The San Francisco call., 1898-10-12

From all parts of the world comes con- firmation of the bad record of Charles A. Williams, the alleged wealthy South African mine-owner, with whom one of the most popular and certainly one of the handsomest of San Francisco's belles was to have linked her fair name this after noon.
 The astounding reveIations made in re- gard to Williams startled. though they did not astonish, the select circles in which he and his fancee moved.
 For more than week the story in in complete form has been upon the street, and all well known club and society men have been discussing it in its many and devious phases.
 The rumored story was at its best but patchy. The gossipy seed was sown, strewn broadcast and the crop reaped. and each stalk bore a vastly different though interesting story.
 Unlike the usual tale of the soldier of fortune, the social highwayman or daring adventurer, there was lacking in all the accepted versions that element of honor where woman is concerned. This man used woman to further his adventures.
 The story of the change of name was culled from the alleged authentic source or Williams own statement. An orphan of tender years, reared to healthy, sturdy boyhood by a maternal uncle, and the name of White, in loving recognition, was doffed for Williams. There was a pa thetic side to this adopted-name story, and 1t was, on account of its appealing popularity. immediately adopted and pro- mulgated. The most remarkable part of all the gossipy tit-bits, however, faded into insignifcance beside the astonishing fact that no man told either wife, sister or sweetheart
 Feminine society regaled itself with the unusual circumstances surrounding the
 
 the munifcence of the bridal gifts of more than devoted lover and the untold wealth that would be the fair young brides. Man discussed the mysterious revolting stories, and lacking the neces- sary proof to back up all he heard, dis creetly held his tongue.
 The public exposure of Williams dual existence comes as a relief to all. The sterner sex felt relieved of a weighty responsibility, and to woman was ex- plained many things that she wanted to but could not understand. Williams social career was marked by rare tact and unusual good taste.
 His dress-the apparel that should pro- claim the man-was in the best of form. He wore his clothes like a man accus- toned to the demands of fashion. He en- tertained like the worthy scion of a noble house. His wines were also just so. The flowers he sent were exquisite. Every thing he did proclaimed the wealth that covers the vulgarities of mere money.
 His tastes were modest. The obstreper- ous, the boisterous, did not appeal to him. To dainty young bud who laughed aloud in the corridors at Hotel Del Monte he gently said: Don't laugh out loud You are no longer a child, but young woman. Never laugh out loud.'
 Mammas with marriageable daughters overwhelmed him with attention. He was asked everywhere. All the country homes were open to him, and there Is no doubt that he might have had almost any girl for the asking
 The only percepttble drawback to gen. tlemanly manner were awkward slips of the tongue. ''Youse' and dem slurred themselves easily upon his lips, while now and then his subjects and predicats rebelliously disagreed.
 However these slips of the tongue only added to the romantic halo the girls built round the magnetic personality of the millionaire from South Africa. Grammat- ical lapses but emphasized the fact that a struggling man had forged his way by force of intellect and industry to the front, and had come off triumphant with diamond mines galore and untold wealth to tell the tale.
 Williams personality was not small factor in gaining for him immediate social recognition. There Is a magnetic some thing about the man that appeals to woman, and a good square chin, clear, piercing blue eyes and dictatorial manner make up an ensemble that the majority of fair ones admire.
 His generosity added to the good favor with which he was accepted. Even yes terday, with the town all agog at the re- markable disclosures, attention still turned to the magnificent necklace of pearls, with diamond bars, gorgeous rings and bracelet of brilliants that form a minor part of his princely gifts to the fair f1ancee.
 The Pinkertons have been Investigating Williams.
 A prominent Chicagoan now in this city said last night: "I am perfectly familiar with the history of Williams life in Chi cago and Wyoming. The story published in The Call yesterday is true In every de- tail.
 1t Is a reproduction of the official rec ords on file in the various police offices of those cities. The man is we'll known. as there Is not the slightest doubt as to his identity. The Charles A. White charged with many crimes is the Charles A. VII Hams now in this city.
 The following additional information from Cheyenne regarding the life of Mir. Williams in Wyoming was received in this city yesterday:
 No sllrprisA was cai1sed hera hv tba ra