The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-02
WORKED CLUB MEMBERS HERE
"CtPT. PIERSON or TIE ENGLISH
Army" UNDER ARREST.
Accused Of Getting $40 From the secretary
OF the Automobile club Oh False
Prctences Was Welcomed AZ the
Yacht cub as a Friend Of ~. &. Kelley.

man who has enjoyed the privileges
If he New York Yacht Club and has spent
some inc there in the last week was arrest d
Yesterday afternoon and locked up in the
last Titty-,lr-t street station charged
with obtaining money under false preteuces
His arrest brought to light the fact that
hr l. an iinpos'or who worked al least
two clubs and perhaps more. He was
locked up on the complaint of Secretary
Simual VI Butler of the Autunoble Club
If America who charged him with having
|, obtained $40 under false pretences,
About a week ago the man entered the
rooms II the Automobile Club at 1888 Fifth
avenue and asked for the secretary, He
told Mr. Butler that he was an English
army officer absent on furloush and that
he was q relative Of President johnson
Of the ROYAL Automobile Club Of England
llu- card bore the name, Capt. John Pier
sOh.
Mr. Bu-lcr said re was glad to sec him,
invited him to hay. some r-fr.shment and
gave him "a cigar. After little chat the
IMAM thanked him for his courtesy and
went away.
He came around the next day and wc't
through the same performance The next
time Piers, Il told Mr. Butle harCiluck-
story a q asked for a loan Of SO He got
II. Tut Mr.. Buticr grew "A little suspicious
and when be called again questioned him
further about his identity aud lis con
uoCtior with the Automobile club In Eng
land Pier>on stuck 20 the story and added
hat he was IA mempcr of the Royal Ulster
Yacht Club.
On Friday he tried 10 get more money
"Ive n draf coming tomorrow AID ms
money is all gone he said I'D con.
slider II q great favor If YOU would let me
have 60 more until CT my remittance.
NJ Butlcr 10y that time had made up his
mind that TIE man va. an inrustor, 80
he decided 80 make "ure and then have the
man arrested
Il haven't n b to spare to-day" he
answered, bat If Won will come around
tomorrow vel sac what can bn done "
Pierson -aid be would A. soon Gs h."
had gone Mr. Butler sent cabl" 10 Presi-
dent johnson Of the English Automobile
cub a-king II CAPT. Person was known.
Yesterday afternoon he received this
answer,
Unknown
Then Mr Rr'lor got a policeman. sta
u ned him in the building and wai'ed
in the afternoon and a signal called the
po,lcemau
Nhon lo vas told that he was undor ar
r.~t Pier-on fell on his knees and
legged Mr. Butler not to have him arrested,
nu' IL wasn't any u-n Policeman Sasscl-
h" CAV the name Of Capt. John Pi"rson
md lid he was an Fnglishman, but re-
fused 60 say vhor" he lived Ne said ne
had good many friends in the city, but
wouldn't bother them in the matter.
On the way to the station he kept one
hand H. his pocket, Crumpling and tryirg G
to tear a piece Of paper He didn't sue
coed IN destroying il, and when no was
searched The Crumped memorandum was
found. II read: Auto Club of Great
Britain, G.. johnson, 7i3 Fifth avenue.
The latter address /, thai Of the Automo-
bile Club here H. his pocket was found
also a card rendering th0 privileges of the
New York Yacht club 70 Capt. John PierSon.
Il was learned that Person had i'm
posed upon the New York Yacht Club
although, 50 far a. i known, he did not
rot any money here. He presented a
letter which purported to toe signed by
Hugh C. Kelly, honorary secretary Of the
Royal Ulster iarht Club, and though the
letter looked a little queer the club
people say. il was honored and Pierson
gained th' freedom of tho club II il
probable that som" on" from 'h' Yacht
ciub viii he IN court this morning 10 help
push Mr Builrr'- cas-" against him.
Tho police say that Picrson also worked
had not succeeded in locating any one will
ing TO admit that b. had been taken IN.
Mr. BItler said last might that he had
caused the mans arrest To prevent his i'm
posing on othnrs. He was fairly well
appearing man, he said "and for a time |
thought hc was all right. But | soon s,!s-
poctod that he was an inpostor and then
made up my mind 30 have him arrested in
spite # tho notoriety that II would cause.
be imposed upon, and I'm willing to have
Maid that much TO succeed In having him