Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-28

UNDER THE GUIsE OF A GEoLoGIsT HE FLEECEs
SCIENTIFIC MEN.
1t was mentioned in yesterdays STAR that
the Milwaukee. Wis, police made a most i'm
pOrtant arrest in the person OF Leo Lesquereaux,
a geologst, who is alleged to have been con-
Quoting a series of swindlng operations in va
rious parts of the country. A dispatch from
that city to the n. Y. Times says: Lesquereaux
came to Milwaukee about a week ago, and
straightway proceeded to dispose OF some books
of which he claimed the ownership. He repre-
scented himself AS employed upon the United
states government survey for the northwest.
and as such sought the acquaintance OF scien-
tific men in various localities wherever he
Whitewater about two weeks ago, and
by his glib talk and immense selfassur-
ance obtained the confidence of w. +. Bundy,
professor OF sciences at the Whitewater normal
school. His leaving Whitewater and the disap-
pearance of a lot of valuable scientific books
were SO closely allied that it was concluded that
the man and the books had departed together
Prof. Bundy came to Milwaukee and reported
to the police the loss. In Milwaukee Prot
Bundy obtained track of LeSquereauX through
Prot Peckham, of the high school, to whom he
had sold two or three OF the stolen books. 1t
was also learned that he had sold some books
to Thomas A. Greene and others to Prof. Rog-
ers. Prosecuting his inquiries still further,
Prof. Bundy learned that a man answering Les
quereaux's description was working at the pub
lie museum, and the police being notified, his
arrest was easily effected. The charge lodged
against him at the station was that of receiving
stolen property.
Prof Peckham called at the police station
and had an interview with the prisoner. He
was greatly surprised at his arrest and was
convinced that he was very learned man, a
skilled scientist, and felt complimented at ac-
Quiring his acquaintance. LesquereauX had
become quite intimate with Prof Peckham, at
whose house he had taken dinner. He had
also spent evenings at the house of Mr.. Greene,
and entertained the family with stories OF his
travels and scientific achievements. He said
he expected to clear himself as soon as he could
examination.
toned the names OF several prominent scien-
fists and gsologists in Ohio. Michigan, Penn
whom he was intimately acquainted,
times been Professionally associated I'd IL, II
graphed to and that message be sent to Score
tary Lamar, in whose department he claimed TO
saying Re did not p Wish to be- Illuminated by So
doing. He said that numerous cases of SWIM
ding charged to him were the work of another
prisoner's) name. When brought to the station
the prisoner gave his name as Leo LesQuereaux,
and stated that he was 40 years old and a native
OF France. His left hand Is missing, AID In
place thereof Is an artificial hand. He is OF
medium height, with blonde moustache, wears
eyeglasses. and is shabbily dressed. He did not
The swindling operations in which Leo Les
quereaux has been engaged in various parts OF
the ef 20 ee ~ ene
reaux was traced in his wanderings over the
country for three years past by the audacious
and clever schemes he has resorted to in order
to obtain money. He assumes a number Of
names, and always claims to be the son OF
brother Of some geologist known personally OF
by reputation to other geologists. His specially
IL paleOntolOgy, and In January, 1884, he com
pletely deceived Prof. X. p. Whitfield, OF the
American Museum of Natural History. prob
ably the best paleontologist In the country
he then passed as E. p. Strong, OF Fort scott
Kansas, and claimed TO be . cousin o
Moses NJ. Strong, of Wisconsin, who wa
drowned while descending the Flambeau
Rapids some years ago in prosecuting the Wis
consin geological survey. He next turned uE
| In Philadelphia as w. K Taggart, aud wormed
himself into the Inequalities Of Prof Hayden Q
| the United States geological survey. He carried
| on one Of Prof Hayden's most valuable books
| ward learned that the same fellow had been u
| see him on Q former occasion and then borrowed
| 800. He then wore black whiskers and gave
4 his name Is Prof T. 8. Holmes, of Charleston
/ 81 G. Under the name OF Lee, In Connecticut
he q said 70 have swindled one man out OF $3O(
and another out OF 600. He once called at thu
aufveyors once, In Washington, and was In
Wed 10 cali again. when IL was intended TO ar
rest him, bat he did not call second time.