The Washington herald., 1907-08-09
PITIES HER VICTIMS
Bogus Countess Says So
ciety Is Easy to Swindle.
MUST FACE MANY CHARGES
ErstwhiIe "Niece" of British Noble
man Arraigned in Tombs-POIice
Identify EvH FOx-Strangways as
Louise st. Clnir-Said to Have
Operated in Africa and Canada.

New York, Aug S.-The Countess Of
Leicester" who a few months ago walked
right into the arms Of social New York
and charmed the folk of the social regis
ter and Blue Book by her grand manner
and exquisite accent, suffered overwhelm-
ing humiliation at police headquarters to-
day. She wept bitter tears when led 10
the Photographic studio and wrung her
hands In anguish when compelled to pose
for THE gallery"
The Countess is not a countess and
daughter of an earl. as the socially reg
istered thought Nor is she Eva Fox
Strangeways. duly recorded in the birth
books of His Ludship'' Of leicester. She
was far better known In worldwide police
circles than in British society under the
humble title of Louise St Clair.
She was brought 20 No. 800 Mulberry
street to-day. charged with an amazing
record Of swindles. Il is said that she
has swindled hotels and tradespeople
from johannesburg. South Africa. to To-
ronto. Canada, where she was arrested a
few days ago by Superintendent Of Police
Grasset upon advices from Inspector Nc
Canerty.
The fair Louise had only been In To-
rOnto few weeks, having vanished from
New York and the exclusive circles she
delighted after various hotel managers
had notified headquarters that they had
been stung for hundreds OF dollars. That
there was no piking in her methods, the
Park Avenue Hotel has proof Of TO the
extent of an $500 deficit.
Dressmaker Lays Charge.
The specific charge upon which she
was arraigned in the Jefferson Market
Police Court to-day was laid by Susan
B. Clarke, a fashionable dressmaker. OF
No. 20 East Thirty-third street. To Mrs.
Clarke the Countess gave a check for
s299. drawn on the Van Norden Trust
Company, where she didn't have a sou on
deposit This check was offered in pay
ment for two gowns and a hat. The bill
was 500. and the "Earrs daughter" grace
fully accepted the S99 in change and then
disappeared.
There were plenty OF social leaders 10
vouch for Mrs. Eva Fox-Strangways.
Good? Why, she had a pedigree that
reached back into the days Of Harold
the Bold. OF some such early monarch.
The roots OF her family tree were inter
twined with royal tendrils. and Il was
a ravishing honor 10 be allowed 70 dine
and wine Eva. the scioness Of leicester
II was also a pleasure 10 lose money az
/ bridge 10 so classy a person SIS Louise
ST Clair. all OF which made 1t very sim
pie for her to roll high, wear dazzling
diamonds. and occupy the choice suite n
the very best hotels.
Not Beautiful of Features.
This remarkable woman is not beauti-
ful OF feature. though her figure is pro-
nounced perfect and her manner ex-
quiste She speaks half a dozen Ian
guages. and has travelled the world over.
as bonifaces OF all the nations represented
at The Hague Peace Conference can
testify 20.
The Hotel Mems Association Of To-
ronto was organizing a crusade against
the countess" when Lieut. Detective
Deitsch arrived there from Mulberry
street with a warrant and a tale OF the
woes Of her many victims.
He brought her down TO this city last
night, and made It as comfortable as pos
sible for her in a Mercer street station
cell. She was bewailing her lot in
French, German, Spanish. and italian.
when Deitsch drove her TO police head
quarters. and took her before the dap
per Fourth Deputy Commissioner Artaur
/ Woods
/ Mr.. Woods said afterward that he was
| deeply impressed by her grief and con-
! triton She admitted TO him that swim
! ding came so easy and her victims were
so easy 10 do. that she had really hated
to take the money,