The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-28
AGERMAN C0NSPIRAT0R
NE PLAYS a sHARP CANE ON ms
RIcHxOND FRIENDS.
PROMINENT German Citizens Duped by
Mar Who Tells Story About the s@'o
TO France of fertilization Plans

man. about five feet I'VE inches TALL light
completed, and had heavy moustache'
That he was a German one could tell at
first glance. lie spoke only broken Eng
ush with decided brogue, such as can
be heard among people hailing from the
southern part Of Germany. Before ne
left Iimmermanns Hotel ne inquired
whether there was not some beer Saloon
In this city kept by a resident OF schWa-
ben. The bartender could not give hlIn
any satisfactory Information, but dlrectel
him 70 Sanger Han, on norm SeFeNu
street.
Win better luck. After partaking Of an
other glass OF his native beverage ne put
the same question and was told 70 can
on the "schwabenwirth.' Mr.. LOUIS Gis-
selbrccht who keeps q saloon on cast
Main. near Fourteenth street
There the stranger went, and az once
introduced himself as a countryman OF
his lie had very winning ways. ana was
rather jolly in his manner OF talklhs'
ne and the Schwabenwirth soon took a
liking 10 each other and the stranger
becoming familiar told Mr.. Gissclorecht
that his name was Gustav Bayer, ana
mat ne hailed from Stuttgart, Wuerttem-
berg or that part of Germany when is
generally called Schwaben.
When he went into details as TO his
former life, It appeared that both Schwa-
ben were distanty related 70 each other.
Mr. Bayer told his newly-made friend mat
he had rich mother at home VINO owned
"A large country seat and farm, ana OF
whom he could secure 10000 marks at
almost any time. lie also had an older
brother who looked after the interests OF
the family.
While living I'm Germany. Mr.. Bayer
said. he never did any work, but lived
on the interest of his property. lie en-
tered the German army, and after serv-
ing one year as a volunteer. he came 10
this country about three years ago ana
selected 81. Louis as his future home.
There he remained for nearly two years,
the only occupation he INDUCED in being
the spending of some Of the money which
he brought with him. Becoming tired Of
this style Of living, he determined about
a year ago to return once more TO his
native country.
He had overlooked, however, as he
subsequently told Mr.. Gisselbrecht, that
ne had neglected 80 renew his leave of
absence before its expiration, and, when
he returned 10 his former home, the
military authorities once more pressed
him into service He Joined a battery OF
artillery stationed in Strassburg, and
there he became rather intimate with the
CAPTAIN and the two lieutenants OF his
battery, who visited him daily at his
room. The outcome OF this familiarity
according TO his statement 10 Mr. Gissei-
brecht, was that all entered into a con-
spiracy and secured plans of the forth
fcatfons Of Strassburg, which plans were
subsequently sold through Bayer TO the
French government The conspirators are
said to have received the sum OF 100000
francs from the French government, Tor
the reason. The crime, however, soon
after leaked cut and the officers were
convicted Of treason and sentenced TO
ten and eight years imprisonment
Bayer, who in the meantime had served
out his term in the military, escaped to
New York. and from there he came TO
Richmond to look up a friend by the
name OF Hermann Braenning, whom ne
had sent money 10 on several occasions
and with whom he expected TO 70 IN
business. While inquiring for his friend
en- this city, he learned that he had re-
Gently gone to Cincinnati
Bayer then changed his plans and told
Mr.. Gisselbrecht that he would remain IN
this city with a view of investing his
money in some solid business. Mr. Gissel-
brecht advised him to communicate with
the proprietors Of the Home Brewery, In
this city, who would perhaps be glad 10
take him into partnership. There Bayer
was received with open arms, and he
gladly accepted their hospitaiities, which
were lavished upon him with great liber-
atty. On one occasion an elegant VINE
supper was given in his honor, by some
Of his Richmond friends.
Bayer also became acquainted with Mr..
Charles e. Loenler the city agent Of
the Bergner q Engel Brewing Co., Of
philadelphia, who also heaped courtesies
upon him.
Somehow or other Bayer's revenues
diminished, and he was compelled TO ac-
cept loans from his new friends. which
were however, very readily given TOT
ne showed quite number OF foreign
bonds and French, German and Austrian
railroad stock. Finally some Of his friends
became tired Of his Boosting and asked
him TO arrange his matters as soon as
possible. He explained that he was only
waiting for his mail from Europe when
ne would straighten out everything. On
Wednesday morning he told some or MS
friends that he had received some good
news, but on the same evening he TOOK
French leave OF this city. Informing his
landlady that he had suddenly been call
ed TO Washington.
When 1 saw Mr. Gisselbrecht yesterday,
he admitted that Bayer had duped all
his friends in this city. At first sight he
created the impression of being perfect
~ harmless German, TO great extent
unfamiliar with American affairs and IN
stituuons, but Il looks now as II he I'M
derstood very well how 10 take advan-
tage OF other people. on one occasion he
showed Mr.. Gisselbrecht a letter.
purporting to have been written by the
German Counsel i'm New York. In this
letter Bayer was notified that a large
invoice OF goods had arrived for him
from Germany on which he would have
to pay $500 duty. Mr. Gissebrecht was
almost ready 10 raise the amount Tor
Bayer, but upon reflection he decided 10
first telegraph TO the German Consul for
additional information The reply came
back that no such person was known at
the German Consulate In New York and
that no invoice OF goods had arrived for
Bayer. Mr. Gissebrecht thinks now that
the letter had been first mailed by Bayer
TO New York, whence It was returned by
some one 90 this city.
saw Oficer Hall at the First Police
Station last evening, who had been con-
suited in the matter. lie stated that he
was under the impression that he had
seen printed circulars calling for the
arrest OF German fugitive from justice
whose description tailed with that Of
Bayer, and who was wanted 10 serve "A
sentence OF six years In Germany for
being an accessory in treason committed
against the German government Mr..
Hall added that ne had looked for this
circular. hut had not yet been able 10
md a.
MANCHESTBR MdTTERS.