 1t was long, sensa-
! tionl, and aDOunded in the incidents and
revelations peculiar to such cases. IL
proved the Baron to be richly endowed
with that fertility of resource, surprising
GOODNESS and artistic impudence so char
acterstic of the great heroes eff causes
cetebreS. The Baron has led a checker ed
lie. A few years ago he was member
of the Russian administration. After
about years service he committed "a
serious indelicacy, and was subjected
to provisional detention" Divested OF
its eupheIsm, this meant that the Baron
robbed right and left and was put in jail.
In Russia provisional detention" is re-
2arded as a sort Of passageway to Siberia.
The Baron knew this. ard lost no time in
connecting plans. The Judge who han
charge OF the affair summoned him one
DAY TO his cabinet, and Intercepted him
In the usual fashion. The prisoner denied
all the charges. and with such an in
genuty OF argument and manner as to
quite confound the Judge. The latter,
IN his desire to overwhelm the
prisoner with proofs, took up his bundle
of notes and papers, and while totally alb
9nrhp0 N m "A u
turned, the Baron took advantage of the
situation. With audaciOus coolness he
picked up a pair of spectacles that
CHANGED to be lying on the table, and
big chain-the insignia of the judicial
functions in Russia-placed huge
bundle of papers under his arm, and
walked with noiseless step to the door.
The pol ce standing at the doorway let
MIN pass, believing him one Of the secre-
taries of the court. This escape, which
would be impossible in any other cOun-
try, is explained by the fact that in
Russia, in matters of this particular kind,
the accused is lnterrOgated by the Judge
alone, without the presence of witnesses
or court officer.
When the news of the escape reached
the ears of the Gar, His Majesty laughed
heartily, and in consideration of the
righteousness of the affair and the honor
able standing and services of the Baron's
family, be quashed all further proceed
ings in the matter. A year afterwards
Gen. TrepOff-the future victim of Vera
assoulitch-recOllectin the presence of
mind and calm audacity of the Baron on
this occasion, concluded that he was Just
the man to enlist in the Third Section or
Secret Police. The Baron not only ac-
cepted the offer, but became Gen. Trepoif's
private secretary. His peculiar talents
we're found invaluable in ferreting out
Nihilistic nests. He was charged soon
afterwards to 20 to Paris and worm him.
self into the confidence of the Nihilist
murderer Netohaieff; and he succeeded
so well that Netchaieff was soon on his
way to Moscow, where he was immedi-
ately seized and hanged with due dis
patch. The baron was decorated and re-
ceived promotion. he entered the de-
partment of the Ministry OF the Interior,
exercising important functions in the In
ternational Police, and visited all the cap
itals Of Europe at the expense OF the Rus
sian government.
Paris, however, was the city after the
BarOn's own heart. He led a free and
festive life there, gave costly dinners and
mingled with the most exclusive classes
OF doubtful society. But he fell into the
habit of gambling, and 50 neglected his
business. The Russian government
dropped him from its list. Thrown on
ais own resources he took advantage OF
his past position in Paris to borrow from
all who were foolish enough to lend, and
TO play the confidence game on colossal
scale. Having exhausted this field. he
returned to st. Petersburg, where he piled
his avOcatiOn with renewed success.
Dut at length, finding his position grow
ing risky, and with wholesome
dread of Siberia before him. he
suddenly transferred the scene of bis op-
perations to Vienna. The exact amount
of his borrowings and swindles in this
city is unknown, as most OF his victims
are unwilling to admit they were bitten.
Necessity at last drove him To forgery.
He telegraphed 10 the Bank OF st. Peters
burg for 10000 roubles, signing the tele-
gram with tie name of one OF the wealth.
est men in Vienna, who did large BUSH
ness with the tank. The money was re-
ceIved forthwith. But by curious
chance the merchant IN question visited
1t. Petersburg on the very day
that the forged telegram had been
4 received, and he was surprised,
1 ON entering the banking establish D.
ment TO learn that 20, coo rou6Ies had been
/ dispatched to him that morning to
/ Vienna. The police were notified, an in
yestigation made, and just as the affair
was about to be abandoned an incident
/ occurred that threw sudden light on the
mystery. A dispatch Was received by the
/ bank of ST. Petersburg from the great
/ house Of the Barring Brothers in London
/ saying that a credit OF several thousand
pounds was asked by the gentleman
whose name was forged TO the
dispatch already mentioned. This
sum was TO be transferred to Vienna.
The mechanism OF the swndle was How
understood and trap set. The London
/ hsuse telegraphed that the sum would
/ he paid at the house OF EphrGssi II Co..
/ Vienna, and when the Baron presented
/ himself be found the police awaiting him.
! He was promptly arrested, and after
/ spending long time in jail WAS brought
/ to trial few weeks ago and condemned
! 10 years Imprisonment at hard labor.
/ A few days ago the jaller peeped into
/ the Baron's cell several times and saw
the prisoner sitting with his head resting
| IN his hand, apparently absorbed in pro.
found reflection. lie did not wish 10 dis.
I turb him. Tow ards evening the iailer's
curiosity was aroused on seeing that the
prisoner had not changed his attitude
since morning. He entered the cell and
/ touched the prisoner on tue shoulder. The
latter did not stir. lie then gave him a
rude shake and was astOnished at
seeing the prisoner fan to pieces
on the stone door. IL was sim
ply stuffed figure with the
Barnn's clothes on. while the Baron him
self had taken French leave. The Baron
/ had won the confidence OF prison Official
u a a e. . b