Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-06
CRUEL PRACTICAL JOKING.
Playing on the CredsIity Of an OCtngcna-
rian Farmer and His weIi-to-dO Son.

Eugene C. Austin is well-to-do far
mer living near Attica, Wyoming
County, writes correspondent of the
New York san. He is man 80 years
old and a man of fine personal appear
ancc. While perfectly rational and
capable in every other way, he believes
that his genius as politician has made
him one of the most prominent figures
in the country. His father. 4 wealthy
farmer, so years of age, shares in this
belief, and during the past five years
has spent thousands of dollars in furth-
ering the political advancement of his
son. This eccentricity OF the two men
has been encouraged by thOuThtless
persons. who find amusement in the
eXtravagances into which the singular
mania of the Austins leads them.
In 1879 the elder Austin assured his
son that he could secure the republican
nomination for member of the Assem-
bly,. He furnished the money with
which the canvass was to be made.
He bought a tally-ho coach, and en-
gagged a brass band of ten pieces. For
weeks the younger Austin drove this
coach. four-in-hand through the coun-
try, the band riding inside. Mock
demonstrations in his behalf We're held
in many places. at which he made
speeches. This freak cost several
thousand dollars.
After the election of Garfield the eld-
er Austin urged his son to go to Men
tor and present and urge his claim to a
foreign mission. The son did 50, the
old gentleman paying all the expenses
of the trip. The failure to obtain the
appointment was charged by both
father and son to the treachery of
trusted friends. and they renowned
allegiance to the republicans.
In 1888 a strange man and woman
appeared at the Austin farm. They
said they were man and wife, and had
come from Canada as ambassadors from
Lord Halford, who had been attracted
to the younger Austin by the fame he
had made in political circles in the
States. and who desired him to become
the husband of his only daughter. the
rich and beautiful Lady Anne. Old Mr.
Austin furnished the funds TO these two
strangers to return to Canada and ar
range for the marriage, and subsequent
" sent them hundreds of dollars. which
they said was necessary in the prelimi-
nary formalities of the proposed we'd
ding. These two swindlcrs were
evidently aided by parties in Attica.
who shared in the money obtained from
the credulous father and sou; and when
the story of their operations became
known friends of the Austins interfered
and stopped the game.
When the republican national con-
vention met in Chicago last summer,
letters were sent by practical jokerS to
the younger Austin, signed with the
names of republican leaders. stating
that the party must have his influence
once more, and offering him the second
place on the national ticket. Old Mr..
Austin insisted that Eugene must 90 to
Chicago and look after his interests
himself. He gave money to large
number of persons to pay their eX-
penses to Chicago, where they were to
boom his son. When Logan was nOmi-
mated for vice-presidcnt the Austins
denounced him as a traitor. They de-
clared that there was nothing left for
second place on the democratic ticket.
and sweep New York away from
Blaine Old Mr.. Austin chartered
special train of three cars, which he
was to ill with supporters of his son,
and sent them to Chicago to work Tor
him. He invested largely in banners,
notices and decorations Tor the train,
and had all his arrangements made for
the starting of the party, when another
sen. Elbridge Austin, who had long in
vain protested against the actions OF
his father and brother, asked and OBJ
tained the interference of the courts,
and the Chicago scheme was stUppeC
by legal proceedings.
The practical iokers still kept W
their working on the weakness Of ,hc
old man and his son, and they received
assurances that the latter would Ger
tainly be the democratic numiHce foI
vice-president. When Hendricks was
nominated, old Mr. Austin insisted that
now that he had been BETRAYED by both
of the parties, they would 60 to work
and defeat them both. and this was to
be done by Eugene becoming an indie
pendent candidate for president which
he did. just before election he received
a letter written on the official paper OF
the governor. and signed with his nanfe
begging Austin to withdraw from the
canvass in his Cleveland y favor, as
that would surely give the democrats
the victory, and in return the new