The Washington times., 1907-08-11
Long List of Matrimonial
Ventures and Broken
Hearts.
Arrested and Convicted
for Murder of His
BenefaCtOr.


Seymour harrington has come what
Will probably be the finale OF one Of
the most remarkable fights for life ever
made by a convicted criminal.
Darlington was 70 have been hanged
on July 25- On the preceding Tuesday.
before concluding the work of the day,
Governor Folk yielded 20 the importuni-
ties OF many prominent people and
granted respite of thirty days. Then
finding that this would bring the day Of
execution on Sunday. ne added another
day to the period in which he will care
fully investigate a petition presented by
State Supreme Judges Graves and Val
liant praying that Barrington's sen
fence be commuted TO life Imprisonment.
Upon the governors decision hinges
Barrington's last hope
This is the second respite that Bar
TingtOn has been given by Governor
Felix. He was convicted on March 8,
1904, after 4 long trial. Of the murder
of his friend and bencfactor, James z.
Mccain The murder was committed
the night of June l. 1903. Darlington
was arrested for the crime June Z3
but he told 50 plausible a story that he
was released, but kept under police sur
veillance. Discovery of new evidence
led 10 his being rea-rested two days
later, and confined in Jail until his
trial and conviction.
Entered Crime as a Boy.
From Tunbridge Wells assizes in Eng
land in 1870. when he was ten years old,
10 the Clayton circuit court. in Missouri
in 1903. In the prime OF his life, Barring
tons history has been a succession. Of
persistent and prohtless crime.
Within three years of four decades,
the incomplete records Of his crime-for
there is hiatus during the time he is
supposed to have been in India and Al
rica-shuN that for thirty-seven years
he has persevered in his Iawlessness
with a fatuOusness that would almost
seem to argue some neurOuc quality in
him.
But BarringtOns career has been that
OF an arch bungler in crime. His life
has been a progression Of Jail and peni-
Tertiary sentences for infractions of the
law, ranging from embezzlement and
burglary to the meaner crimes Of de-
certions practiced on foolish women and
the cowardly murder OF his benefactor.
Barrington's advent into ST. Louis was
In January, 1903. He came unheralded,
but let il be known in modest way at
the hotel that he was an English gentle
man here in a semi-Ofacial capacity. in
connection with the participation OF
Great Britain in the worlds fair.
This made no great impression on any
body at the hotel. as foreign dignitaries
at that time were not uncommon in St.
Louis. harrington made a great stir,
however. when he sauntered out Of the
Administration building on the world s
fair grounds. dressed in the most correct
afternoon attire and presented his card
to the secretary Of the foreign relations
committee.
Kicked Out of Hotel.
He was received with all Difference and
piloted over the grounds. one week
later the distinguished English gentle
nan" was unceremoniousIy hidden to
depart from, the hotel because Of an un-
paid board bill He sought shelter in a
fashionable boarding house in West
Belle place and there his vauntings OF
a proud pedigree, ar exalted station in
the British army and IT. society, and his
fanciful yarns OF his ancestral seat of
Melrose Castle, gained the wondering
admiration OF his landlady.
Forthwith she telegraphed her sister.
Miss Wilhelmina Cochrane, of Kansas
City TO make haste and visit her. Rar-
rington. for his part, was agog with an
ticipation OF the coming visit OF his
hostess sister, the only unmarried
daughter of an alleged wealthy Kansas
City pork packer. He began 10 Law his
plans, which were those that had
brought to grief more than one deceived
woman, whose credulity had been her
undoing.
WilhelmiDa arrived, a young and
pretty girl, full of girlish interest In this
distinguished scion cf English nobility.
whom fate had thrown in her path.
There were not lacking many oppor-
tuniues for the two to be together. an1
the girl was speedily won by tales of
beautiful Melrcse Castle life among the
gentry of London and the allurements
Of her prospective station as the wife of
the lieutenant colonel Of the Horse
Guards.
And so they were married, each hav-
ing handed to the other a gold brick.
which was avidly accepted as the real
thing They spent their honeymoon IT
the sisters house, and all went happily
until an inquiring brc.ner Of the bride.
Louis one Sunday morning to look over
his new brother-in-law OF the British
landed gentry and peerage.
A short interview with harrington suf-
feed for him, and in trice the husky
American brother-in-law of Darlington
had kicked him into the street.
Sent to the Workhouse.
This was on February l. 1908. Bar
rtngton and COchrane were arrested on
cross charges of disturbing the peace.
The trial was in Judge Tracys court
Although the evidence showed that Bar
rtngton had offered no more resistance
10 his brother-in-law's attack than
wordy protest. the charges against
Cochrane were dismissed and Barring
ton was given a long lecture from Judge
Tracy and fine Of $500
He could not pay the fine, and was
Bent to the rock pile at the workhouse
In the meantime his past had been in
quired into, and from Scotland Yard,
New York, Brooklyn. and Cincinnati
came word of his career in those parts
nd n-1 -.