Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-04
POSED As A RICH MANS SON
FLEW A HIGH KITE AND FOOLED
THE FOOLISH FOUR HUNDRED
Of DENVER.
He Was Wined and Dined, Likewise
COurted by Pretty Girls and Their
Mammals, But He Was Only n
Youthful Ascending Bank Clerk
From Pennsylvania.

IIlILADELTi TIA, L d., h1dy o.-4NiliO-
teen-year-old Thomas ]. Stewards head
reels as he sits in grim Moyamensing
prison to-day. From the acme of pop
ularity as the supposed son of the
Philadelphia millionaire Ito the soli-
tude of cell is transition enough to
cause anyone to be stricken with a tit
of vertigo. Stewart, who, by mere
chance, adopted the name of Harrison,
of Philadelphia, and was mistaken for
the son of John Harrison, the local
millionaire of that name, set Denver 5
society in a whirl for nine days. He
was wined, dined and feued He was
the guest of man who can count mill
lions on his fingers, and lit cigarettes
with S. bills. Mamas with marriage
able daughters became victims of in
somnia, planning the capture of the
desirable young man. /,
But now that is all changed. From
the pinnacle of social favoritism Stew
art has fallen into the gutter of social
ostracism. 1t will be many days before
the 400 of DenverNrecover from their
chagrin.
Up to March II last Stewart was
only prosaic messenger in an eastern
bank. On that date he is alleged to
have collected over $1,700 by fraud and
decamped About three weeks ago two
dapper youths entered the American
House in Denver and asked for rooms.
wv, and H. Harrison, of Philadelphia,
they inscribed on the book. 1t was not
long before their extravagant tastes
and habits attracted the attention OF
the hotel people and guests.
Lets see," said the clerk to Stewart,
"are you the son of Harrison, the paint
manufacturer. of Philadelphia"
Yes was the reply. Harold ana
1 are touring out west together and
are soon to meet our parents in Paris
at the fair
Your father is rated a millionaire,
is he not?" queried the clerk.
oh" said Stewart with Indifference,
several times"
"W. Harrison" became the social
lion of the town at once. His visit to
the handsome mansion of William
Bethel, a multi-millionaire. for two
days put the approving stamp upon
his social standing, and Denver society
opened its arms and beckoned him in
to it's charmed circle.
"W. Harrison" did not lose his
head. On the contrary he played his
part with finesse and sangfroid. His
presence in the city caused a sensation
in the ranks of the mammals with
daughters of manageable age.
Had an interruption not come wv
Harrison" might have become engaged
to marry wealthy girl.
"W. and H. Harrison" were not con-
tent to ride together in a cab. They
hired a cab apiece when going to the
theatre. Several times they called on
their newly-formed acquaintance in a
carriage drawn by four white horses
and attracted attention along the
route. Money they spent at rapid
rate. They were invited to theatre
parties and social functions and were
treated like kings.
The browning triumph of their short
stay in Denver did not come off, how
ever. This was to be a reception to
the Young hen in the High School
building az mark of esteem from
their MANY Friends Unfortunately for
the twainHa mistake by III. Harrison"
tumbled the beautiful dream of nine
days into tragic ending.
II. Harrison" who happened to be
an innocent runaway, with "W Har-
rison," named Clemmans, had a sweet
heart in Easton. He wrote to her tell
ing her what a fine time he and Stew
art were having in Denver. He said
Stewart told him he earned the money
by writing for magazine. The sweet
heart noised the fact about town, ami
this, coming to the ears of the bank
people, Stewards arrest followed.
Denver's society awoke with a start
one day. What? The Harrison boys
arrested?" Yes, W. and H. Harrison
were arrested. III" was released, as
he proved his innocence, but W. or
Thomas ]. Stewart, had s1.100 yet OF
the money alleged to have been stolen.
Thus did the lionizing suddenly end.
and ''W Harrison" began trip on a
fast east-bound express, accompanied
by Deputy Marshals Arnett and Davis.
OF Denver. Stewart heard the clank of
''Moya's" iron doors last night.
Stewart says he did not intentionally
use the alias Harrison for the purpose
of assuming the role Of a millionaire
son. He simply took the name by
blind chance. When asked if he was
Harrison's son, he said yes, merely TO
avert suspicion arising due to his Law
ish expenditures.
John Harrison is connected with
Harrison Bros Co., the paint manu-
facturers, with large plant at Thir-
ty-fifth street and Gray's Ferry Road.