The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-12
AFTER MANY YEARS.
An Extraordinary Story That
Was Told by Defaulter.

The following story is taken from the
Melbourne Argus of recent date: The ex-
traordinary career of a man named f. L.
Williams has been brought to light in
curious manner, and the circumstances,
when related, will recall to the memory of
many old residents of Geelong and Balla-
rat the facts of a long forgotten and extern
sive robbery committed at the gold-helds'
city when it was still in its infancy, and
while the events of the Eureka Stockade
were but of recent occurrence. 1t appears
that Williams. who latterly has been
hotel-keeper of Auckland, New Zealand,
divulged some of the details Of his misspent
life while under the influence of drink, and
afterward, Oh being interviewed by the
police, volunteered a lengthy statement,
duplicating himself in numerous audacious
embellishments committed in England,
America, and the colony of Victoria. In
the course OF his recital he narrated the
circumstances under which he had
robbed Mr.. Joshua Vines, of this town,
of sum OF $1,000, while employed by
that gentleman in confidential tcapa--
city al Ballarat in the early, part of
1866. The authorities at Auckland COM
munieated with the police here to ascer-
tain if such a robbery had occurred, and it
was then found, on referring to official rec
ords, that the robbery had actually occurred
in the manner described by Williams. MI
Vines, who is the principal partner in
the well-kn0wD stage-coach proprietary of
Vines and McPhee, was carrying on the
business Of gold broker in the year named.
lie met Williams at Ballarat, and tlrst
became acquainted with him through pur-
chasing gold from him. On one occasion
Mr.. Vines gave him G10 note in mistake
for 81, and Williams shortly atterWard re-
turned it. This act of honesty on his part
impressed Mr.. Vines so much that he ait
eTward gave him an engagement IN connec-
ton with his business as gold broker. How
ever, though Williams could afford to be
honest with few pounds, he entertained
no scrupleS about apprOpriatlng thou
sands. One Saturday afternoon Mr.. Vines
was taking a bag containing 42OC0 to the
bank when he heard that coach which
he had running between Ballarat and
Gre swick had knocked down a woman and
seriously injured her. In his anxiety to
ascertain the nature of the accident Mr..
Vines altered his original Intention, and
handed over the bag and the money to the
care Of his virtuous clerk. The latter left
with the intention of depoSltlng the money
in the bank, but never reached the lnstitu.
ton, and Mr. Vines heard nothing more OF
the whereabouts of his clerk or his money
until he was communicated with by the
police. A large reward was offered ~ the
time for Williams apprehension, but 1t
was always thought that he had gone to
England or the United States. According
to his own statement, Williams must have
commenced his career of roguery at a very
early age. He is now about 81 years old.
but says that he first went astray IN 49,
In that year he was employed as Junior COL
lector for Coates, Head u Co.. cotton manu-
facturerS, of Manchester, aud, having de-
sire to travel, cleared out with $500 belong
ing to his employers. He made his way to
New Orleans, in America, and after time
secured position as clerk in the office #
merchant named Massey He gained the
confidence OF his employer, and IN return alb
seconded with 5000. He returned to England,
and alleges that he joined the Sixteenth
Lancers. The new occupation proved lrk-
SOme and not being able 10 stand the discl-
pliue OF military life he deserted after
years service, and paid another visit to the
States. His old luck continued, and he
must furthermore have been an accom-
pliShed SwindleT, as he secured position
as manager Of bank in Nevada City. Al
ter a short period he retired from tins post
and took with him $4,000 from the funds OF
the bank. He did not remain in the States
longer than IL took him to reach the sea-
board. and he returned to his native city OF
Manchester Although there were nunler-
Gus rewards offered for his arrest, he never
altered his name, and after spending some
time in England he proceeded In search OF
new fields for his enterprise. lie visited
Cape Colony at one stage of his career and
started farming, but was obliged to leave
bis homestead owing to the outbreak OF the
kdffir war, After this he paid another visit
to America, ana then came to Bdllarat.
where he committed the robbery on Mr.
Vines. 1t is not likely that MIR. Vines will
take any steps to bring him back.
In answer to a question asked by The
CALL of one OF the prominent citizens OF
Nevada City. one who has resided there for
great many years. the following reply was
received:
NO such man as f. p. Williams has at
any time been engaged in banking here;
nor has such man ever swindled bank
here out of any sum-"