The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-23
FRENCH COUNT ARRESTED.
CHARGED WITH FORGERY OF PA.
PIERS ON LARGE SCALE.
Taken In Custody I'm Chicago, ON
Complaint From Quebec, but De-
niles Guilt, and Says They Have
Wrong Man--His wife with HIN.

CHICAGO, April Pm. 4. l.. Comte de
Coulcuse Lautrec was arrested today at
the Auditorium hotel on a charge of for
gerry IT is charged that the count visit
ed Quebec, Canada. two months ago and
forged papers to secure money.
The amount of the alleged forgery is
not given, but IL Is said 10 be large. To-
day a detective who has been tracing
Lautrec saw him enter the hotel and ask
for his mall. At the detectives request
the police arrested the count and took
him to the Harrison police station, where
he was locked up.
The Countess Lautrec Is said to be the
daughter OF the Countess d'IntrevilIe.
one of the wealthiest women in Paris.
She was with her husband when he was
arrested and broke down when she real
lied what was taking place. She return
ed to the house of friends in this city.
Lautrec Is a Frenchman. His marriage
occurred In Paris eight months ago.
Denies Any Guilt.
The prisoner denies that he is guilty of
any charge, and says he does not even
know what the charge Is. He also states
that he has never been In Canada. The
police know very little about the case,
and have wired the authorities at Quebec
to see whether the count Is wanted there,
yet received an answer.
The count made the following state
ment:
II was born OF French parents in Po-
land. My parents fed from France dur
Ing the revolution, and acquired large es-
tates In Russia. l was educated at the
universite Politechnique de Vienna,
where / received the degree of civil en-
gineer. | have followed that line of
work ever since. both in Europe and in
America. l have been interested In some
of tho most noted engineering feats of
Europe. and have also been employed on
mainy OF the large railroads of this coun-
try. l served as captain of the Horse
guards In the Russian army for three
years Coming to the United States some
eight years ago, l worked my way
west as far as Chicago. When the war
with Spain broke out / wished to go to
Cuba with the army
Claims American Citinenahip.
II took out naturalization papers and
applied for commission under Gen. Lo-
gan. who was particular friend OF
mine. but / could not get an appoint
ment that would accept. l got pass
port, however, and went to Cuba. and
from there to France. Then took trips
to all the countries of Europe. Returning
=
married the young countess We sailed
for New York. From there we went TO
Philadelphia. where we stayed until we
came to Chicago. two weeks ago. Whine
In Paris | secured an appointment as
American representative for one of the
largest engineering Arms IN France. [
am an American citizen. and have never
seen Canada. According to International
law they cannot take me TO Canada to
answer 10 any charge
The count is about % years OF age.
wifc's Mother Rich.
why should I obtain money by for.
gerry" said he. when my mother-in law
has twenty-five houses in Paris and IS
worth s.eoeo0 francse IL is a disgrace 10
me and an outrage to my wife and her
family. l do not believe that the police
OF this city have any right TO arrest me
and incarcerate me in a police station
Just because some man points me out
and says that am wanted In Quebec. I
will see that I have my rights as an
American citizen and a resident OF Chi
cage"
The information upon which Count I.au-
tree was arrested was telegFaphed TO the
Chicago police Saturday. u is alleged
that the count under the name OF v. Cas-
tand, disposed OF worthless checks and
bonds receiving several hundred dollars
In payment from persons In Montreal. The
Canadian authorities claim that Count
Lautrec and CaStend are the same per.
son.
When taken into custody he denied that
his name was Castand. The mail he re-
eelvcd at the hotel was addressed to
Count de l.autrec" rn1 exhibiting the
letters, he asserted that they proved his
identity.
Among the matter which the Auditorium
clerk handed the count iust before his
arrest was an express package from the
slrohridEe iithographinK Company. Of
Cincinnati This package was opened by
the p0lice. and found TO contain a dozen
&c - blank bonds which varied in amount
from 80 to 81 1oa
When asked for m explanation a. 10
the bonds the prisoner said he knew
nothing abou, them. ana again suggest
ed shai Castand may have been the per
SON Tor whom the express package vas
intended
CAR ISSUES HESCRIPr.