The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-09
GRAHAM A
SLICK ONE.
He Made Friends With
College Students.
THEN HE ROBBED THEM.
PiIferings Finally Exposed by Boss
Croker's Sons.
THEN HE ROBBED THEM.
ARRAIGNED ON THREE CHARGES

Harold L, Graham reached Providence about
three weeks go, and in the short space OF
time since that date he has proved himself to
be a very slick conf lence man and sneak
thief OF no mean ability. But he has now
reached the end Of his rope, and the pros
poets are that he will now have considerable
time for meditation while languishing under
Warden Walls care at the state prison.
Graham made his initial bow to the Provi-
dence public at Brown University whore he
introduced himself TO the steward, A. g. De-
laney. He stated he was graduate of Kings
College, Nova Scotia, and that he contemplate
ed entering business here as an insurance SO.
licitor. He desired TO know what rooms Mr..
Delaney had on his list, and claimed that
Miss Dexter, who keeps fashionable board
ing house on Waterman street, had suggested
his seeing Mr.. Delaney. He had made ar
rangements to take his meals at Miss Dexter's
house, but she had no spare room for him.
Steward Delaney keeps list of rooms, out
side of the college, for students, and among
the available ones was one in the Pease
House, college dormitory on Benevolent
street. Graham was so affable and had such
a pleasing way. and, further, rs he stated
that he contemplated taking post-gra luate
course in law at the university that finally
Mr. Delaney let him have the room, with the
agreement that he should pay rent for it at
the end CT each month.
So Graham was Tsoon installed as habitue
of the Pease House. and his first move was TO
ingr atiate himself into the friendship OF the
other young men who had rooms there. He
Al ..,st L
Croker andI Frank II. Croker, two brothers,
sons of "Boss" Richard W. Croker Of New
York, and proceeded at once TO cultivate
their acquaintance.
Matters progressed swimmingly, but with
the beginning of the acquaintance with Gra-
ham the Croker boys began to miss things
from their room, articles Of apparel and
knickknacks, and they decided to keep an eye
on their new friend.
In the meantime Graham had been extend
ing his acquaintance and had visited the
Providence county court house, where he in.
troduced himself to Sheriff Hunter G. White.
To Mr.. White he claimed to be the son of
Judge Graham OF New York, and he solicited
for him self and for the Croker boys whom
be claimed as his best friends, an introduc-
tion 10 Warden Frank Wall.
Mr.. White gave the letter, and in il he re-
quested that the boys be shown through the
state institutions. including the Jail. During
this interview Graham learned tfIHt Mr.
White has son at Brown University, ana he
~ ohce proceeded 20 make his acquaintance.
Last night Graham presented himself at the
box Office Of the Columbia Theatre. and by
stating that he was the Brown University
correspondent Of the Boston Herald gained
admittance TO tho show.
In the meantime the Croker boys had not
been idle. They secured sufficient proof to
openly charge Graham Of the theft of several
articles, and learning that he was Mt the Co.
lumbia they sent word to him that friend
from New York had come on to see him, and
desired to see him Immediately at his room.
Presently Graham appeared and the Croker
boys were ready for him. They told him
what they had learned and openly charged
him with the theft. Graham at first main
tanned his innocence, but finally broke down
and confessed that he was the thief.
Young White was in the room at the time.
and the plan of the three boys was TO chastise
Graham, and after ducking him under the
college pump TO turn him loose and give him
tWo uours 10 get Oub of tOWn.
The entrance Of about 30 other collegians.
among them several who had recently missed
things from their rooms, at this stage caused
q postpoueinent Of the merited punishment.
and Graham was held until the arrival OF n
policeman, tnto1whose charge he was given.
quantity OF the stolen property was
found in Graham's room, and at the time of
his arreset he was attired in suit OF stolen
under clothes.
During his brief .stay here the young man
has tried 10 get credit on every possible occa.
fion. He has been to stable Keepers and other
places, and few days ago attepmted TO eos
suit OF clotes at down town store. giving
% references the name of Mr.. Delaney.
Graham was arraigned in the District
Court this morning on three charges of lar.
ceny and was held for trial. He wan ted the
story kept out Of the tpapers, and claimed IL
was all q mitaske and n practical Joke, and
merely part of initiation work.
The young men at the college arc, how.
ever, congratulating themselves that Graham
Is under arrest, and feel glad that his series
Of .'initiations'' are now ended.
The fellows real name IL said TO be II
smith English. aud that he halls from Wood.
This afternoon English. alias Graham. was
arragned before Judge Sweetland. He plead
ed guilty 70 the three charges, and on the
frst was sentenced TO pay fine OF $50 and
costs, on the second $40 and costs, and on the
third ten days in Jail.