New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-15
BIRCHELL'S ANTECEDENTS.
THE ALLEGED MURDERER SAID TO BE
sLORD COURTNEY
IDENTIFIED BY A MAN WHO MET HIM WALKING
IN THE ROAD NEAR THE SCENE OF THE
MURDER OF BENWFIL.

Buffalo, March IA (Spccall.-rherc is still another
sensation in the of J. Rex Birchcll, the trim
young Englislman charged with killing Bcnwel'
There are indications that he is no other than Lord
Hugh Leslie Courtney, of the British Navy whom
many New York swclls7 have good cause TO remcn-
Der. Lord Courtney made his first appearance as
a member of the aristocracy in Philadelphia several
years ago, where the most exclusive people couldn't
do enough for him He lived royalty, borrowed right
and left and then disappeared. soon after he
fascinated Long Branch ana Newport. His social
triumph in Buffalo is point here too The
Csrys and other exclusive families here received him
with open arms. suddenly he disappeared and
later under another name. swindlcd a Montreal
merchant ont of large sum. The last heard oi
= Lord Courtney" was from England. where he had
taken he tried for forgery Philadelphia deicc-
tivcs are reported TO be working Oh the case.
Woodstock. ont. March 14.-Brchc, the alleged
murderer induced last evening 10 make a safe
concerning the purpose of his coming 10 Canada.
but cond not be persuaded to- any thing That
would throw any light on Benwels murder or his
movements the fatal day. Birchcl said he
came TO Canada as pupil farmer. 1.-THE :lm OF
Ford. Rathbun Co.." said he "took so from me
0nd promised to secure me first class place on
fine Canadian farm. came here with my wife We
came through TO Woodstock and | met Pupil Farm
iug Agent Mcdonald. He said lie would fix me all
right and in a few days sent me out 70 farm near
Springfield / could hot stand II and stopped there
only day and half We then took up our
residence at Woodstocl. Pclall is also one of the
pupil farmers and sent ont by the same agency.
| think the firm has now changed. and is Ford y
Co., and that tho address is New Wall Brook Wien
returned TO England Threatened 10 bring an action
against them. because things in Canada were not
what they represented. found that conld no. ic'
cover my money. lccauSc had signed contract
before leaving bnt when threatened TO expose their
methods they compromised by returning part Of tho
money / had paid them. That shows YOU what
class OF they are. They nom
a big position in England and to an
applicant they will show stack Of original
recommendations from bishops, canons, peers and
Others They are making piles of money ont OF the
business They have also agents IN OHIO ana some
other Western states.
authorities suspect that have no such amount as
$4,000 IN the Imperial Bank, and that SIMPLY nseu %
posted the amount with the bank in stocks and bonds
and when the time zones the deal VIII be maze 'l1,i
| will bring number of witnesses from En5l1hd Du1
] at liberty to say what intend 10 prove Dy
II was learned from Hirchcll'- counsel that the pnn
cipa line of defence will be that the prisoner coud not
possibly have walked the dtancG from innec'|n g. IA
committed the murder looked the clothes cut oni
the name from them and returned TO the station be-
tween the hours Of II q. and 3 p m, during which
time il appears that BenWell lost his liir
This morning Charles Buck. who lives half mile
from the scene Of thc murder accompanied by De
tective Murray. called at the jail I" IDENTIFY the pr,
cncr. Buck was driving home from Woodstock on
February L. the dav on which the murder Is
supposed To have been committed. when about
30 O'Clock he aCcOster h ~ man,
The stranger asked the way 10 Coolies. saying ~ re-
sponse 10 a question that he wanted 10 90 10 Woo
stock Buck told him he within one and one lltN
miles OF Eastwood that II not necessary to -
10 Coolies if he wished 10 reach Woodstock Inc man
was OF medium size. about feet or inches IN
height dark complexion and dark mustache. and wore
a sort Of peaked fur skin cap aud short sack coat
of blush color. His feet muddy. as II D" haf
been walking. The spot j. alOnt three miles from '
scene Of the murder BirchcM Wa brought ont of d.
cell into the corridor and confronted By Buck; As
soon a. tie latter the prisoner, although ~
clothes were different he recognized him as the stranger
who a.cOSfed him the road \ FUR cap when Wa
found in Eirchcls baggage wa> placed Oh the prisoner
head. and this completely satisfied Buck VINO eN
claimed Yes that the man Buck then cNltin"i
that tic coat which Iirchell Wore when he law him
belonging TO Birchell which tho detective has IN his
custody.