The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-12-11
A SOUTH CAROLINA FRAUD.
Married a Young GirI Under an Assumed
Name.

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SUMTER, s. c., Dec. 3.-Out on the
wide Atlantic, several months ago, a
man and a woman met. The woman
was young, pretty and attractive, the
idol Of her millionaire fathers heart.
The man was dashing, captivating
fellow with the manners Of q cavalier.
The sequel Of tho meeting is broken
hearted father, young woman's
hlighted life, aud wreoked home.
Tho villain ia the ntory was once
time resident Of this city and tho peo-
pie Of Sumter have an interest in the
story because OF this fact.
he is Capt. A. N. Freeland, who
for many years was trusted and re-
.speoted employe Of the Atlantic Coast
Line, with which corporation he held
q position FOR 20 or more years. Dur
ing the last eight OF ten years of his
railroad life he filled the position Of
road master and had charge .of the
Florence Golumbia division, one of
the most important on the syatem.
He was summarily dismissed from
this position and explanation was
never made as to the cause for his re-
n,oval, but at the time rumors were
current that he was downed because
ofimmoral conduct.
Capt. Freeland remained in this
city which he had made his home for
SO many years and with which he had
become identified by business and
social ties, he having married here aud
acquired considerable property. At
this time he was looked upon as fair.
honest man and was respected in the
business world. BE held q prominent
place in the Masonic lodge. aud other
fraternal societies.
Shortly after this discharge by the
railroad company he engaged in busi-
ness, frst as member Of the firm Of
Freeland & Rogan, dealers in china
and glassware, and subsequently be-
came member Of the firm Of the
Duoker and Bultman company, CT
which he WAS for a tins the president.
It was at this time that the eyes Of
the community were first opened to
the real character of the man, although
for several years there were rumors
afoat that he was not straight in his
business dealings. It was while presi-
dent Of the Duoker & Bultman COM
pany that he borrowed all the .aonsy
that he could induce the banks to ad-
vance onRsuch collateral as he could
offer and the endorsements Of friends,
and left the city, descrting his wife
and family, leaving them. it was re-
ported at the time ill-provided for.
& For year OF more after this no one
in Sumter knew anything about his
movements, although diligent efforts
were made by those who had suffered
financial loss through him, TO locate
him. He was reported TO have been
seen in neighboring States on several
occasions. but all efforts to find him
were futile. He voluntarily opened
Communication with those who had
had to pay his dishonored notes, and
in short time returned to the city
and made settlements Of such claims
as could have been collected byslegal
process---the others went unpaid. He
was arrested at the instance Of one
party with whom he refused 20 settle,
but the evidence was not stroug enough
to convict and ths.case was dropped.
Again be left Sumter and was gons
for some months, returning only to at
tend the funeral Of his wife, who died
suddenly. He spent few weeks
here, and when he left took ell the
money he could obtain by any means
from his ohildren-money in come in.
stances that had been earned by hard
work. From that time until the ar.
rival Of the New York detective moth
ing was known Of his whereabouts and
no one cared.
The detective visited this city to in-
vestigate the past life Of A. N. Free
land, and it from him that is learn
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