Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-06-05
FOL 80 - 1850 - - 90 --.---
RECORD HOAxES.
Remarkable swiadIes aud ~selIsv
That AstoniShed the World.

That Astonished the World.
Less than twenty years ago a report
got into circulation among the peas
ants Of Bosnia that the great viennese
banker. Baron Rothschild, had been
sentenced to death for treason and
was trying TO secure a substitute will
Ing for handsome consideration to
undergo the extreme penalty in his
stead. a large number OF peasants
banded together TO furnish ibis substi-
tute by casting lots.
IL was not until the authorities had
posted in every village throughout the
affected districts strong denial OF the
canard that the rioting aud ferment
caused 10y the bankers, apparent reluc-
lance to part with the blood money
was allayed.
On one occasion the Times itself fell
victim 10 an extraordinary piece Of
journalistic humor A correspondent
sent a letter 10 the Thunderer'' de-
ploring the restitution prevalent In GER
tain parts OF Italy consequent upon the
absolute failure of the macaroni crop.
ignorant of the fact that this popular
article of Italian diet is not plant at
all, but manufactured from -four, the
Times published leader on the sub
5ect. suggesting the establishment OF q
fund to assist the sufferers.
A hoax which nearly caused war be-
tween Austria and Roumania con-
vulsed eastern Europe less than dec
ade ago. The Inhabitants OF Restchuk,
IN the latter country, were convinced
M fhe xfS.fn In, N1..s..
werewolf-a man who is able at viii
TO change himself into a huge, Zero
clous wolf
Men of science doubted the story,
and i'm wordy argument with q local
resident the famous Austrian profess
or, Taublich, was killed for laughing
at what he had termed tissue of
nonsense" Complications Immediately
arose between Austria and Roumania,
the former country demanding the In
slant execution of the murderer.
Just as Austria was about to present
an ultimatum the werewolf" was shot
Ing more than stupid practical joker,
whose folly not only cost valuable
life, but had almost plunged Europe
INTO the horrors OF war.
Danger. the well known American
actor of the early sixties, had a weak
ness for hoaxing his fellows. On one
occasion while resting i'm Minnesota
he was seized with n bright idea. He
secured dummy. dressed il in a suit
or old clothes and hid il Mt night in the
woods near the adjacent lake. Next
morning he hired a boat, got the dunn
nay aboard unseen and rowed away
about half Il mile from the shore When
the beach was fairly crowded with peo-
pie he began gesticulating wildly at his
supposed companion. Next he pounced
upon the dummy like mailman. and
fierce struggle which ensued threat
ened, to the excited watchers on land.
to capsize the frail craft Next they
saw Danger fight his companion down,
hurl him into the water aud with re-
peatcd blows OF an oar sink the body
in the lake
Then tue actor, chuckling at the ex-
element he had aroused, pulled for the
opposite heavily timbered beach. A
minute later several boats filled with
armed men were in hot pursuit. The
c"pl'VSipNtouS tiiiiiildi TcuCneO the
woods we'll i'm advance OF his pursuers
and got clear away while the whole
countryside was searching for him.
Eventually. however the fraud was
revealed.
"A journalist once succeeded In hoax
Ing many OF the leading London news.
papers, and through them the proyin-
eial press, at the expense OF the great
abolitionist, Wilberforce. He was q
reporter in the press gallery in the
house OF commons. and lie pretended.to
read TO his colleagues from his notes
the following passage from n speech
with which he credited the famous par.
Humanitarian:
HAD IL been my lot TO be born in
Ireland, where my food would have
consisted principally OF the potato. that
most nutritious aud salubrious root, in.
stead OF being the poor. infirm, stunted
creature you. sir, and honorable gen.
tlemen, behold In me, would have
been tall, stout, athletic man, able ia
bear an enormous weight"
No wonder Mr.. Wnberforce read the
passage with establishment I'm the next
mornings press, for lie had NOT nd.
dressed the house at all for some
weeks London Answers.