The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-23
REAL FRENCH
COUNT IN JAIL
Arrested In Chicago on a
Charge Of Forgery.
CLAIMS TO BE AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN
Charged With Obtaining Large
Charged With Obtaining Large
Amounts By Forgery,
Placed in Jail in Chicago He Loudly
Frotasts That He Never Was in
Canada and His Young Wife,
Carghter of Countess Intreville,
Wealthy Woman of Paris,
Breaks Down in Distress-Police
Are Puzzled.

Chicago. April Pm. E. L. Comte
De Coulouse Lautree was arrested to
day at the Auditorium hotel on a
charge Of forgery. 1t is charged that
the count visited Quebec. Canada, two
weeks ago and forged papers to secure
money.
The amount Of the alleged forgery is
not given but it is said to be large.
Today detective who has been trac-
ing Lautree saw him enter the hotel
and ask for his mail. At the detec-
tive's request the police arrested the
count and took him to the Harrison
street police station, where he was
locked up.
The Countess Lautrec is said to be
the daughter of the Comtesse de lEtre-
vile. one of the wealthiest women an
Paris. She was with her husband when
he was arrested and broke down when
she realized what was taking place.
She returned TO the house of friends in
this city Lautrec is a F'renchman>
His marriage occurred. in Paris eight
months ago.
he Denies It.
The prisoner denies that he IS guilty
Of any charge and says he does not
even know what the charge is. He
also states he has never been in Can
ada The police know very little al out
the case and have wired the authori-
ties at Quebec to see whether the count
is wanted here, and if so. on what
charge. but have not yet received an
answer.
The count made tine following state
ment-
II was born of French parents in
Poland. Ny people fled from France
during the revolution and acquired
large estates in Russia. was educat-
ed in the Universate Politechnique de
Vienna. where 1 received the degree Of
civil engineer. 1 have followed that
line of work ever since. both in Europe
and in America have been interest
ed in some of the most noted engineer
ing feats of Europe and have also been
employed in many of the large rail-
roads of this country. I served as cap
tain of the HouSeguardS in the Russian
army for three years. Coming TO the
United States some eight years ago
worked my way west as far as Chica-
go. When the war with Spain broke
out I wished to so TO Cuba with the
army.
Is An American.
az took out naturalization papers
and applied Tor a commission under
General Logan, who was d particular
friend Of mine. but I could not get an
appointment that I would accept I
got passport. however, and went to
Cuba, from there to France. Then I
took trips to all the countries of Eu-
rope. Returning to Paris from my ma
tive land / met and made suit to a
young countess, now my wife. We were
married and after an extended trim
through France, Germany and England
sailed for New York
From there we went to Philadelphia
where we stayed until we came 10 Chi
cagO two weeks ago. While in Paris
/ secured an appointment as American
representative of one of the largest
engineering firms in France. 1 am an
American citizen claiming residence in
Chicago and have never seen Canada.
According to International law they
cannot take re 10 Canada to answer
10 any charge, not even if l had killed
ten men,"
The count is but 49 years of age. He
is a handsome man and dresses well
His wife is only 20 years old and speaks
nothing but French.
He is Disgraced.
why should 1 obtain money by
forgery" said he. when my mother
in-law has twenty-five houses in Par.
and is worth five million francs? It il
preposterous and nonsansical. It is :
disgrace TO me and an outrage on my
wife and her family, I do not believe
that the police OF this city have an.
right to arrest me and incarcerate ms
in d police station just because. som,
man points me out and says that / an
wanted in Quebec. I VIII see that
have my rights as an Arnay-fcaD er:ti