The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-26
IMPERSONATED COY. BECKHAM
SWINDLER CUTS A WIDE SWATH
~ LOVER FLORIDA.
Accepts Fsvors as Governor Of Kentucky.
COmmutes . Death Sentence BY Teie-
graph aud Gets q Teiegraphic APP
pointment With President Roosevelt.


MIAMI, Fla, Dec. ?5.-A man who has
been Incorporating here as Gov. Beckham
OF Kentucky was arrested yesterday for
getting money under false preterc,s and
impersonating another at Peacock Inn,
Cocoanut Grove. several miles south OF
here. The arrest was made while he was
in game OF whist with tourists He was
taken to jail.
On Dec. 20 a good-lookng man regis
tered at the Palm Hotel as j. c. W. Beck
ham. Frankfort. Ky. Proprietor Muller
was delighted TO have the Governor Of Ken
lucky as his guest. Every attention was
shown him, and his orders for bottles OF
| old Kentucky liquors were attended to
vigorously II was soon noised abroad
that the Governor Of Kentucky was in the
city. and scores were anxious to make his
acquaintance. He made many friends.
spent money and was having good time
The day after his arrival the following
telegram was received by him and deliv-
cred by the messenger boy:
WHITE HOUSE,
WASHINGTON. ID. C., Dec. %. I
Hon. j. e. Bcckhan' Miami. Fla:
Your telegram received. The President
will be pleased to see YOU saturday next at
10 A. N, GEORGE b. ConrELYor.
Secretary
This the man used to good advantage.
After this he was more of lion than ever,
and seemed greatly pleased at the attention
that was shown him. Two days ago he
sent the following message:
PEEK Jackson. sheriff. Clinton, Rl.:
81 commute the sentcnce Of james Kelly to
life Imprisonment Official papers in the
mail. j. c. ". BECRHAM. Governor.
Soon the news spread that the Governor
had sent the message committing the life
sentence Of Kelly. However there was a
feeling in many quarters that there was
something wrong, yet no one could tell
why except that the Governor was here
alone, having no attendant and was in
dulging rather too freely In the flowing
bowl
After sending the messag &c committing
the death sentence. he secured q carria &c
and invited some Of his new made friends
to drive with him to Cocoanut Grove, which
they did. Arriving there they put up at
the Peacock Inn. After the party left the
following message from Clinton, KY, was
received by Manage McDonald:
Yours to Peck jackson undelivered.
Party unknown here"
When the Governor left the hotel he
instructed Mr.. Muller to open any tele-
grams that might come for him. On the
arrival Of the reply Mr.. Muller opened It
The contents confirmed Mr.. Muller's sus-
picions. and he Immediately went and
swore out a warrant for his arrest, charging
him with obtaining money under false pre-
fences.
This was placed in the hands OF the
| Sheriff, who drove to Cocoanut Grove to
| find his man. He found him in the parlor
Of the inn, engaged in playing whist. He
was greatly surprised that the Governor
of Kentucky should meet with such treat
ment in Florida. He submitted to the
demands Of the law and WAS placed in jail.
Yesterday morning he waived a prelimi-
| nary hearing.
The SUN correspondent visited the Jail
| but the Governor was not in a talking
| mood Deputy Sheriff Moran has made
| several efforts to get him to talk. but he
refuses to he interviewed
Among those with whom he was ac-
| quainted he said that his wife died about
six months ago. He is young man. APP
parently about 80 to IS years of age, is fairly
well dressed and those who have talked
with him say he is we'll informed on the
current topics Of the day. He is about
feet tall, has a dark complexion, black
| hair and smooth face.