The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-21
BOGUS LORD BERESFORD.
AN ENGLISH SWiNOLER NEAR THE
END OF HIS ROPE.
How Hs Yic;.miZe6 Georgia People Into
Whose Confidence lie Il Ead Ingrutiated
Himself-CauGht In New York An ALI

HiNSell-SauGbt In New YORK An All
Round Rascal.
ROME, Ga, Oct. lG.-Thcre is on
trial i'll this pretty little city one Of the
most accomplished confidence men,
whose name is I,ascel!es. He assumed
the name Of Lord Bercstord. 4 local
paper lells the following facts as tie
opening chapter to series OF rascally
tricks perpctra,ed upon those who re-
cclved him in Rome with every courtesf
tina. could be expected by one OF so much
distinction as he claimed:
Ia January last T. J. Maguire. presi-
dent of the Corporate Sales Syndicate Of
New York, arrived here On a business
visit. y uong his friends here is tie
wealthy firm OF Hamilton s. Co., who
also own the Etna Furnace. Mr.. Ma
euire had received letters Of introduc-
ton from friends in the English capital,
requesting that Walter Beresford should
be furnished with information with ref
erence to Southern Investments. MI.
Maguile came first to Rome 10 prepare
for his locdship's coming, and desired
that he might be treated royalty as an
English gentleman.
In due time came the willy Walter. In
response to a telegram, Mr.. Mcguire
met his ]ordship' January Is, and pro-
ceeded with him to inspect the Etna fuc-
mace. Upon their return Deresford was
duly introduced as blue-blooded Briton
of sixteen quarterings, the son Of Lord
William Berestord," a real old Indian
officer, who was about to be retired On
an enormous pension. Mr.. Walter 5.
Beresford" had also served beneath the
"torrid suns OF InGe," and was himself
to be retired on a BIZ pension. His
present income was fl0,000. He had
an enormous amount Of money. lie
wanted TO invest where he could get
good interest. This couldn't be had in
England. don't you know. The South
was really wonderful country. lie
would invest heavily and Immediately.
Beresford was handsomely entertained
by the Hamiltons, and played his part
well-up. Finally he came down TO bus.
mess. He liked the Etua furnace, aod
upon his return to New York would
complete arrangements with his agents
for the purchase. When ready to de-
part from Rome he appeared at the store
of Hamilton & c., and stated that he
was ridiculously short offunds. Uewas
careless about these things. He never
carried much money about with him.
Would they generously cash small bit
OF paper for him. They did. lie wrote
a draft for 5e200 on the Westminster
Bank, Limited, London the depository
of the blue-blooded nobs OF London. He
also wrote letter to his alleged father,
Lord William Beresford With many
etfusive good-byes he took his departure,
cstensibly to look after valuable proper
ties in Savannah.
lie also carried with him 4 valuable
diamond ring, tbs property Of Miss
Maude Allgood. The indictment states
"he l.aving requested Mss Maude ALI
good to let him wear the diamond rlng
Cor two weeks as his mascot and bon
voyage promising faithfully TO return
said ring at the expiration Of the Two
weeks, which promise was falsely and
fraudulently made" Incidentally it
may be mentioned that Miss Allsood is
one Of the bellies Of Rome.
Inquiry Of the British consul at Savan.
nah developed the fact that Berestord
was fraud. that he had approached the
consul for money TO pay bis hotel bill
and claimed to have only sl3 in all the
wide world. After bit the returns
commenced coming in. ''N1 tunds''
was reported with the returned dishon-
ored draft. The letter written by the
lackadais:cal lord to his alleged father
was returned, with innumecsble post
marks, unopened. Communication was
opened up between Mr.. Mcguire aud the
IIamilt0ns, with Il view to apprehending
the willy scamp. Mr.. Mcguire saw his
lcrdship in New York on more than one
occasion, but was unable to capture him.
On July 5, Sheriff Moore, Of Rome,
received a telegram stating that Walter
S. Berestord had been arrested in New
York charged with swindiing, and asked
him to come on with warrant. When
the sheriff arrived in New y ork he found
his lortlship considerably liouized; no
less than ten requsitions were presented
tor hlrn and every body wanted him.
The Police Gazette, having been tapped
for $500, trapped his lordship. Although
the best legal ability was exercised to
prevent his being carried back to Rome,
vet the eloquen;e Of Col. John r. Eel
lows and Mr.. w. BourNe Cochran was
unavaillng. \ big crowdawaited his re-
turn to Rome. He was accompanied by
his wife, very attractive woman OF
graceful carriage and sweet voice, evil
IDENTIFY thoroughly refined lady. Hav-
ing accompanied her to hotel, the
parting was very affecting, he himself
seeming quite overcome.
Arrived at the jail. he was assigned to
cell, which he had made ready with
some bedclothes he had brought from
New York, while he sat and smoked
HAVANA cigarettes. lie is described as
man Of about .hirty-four years Of age,
brown hair. blue eyes, and prominent
nose. While not handsome, he is cer-
tanly attractive looking. HIS carriage
and manner are those Of a gentleman.
His language and well-modulated voice
show him to be a man OF education.
Mrs Lascelle 'Beresford' is said to be
the daughter OF very rich lady, es:i-
mated to Worth $7.000,000 and resld-
ing in beautiful home at Bclvoir-on-
the-Hudson- Her maiden name was
Maude Lil;enthal. There is quite a
chapter connected with his pursuit OF
her, the objections OF the mother. and
the wedding in little Pennsylvania
summer resort IN the middle Of the win
ter.
His operations seemed to have COW
cred very wide range IN this country
and Canada. 1t is said he committed g
burglary il April, 1890, in Manchester,
England, and stole $4,000 worth Of
diamonds and jewelry. The following
letter, written by the city editor OF the
Journal, st. Thomas, Ontario, gives a