The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-26
A SHOCK At MIAMI
"a Tourist" Masquerades as Gov.
Beckham Of Kentucky-His
Neat Turn.
Has kilograms From the President
and Drinks Freely Of the Usual
$; Kentucky Poison.
New York Sun Special Service.


Miami, Fla, Dec. GA great shock
was occasioned to society folks and tour
lists here to-day when 1t became known
that a man who has been maSquerading
here as Governor Beckham of Kentucky
had been arrested for getting money
under false pretenceS and 1mpersonat1ng
another at Peacock Inn, .Cocoanut Grove,
some miles south Of here, in the midst Of
q game of whist with wellknown tourists.
On Dec 20 rather distinguished gen.
tleman registered at the Palm hotel as
J. c. w. Beckham. Frankfort. Ky. Pro-
prietor Muller was delighted to have the
governor of Kentucky as his guest. Every
attention shown him. his orders for
bottles Of real old Kentucky liquors were
studiously attended to. 1t was soon
noised abroad that the governor of Ken
lucky was in the city. and all were anx'
tous to see and make his acquaintance.
He made many friends. spent money
freely, and was having a royal, good time.
The day after his arrival the following
telegram was received by him. and deilV-
cred by the messenger boy:
White House. Washington. D. c.. Dec. IL
To Hon. ]. {. Beckham Miami Fla Your
telegram received. The president will be pleased
to see you Saturday next at 10 an.
George B. Cortelyou'
Secretary.
The governor used this message to
considerable advantage and was more OF
! a.
the following message:
Miami Fla. Dec. 22.-To Peck Jackson,
Sheriff. Clinton. KY: l commute the SEN
tence of James Kelly to life Imprisonment.
j. C: W. Beckham.
Governor.
Soon the news spread that the gov
ernor' had sent the message committing
the life sentence Of this man Kelly. How
ever, there was feeling in many quar-
ters that there was something wrong, yet
no one could tell why except that he was
here alone, having no attendant, and was
indulging rather too freely in entangle-
ment water. After sending the message
committing the death sentence, he secured
a carriage and invited some of his new
made friends to drive with him to Cocoa
nut Grove, which they did Arriving there
they put up at the Peacock Inn. After
; the party left the following was received
by Manager Mcdonald: IS
Yours date Peck Jackson undelivered. Party
unknown here. Clinton, ky.
When the governor" left the hotel he
i instructed MIR. 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.. Mullers sus-
! picions. and he Immediately swore out a
warrant or the mans arrest, charging
him with obtaining money under false
pretences and personating another.
The sheriff drove to Cocoanut Grove
and found his man in the parlor Of the
Peacock Inn playing a friendly game Of
whist. OF course he was greatly sur
prised that the governor Of Kentucky
should meet with such treatment in
Florida However, he cheerfully sub
mitted to the demands of the law, and
was placed in Jail.
He is apparently about 80 to IS years
of age. is fairly well dressed. and those
who have talked with him say he is we'll
educated and thoroughly posted on the
current topics Of the day He Is about
six feet tall dark complexion, black hair
ard smooth face. s - r