The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-30
Confidence Man Sentenced
to Imprisonment.
Crime Was Obtaining Money
Under False PretenSeS.
Nerve OF Culprit Was Not Shaken
When Sentence Was Passed.

known as the liking OF confidence men,
was sentenced by Judge Fessenden In the
Superior Criminal Court yesterday after
noon to not more than eight years nor less
than four years and six months In the
state prison.
Langley has been confined in Charles
street jail for nearly year, and was con
victed in the Superior Criminal Court In
October last Of obtaining large sums Of
money from several persons by means Of
false pretenses The case was fought at
every stage by his counsel, who took ex-
ceptions during the trial, and the decision
of the full bench of the Supreme Court
overruling the exceptions, was handed
down yesterday.
Immediately upon the government re-
celving notice OF the decision OF the full
bench, word was sent 20 Langley s cOunsel
that he would be called for sentence at
O'Clock In the afternoon. There were few
spectators In the court room when Judge
Fessenden took his seat upon the bench.
The government was represented by
Assistant District Attorney Sughrue, and
q. 4. Cary and II. j. Casey looked after
the interests Of the defendant.
Langley was ushered into the dock
shortly safter 3 o'clock and during the
proceedings he was cool and collected. He
went upon the witness stand and told tito
story Of his life, covering the period from
the time no first came TO Boston up TO che
time OF his arrest
When Clerk Manning read the sentence
Langley did not appear 10 bo at all dis
turbed and his counsel expressed the
opinion that the sentence was not by any
means as severe as they expected.
In opening the proceedings, MIR Srrhruc
called the courts attention TO the otienses
of when the defendant had bsen found
guilty. He said Langley had been for
years engaged In fraudulent schemes all
over the country, and in all parts OF the
country, he was celebrated AS "a sharper
ard schemer.
Capt Joseph Dugan OF the bureau of
criminal Investigation at police head
quarters was called to tho witness stand.
He said be had known Langley for 10
years. and in uhat time had investigated
20 different complaints He had talked
with Langley several times about his
schemes and the reply he always received
from him was thnt he had kept within
= tha lax, that he knew the law and knew
how far he could go
Capt Dugnn mentioned several schemes
in which Langley figured, and OF all the
business Concerns IN which Langley was
intercstea,ione were doing any Legitimate
business
Capt Dugan was cross-examined at
some length by Mr.. Casey in behalf of
Langley, but nothing new was brought
out, and the assistant chief inspector held
TO his former statements.
Langley was called by his counsel. and
IN response to the questions put by Mr..
Casey he said he was 81 wears old. Ho
came to Boston In 1850 Wont TO the war,
taking prominent part in organizing
the Seventh Massachusetts Artillery.
Remained in the service until the cioso OF
the war. After his return from the war
he gave his attention To Office business,
and was for years Interested in the south
American country. Engaged In the real
estate business and also published
newspaper the Southwestern Pioneer,
devoted To immigration.
The Netional Contract a. Supply Com
pany, he said, was organized under the
laws Of Vermont and certificate was
fled with tho commissioners of corpora
tions In this state. The businessiof the
con. pany was the sale OF articles necessary
for funerals. 1t included everything that
an undertaken would furnish. / was
partially tho father of this scheme, ho said,
The company had 20 90 out OF business
because the courts OF this state decided
that the company was Carrying on bUsi-
ness In violation OF the insurance laws. l
never proiltod one dollar DT the con pany.
My health Is not good. Have had several
surgical operations. made necessary by
injuries received during the war. Have
never bcen convicted of any criminal
otfense.
In reply TO Assistant District Attorney
Sughrue, Langley admitted that he had
az one time or another Teen connected
with about dozen concerns carrying on
all kinds OF business, from real estate
companies TO supply and Improvement
companies.
Lawyer Garry, for tho defendant, mndo
tie closing plea. aud asked his honor co
be lenient in imposing sentence. Mr..
Sughrue did not argue the case. leaving
the matter In the hands OF the courts
.Iudge Fessenden, before imposing sen
teDce, said be would take into cuns.dera-
ton the length of time. Langley had boon
confined In Charles street iniL and then
wrote on the buck OF the Indictment ths
sentence. Langley stood IN tho dock and
heard the sentence Of tho Coart. and was
then removed 90 the ronr ROOM VIII ,re tao
prisoners are kept before Icing removed 10
the state prison.
Langley was takon to tho Charlcstown
institution last evening and entered nt
once upon his sent0nCa His trst day
will he In solitary confinement, and teen
be Will ontar upon his sentence OF not loss
than four years and six months or not
mr. fHafl ali