New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-14
A SWINDLER WITH A RECORD.
THE BOGUS MR. MAYER A LONDON EXPERT.
Ills EXTRAORDINARY CAREER oY CRIME on TWO
COMMUNICATING FIRE TO HIS

CLOTHES IN AN ENGLISH JAZZ.
The history OF Harry Benson, alias Charles B.
Bourton. the swndler who got $4,000 from
Mexicans in $50 by pretending to be Mr. Ab''ey's
agent for the sale OF seats for Patti's concerts
told at length by Inspector Byrnes at Police Head
quarters yesterday. Benson, who has gone by
many false names and is declared TO be a most
adrot scOundrcl. was locked up in a cell under the
Detective Bureau. and he consequently could not
hear all the good and bad things that said
about him. He is forty-one years Of age, Of small
stature and dark complexion, and would he .
good looking man IL had not tried to burn him.
self to death in English prison some years ago.
According TO the police history he belonged 70 Q
good English family and had first class ednca-
tion as journalist before he became known as
rogue. His ability TO speak five languages, Eng
Iish French, German, Italian and Spanish helped
him in his career, both honest journalist and
a swindler. He editor Of a Paris news
paper during the Franco Prussian During
the siege Of Paris he got through the lines with the
help Of United States Minister Washbune, and
he lived at Lyons, France, for q time after thu
close Of the war
TAKIN Bogus SUBSCRIPTION IN LONDON.
Before he had left England he had been cast on
by his family on account OF gambling habits In
July. 1872, he returned to London with letters
of introduction to the Prince of Wales and 30 the
Lord Mayor and pretended that he author
lied to collect money for the aid OF the poverty
stricken people Of Paris. There was much SYM
pathy in England with the sufferers in Paris at
that time, and the Queen had started subscrip-
tion for their relief Benson exposed as a
fraud after he had received check for II 900
from the retiring Lord Mayor of London. Tho
money was taken away from him, and he was sent
to prison for year.
Bensons family suffered from the notorety at
/ tending his and at that time the rogue
| peared TO be overcome with remorsc. He poured
oil on his clothes and set fire to them: but tho
prison keepers rescued him after he had been
! burned seriously. lie recovered before he had
ryed out his term. but was Scared for life
After his release from prison he procured en-
| ployment on sporting newspaper published IN
London by man named Kerr, The paper was
devoted chiefly TO news Of the turf and Kerr was
trusted with large sums Of money By PSIs MS who
wished to make bets OH the races. While earn
ing % per week n reporter for the newspaper,
Benson discovered that Kerr was swndlng the
persons who entrusted their money 10 HIM. He
threatened TO expose Kerr, and Kerr took him into
! partnership
HIGH-crAss VICTIMS OF TURF AGENCY.
From that on they made large sums OF money
out Of persons who were infatuated with gambling
on the turf yet were ignorant of racing methods.
One Of their victims was the Countess Goncault,
who was swinded out of 5000 She finally
through their plan Of robbery and tried to
have them arrested For time the rogues kept
1
Indignation had been raised in London over the
apparent incapacity of the Scotland Yard de-
tectves. Later it was discovered that three OF
! the detectives Nicholiohn, NeslSowtz and Palmer,
had been interested in the swindiing business and
had helped to keep Kerr and Benson in hiding. All
| were convicted. Benson and Kerr were sent to
prison for fifteen years each, and the detectives
for four years each. After Benson had been in
prison for seven years he was released Oh ticket
| Of leave
In January 1885, he was arrested in Brussels
fap fnlS ftner lSaIl
agent and selling bogus news to syndicate OF news
papers. He managed to get out on bail and TO es-
cape from Belgium: He went TO Switzerland ne next
Before he was found out and arrested at Geneva.
he had forwarded some drafts to a bank in New
York. He managed to escape conviction in Switz.
erand, and he came to this city with the expect
alton of getting the money on the drafts The
s the Go directors es nd sent ts to Geneva
a record of his discharge. While thus engaged
he learned of Mr.. Abbey's plan to give Patti con-
money from the Mexicans before Mr.. Abbey got
got there In Mexico he dealt with tic l1et spec
atOs in order % h to the pnoG from g%S
Of a supposed public sale OF tickets might be tel.
egraphcd to this city With $4,000 Of Mexican
money in his pocket be took train for FL lnso
just in time TO escape arrest. The train was
| stopped on the way to FL Paso and searched buo
Benson had So discussed himself that he was not
| recognized lie exchanged his Mexican money
| for grecnbacks before he reached New-fork.
TIE DETECTIVES LONG HUNT FOR BENSON.
| Mr. Abbey telegraphed 60 the police Of this city
| about the swindle in Mexico. but Detectye-Ser.
| geants Adams and HANDY could not fndBcnson
1t was ascertained later that he had rctsrned 70
! Europe. The swinder made fving visit to this
city last year consult with his lawyer about the
| suit against the bank. j. Monroe of the Convict
| Supervision Office at Scotland Yard, London.
Gently sent to Inspector Byrnes picture of Benson
| and information about the roguc's move
| mcns. Il ascertained that Benson had re-
| turned TO this city . few weeks ago to press
| his suit against the bank that held his drafts.
| watch was set the office OF his lawyer and
| Benson was arrested there on Thursday. Inspec-
tor Byrnes yesterday refused to tell the lawyers
| name or the name OF the bank against which
| Benson had q suit Dencing.
After Bcnsons arrest a telegram was sent 70
| the Mexican authorities who replied: Hold the
prisoner The Government will take measures
| to extradte him. Mr.. Navarro, the M.x."an
quarters yesterday and arranged to appear against
| Benson before one of the United States Com
missioners to-day. Early in tie day Benson will
| be taken before police Justice and discharged as
| a suspicious person." Then he will be rearrested
| on Mr.. Navarro's Complaint.
| MEXICAN POLICE WANT HIM
CITY OF MEXICO. Jan. Is. via Gslveston.-Thc news
| from Henry E. Abbey that Henry Benson. who claimed
10 be Marcus Mayer who swnded persons here out OF
$50 by selling worthless tickets 10 the Patti con
certs had been arrested In NewYork Is the topic OF
conversation here The highest classes OF society were
taken in Mayors escape from the country has been
matter of mystery The Mexican police hope soon Ia
get hold Of him. and II IL 10 not possible through do
l they somebody