The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-05-20

The only woman that nave Jfleu 10
get money or valuables from have been
women for whom / had no respect"
Magistrate Milligan did not produce
the testimony that would have brought
shame and disgrace upon a young
woman OF one Of the most respected
families in the country, and all that has
been learned from the police concern
ing her is that she is Of wealthy parents
in New York, and that becoming infat-
uated,with Graf while travelling in the
West a few years ago, she was engaged
to be married to him until the reyela-
tions of his career brought about by his
arrest here. Magistrate Milhgan wrote
her, detailing her tiance's criminal
achievements, and yesterday he re-
ceived from her letter expressing her
gratitude for being saved the disgrace
that threatened her.
HIS HISTORY.
When the swindIer was tried last
week he showed his shrewdness by
pleading guilty TO the charges brought
against him by persons in this city,
thereby shutting off the testimony that
would have been elected as to his past
career. When the Chief OF Detectives
Wood asked him in private interview
following this pleading what his real
name was the prisoner replied that no
one should ever discover that. He
cunningly said he wanted to shield
prominent people from scandal, and
therefore he preferred to suffer for the
mistakes" he had made in Philadel-
phia rather than to permit anything
further of his history to be known.
The Chief Of Detectives intimated
that he would discover his identity, to
which the prisoner replied with look
OF incredulous contempt.
WANTED A QUICK SENTENCE.
Scarcely had Chief Wood left him
when he sent message to. the Judge re.
questing to be sentenced at once. Il
this had been done he might have es-
capped with considerably milder sem
tence. Magistrate Milligan, however,
had been before him ard had produced
before the Judge facts concerning the
rogue's career that had not previously
been brought to light. The sentence
was deferred for several days. Magis-
trate Milligan produced more facts and
the four years sentence followed to the
prisoners surprise.
After the sentence was imposed Magis-
trate Milligan and Chief Wood confined
to work to secure "Graff's history.
With the assistance OF Baltimore, Wash-
ington and New York police his career
was laid bare, the full facts being made
known yesterday.
HIS REAL NAME.
Then Magistrate Milligan announced
the fellows real name to be Thomas W.
Guerin, formerly page in the House
of Representatives, at Washington, with
the following aliases, known throughout
the country:
Benson NJ. Green.
John w. Thompson.
J.W. Graf.
7. F. L. Russell.
Guerin's mother is the historic
sHnfa who keeps 2 fruit stand In the
Gapitot at Washington. All that Chiet
Wood could. learn in that connection
was that she is a celebrated character.
Well-informed people remember one
woman OF that description who was
given the Capitol privileges by Presi-
dent Lincoln for federal services per-
formed during the war OF the Rebellion,
and who is known to all visitors at the
Capitol US "the Spy OF the Potomac"
a mann in the
House for years, He was very popular
with the Congressman and their asso-
ates, and took part in many q junket-
ing tour and was present at many re-
ception attended by the leading people
of the country. It was in this way that
the young fellow secured the acquaint-
anceship Of, the pocial lights in the va
rious cities in the country, who served
him so well in his subsequent swindling
operations from the Atlantic to the Pa
ciic. He claimed the acquaintance,
among others, Of the Armours, OF Obi.
cago, and the Astors and the Millses, OF
New York.
While a page he learned stenography,
and afterward secured a position In a
commercial establishment as q clerk.
By brushing shoulders with the guests
Of the swellest receptions at the nation.
al capital during his years OF service as
q page, he had acquired the highest So
ciety polish, and he had no difficulty in
marrying the daughter Of a very re-
spectacle Washington family.
AFAMous BALTIMORE 1IAIsoN.
Gner;n s;Ched for adventure. Lea7-
ing his young wife he went to Baltimore,
where he had liaison with a married
woman, a belle in the most exclusiveso-
cial circles. This was four years ago
and the scandal was nine days Won
der throughout the land. The woman's
husband secured q divorce, and she
Joined Guerin in Buffalo, N. W
whero she sought refuge from the
Baltimore police. In note to Chief
Wood, Marshal Jacob Frey, OF Bal
timore, said, referring to Guerin:
1--WE had him arrested under the
name of Benton NJ. Green in Buffalo, n.
Y, MAY 1S, 1887. He had obtained Sl6O
from Miss Johanna Deisler, of this city,
under the pretense OF taking her to Cali
fornia as governess. Alter getting the
money he skipped"
Guerin's refuge in Buffalo was discov-
cred through the divorced Baltimore
woman, who, before seeking him there,
dropped a telegram directing her to his
new place OF abode. After being arrested
in Buffalo, where he was living in great
style with the Baltimore woman, several
other victims appeared. When he was
taken back to Baltimore still another
was produced. The same trick had been
played with them all.
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