Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-17
A PROFESSORS DOWNFALL.
jacksonville Circles Stirred Up by
an Alleged Counts Downfall.


JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Sept. 16-Jack-
| sonvile's high social circles-the bon ton,
the literati and music-loving circles
were shaken to their foundations this
morning by the sudden announcement
Of the fact that Prof. Won Weller, the d.
rector Of the Philharmonic Society,
! teacher Of music and Instructor OF church
chOirs, had proved to he either sneak
thief and confidence man or born klep-
tOmanac. The professor is now In the
hands of the law and will probably turn
his versatile talents to turpentine gath
ering on the convict farm in Suwannee
| county.
The professor came here about year
ago from Cincinnati, where, 1t is alleged,
he was teacher in the famous Musical
College OF that city. He also claims to
have been teacher OF music IN the Notre
| Dame Ind. Catholic Institute. He also
says he has lived in California, and
claimed to own a splendid orange grove
there near Los Angeles. He has also re-
sided at various places in Missouri, and
at Topeka, Kan.
POSING AS A COUNT.
Upon his arrival here he took apa part-
ments at the st. Johns House, where be
has boarded ever since. At the hotel he
| soon made known his musical culture,
and was not long in ingratiating himself
| into the acquaintance and favor OF the
Opera House management and the leaders
in musical and dramatic circles. He
confided to some that he was In reality an
| Austrian Count, giving his true name
as "Count Ravul Geot Won Goustenan,"
but owing to family differences and po-
| litical troubles at home, had decided to
| come to America. He had, ne alleged.
| splendid ancestral estates there, which
he would come into possession Of
sooner or later. He frequently
wrote to supposed TITLED people in Aus
trla, and always took the pains to show
and talk OF these letters. He IS undoubt-
edly man Of good deal OF musical cul-
ture and fine general intelligence. He
dressed well and possessed an abundance
Of cheek and suavity of manner. He
very soon won his way into the conf
dence OF some OF the best people OF the
city. He was chosen director OF the
| Philharmonic Society, and after this
seems to have carried things In high old
way.
| AFFAIRS OF THE HEART.
He fell In love with no less than three
highly connected and accomplished young
laues OF the city, and In turn proved the
| ardent devoted lover to each. He repre-
sented to them his fine talents, his noble
| lineage. and what a great mistake II
would be for them to refuse his offer OF
marriage. He told them that he would
write to his father, the Count Won Will
| ingburgh, in Austria, and have him attest
to his nobility and the possession Of large
estates. Fortunately the young ladies
are women OF superior sense and caution.
| and, not particularly loving the suaVe
| professor, declined the brilliant offer.
DIR. Mallette, OF the then firm of Sum
mers a Mallette, Is President OF the Phil
harmonic Society, and through him Prof.
Won Weller made their Office his head
quarters. For several months past both
| Drs. Summers and Mallette have missed
valuable cases OF surgical instruments,
| pictures, books, bric-a-brac, ETC., from
their office. but at such intervals that no
watch could be kept for the thief. Prof.
| Won Weller was never suspected.
GOING TO CALIFORNIA.
Some two weeks ago he packed his
| trunk and boxes at the st. Johns House
and notified the landlady that he thought
of going to California on n trip. He
owed Sl02 for board, but intimated that
be would settle that before leaving. He
then disappeared from the house and was
not seen there again until Monday last,
| when he appeared again and gave some
plausible excuse for not going, and also
for not paying up.
The Offices of Drs. Summers and Nal.
lette are In the Elv block, in which there
are also other offices and a number OF
sleeping rooms on the third floor. II. S.
| Ely, owner of the block, also has an o.
| fee there and 10 member OF the Philhal-
monies. Prof. Won Weller frednonted
| his office Wednesday. Mr.. Ely missed
| key that was left at his office by one OF
his tenants who was out OF the city, and
went to the room to see If the door was
locked. Upon entering the room he saw the
bed dishevelled and the room looking
badly used Happening to look under
the bed, he then discovered Prof. Won
Weller. He also noticed lying on bureau
a fine $50 meerschaum pipe belonging TO
DIR. Mallette, which had been missing sew
eral weeks before. Prof. Won Weller was
asked what he was doing there. He gave
as an explanation that he had been on a
big spree, and In wandering around In
the building found the room open and
came in.
WHAT SEARCH REVEALED.
Mr.. Ely told his discoveries TO DR.. NAL
lette, and 1t was decided to go into an in
vestigation. In the meantime Prof. Won
Weller fled from the building and disap-
peared. Drs. Simmons and Mallette got
out q search warrant, and had his effects
at the st. Johns House searched, when
the truth came to light. Prof. Won We'll
Ter had been stealing from them and
OJueT pdTheb peISlsleHbly, anu J0eTe
was taken from his room over
$500 worth OF valuable personal
effects. A lady at the hotel some weeks
ago lost fine diamond ring which she Is
now confident Prof. Won Weller got. Mr..
Ely has frequently lost small sums of
money from his room, at one time $35 be-
ing taken.
Prof. Won Weller was found this morn
ing secreted in the Union Congregational
church, TO which he had KEY, and ar
rested. Upon his preliminary trial before
Justice Jackson he was committed to the
county Jail to await the action OF the
grand Jury.
Thomas County's Legislative Ticket.
TOWNSVILLE, GA, Sept. lG.-The pri-
mary election for Representatives from
this county resulted in the nomination of
Hon. $. q. McLendon and Il. j. Franklin.
MIR. McLendOn's nomination was con.
ceded by all from the beginning, on ac-
count or his natural ability and emiaent
fitness.
Mr.. Franklin is a strong Prohibitionist.
This was made an issue, and many Of