Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1907-07-11
BADLY FOOLED.
A Clever Negro Posing as an In
dian Lionized
BY THE RICH PEOPLE

vi NeN 1tTh anu Otnef Northern
Cities and Summer Resorts.-Hc
Was Once the Guest of President
Roosevelt at the Union Lenpuc
/: Club.-Exposcd by Two Artists
Who Knew Him Well.
York society will no doubt be inter
ested to learn that one of the lions
or the Smart Set, who has been eX-
tensively entertained by Mrs. John
Jacob Astor, Mrs. John r. Drexel
and others, and whom President
Roosevelt has consulted frequently in
regard to Indian affairs. is no other
than the son of Mrs. Russell Sage's
negro cook says the New York
American
Though known in the circles of the
elite as Antonio Apache, grandson of
the famous chief Cochise, this dusky
Beau Brummel began life as a Louis
lana pickaninny under the obscure
name of Tony Simpson"
That such is the true identity of a
man whom they denounce as the
most fantastic fakir that ever fooled
New York" was declared by William
Nj. Cary and Edwin w. Deming, both
of whom are well-known New York
painters of Indian life.
1t is about time the true charac-
ter OF this imposter is made publicly
Known said Mr.. Cary. He is not
only fakir, but scamp. He is the
same negro who stole a painting
from me about nineteen years ago,
and in consequence served two years
in Sing Sing prison"
The alleged grandson of Chief
Cochise is fraud" said Mr.. Deming
II am glad the American is going to
expose him for he has been trading
on the sympathies of Il lot of good
people who believed he was an In
dian"
Antonio Apache. according to the
testimony of Mr.. Cary and Mr. Dem
ing, has been able to exploit the
credulity of the Smart Set for the
last ten years because he made de-
ception an art. Not only did he ape
the Indian in physical appearance
but he also studied the habits and
language of the Redskin
On top of his African curls he has
been accustomed to wear wig of
coarse black Indian hair. which he
brushed almost as smooth as patent
leather. Those who have won his
confidence say that he possesses an
elaborate assortment of scalps, with
hair of various lengths, and that he
shifts from one wig to another, as
his hair is supposed to grow Finally
comes the hair cut" when suddenly
he jumps back into wig No. |
Lest the natural ebon of his fea-
lures should dispute his claim of In
dian ancestry he is said to tint his
skin with a sort of bronze paint, do
ing it so skillfully, that he has fren-
quently posed TO artists for color"
AS the lion of Fifth avenue draw
ing rooms Antonio Apache has been
wont to tell of his early life with a
great amount of detail which seemed
corroborative. It was a far differ
ent story than that revealed by the
two artists who say he is a humhug
He made no mention to Mrs. DreXel
or Mrs. Astor of the fact that about
twenty years ago he used to help his
negro mother peel potatoes and drain
spinach in the Sage household.
Instead he boasted that his grand
father was the fearless chief Cochise,
and that his ancestral realm down In
Arizona embraced a territory larger
than Connecticut. That country even
And when he was asked about the
habits and customs of the Apaches.
he was always ready to describe
them minutely. as if to evidence the
most intimate knowledge of his peo-
pie.
Society first began ID entertain the
alleged grandson of Cochise about
two years ago, when Mrs. John X
Drexel invited n select number o
guests to meet him. He was callet
Prince Anthony by the most charme'
of his admirers, and at once invita-
tions from the most exclusive home:
of New York and Philadelphia began
to be showered upon him.
For time he dropped out of the
social horizon only to appear stu
greater favorite last Winter at bali
at the home of Mrs. John Jacob AS
tor. His dancing attracted specia
notice, and he was pronounced one
of the most graceful figures on the
floor.
A certain New York society editor
wrote the following in his praise:
"Socity loves a novelty, and OF late
il has been delighting itself with en-
tanning that splendid specimen of q
lost race, Mr.. Antonio Apache, a full
blooded Indian, who has the manners
of a Chesterfield. the education of a
Gladstone and the beauty of craven
image. He is a most distinguished
and interesting man and his society
has been sought for by the leaders OF
the Four Hundred. Mrs. john X.
DreXel entertained him in her box at
the Horse Show, and he has been din
ed and feted by the highest. Mr..
Apache dresses in the latest fashion
and carries himself with impressive
dignity"
.1t,NEnt-G CRIME