Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-12
HEANEY ADMITS
lMPERSONATION
BOGUS ARMY OFFICER DENIES
FELONY CHARGE
SAYS HE POSED AS LIEUTENANT
KING FOR FIVE YEARS
Declares He Was Arrested in San
Francisco While Trying to
Live Down His Past
Life

Admitting that for five years he had
obtained a good livelihood by imperson-
ating Lieut.. Harry King, but strongly
asserting his innocence of felony
charge which, he claims, was brought
against him while trying to live down
his past record, Thomas Edward Hea-
nev who was arrested in San Fran
cisco Thursday night, was brought 10
Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. Art
er a session in the Office of City Mar
shal Leo V. Youngworth, Heaney was
remanded to the county Jail, and TINS
morning will be arraigned before Unit
ed States Commissioner van Dyke.
The specific charge against Heaney
is the passing of forged check for $50
in Los Angeles June !, and the COM
nIainant in the case is Luke Iederman,
a representative of the mercantile lrm
of A. Hamburger & Sons. The COM
paint alleges that person uhder
guise of United States military oftl-
Ger obtained the money from Lederrnan
and also gives the name of the ofend-
er as Lieut. Elmer Mcfarland, alias
D. c. Hoffman.
Heaney strongly denies the guilt and
claims that when brought face to face
with Lederman he can easily proive his
innocence, and all that is worrying the
prisoner is fear that the old charge of
impersonating may be brought against
him.
Admitted to Exclusive Circles
In connection with the arrest of
Heaney is unfolded a tale that smacks
of fiction, but is in reality the story OF
q dashing young man who for f1Ve
years impersonated an army officer.
and on the strength of strong facial
resemblance was banqueted, feted and
admitted to the most exclusive social
circles in all parts of the United States.
More than a year ago Heaney was
arrested in San Francisco for imper-
sonating Lieut.. Harry King, a PROM
inent United States army officer who is
at present in the Philippines. Heaney
claims he has been leading a straight
life and was forced to assume a hcti-
tious name to down the stigma cast on
his own name at the time of his arrest.
OF fine appearance neat and tidy in
dress, with true military bearing, Hea-
ney or Major George S. Anderson, as
he was known in Los Angeles, for
years had but little difficulty in enter
ing the most select military circles, and
at the time of his arrest had on his
person cards bearing the name Lieut..
Harry King. Son of Gen. Horatio
King"
Tells Story of Life
Yesterday afternoon Heaney told the
story of his life, how he became pos
sessed of the idea of impersonating the
prominent military officer, the plans
he made before starting on his venture
and the success he attained for several
years until finally arrested.
II was born in England, but in early
life my parents moved to America and
settled in the little country town of
Brookfield, Mass" he said. Il went to
school there, and after graduating from
the high school started to work in a
store in my home town, but difficulty
with my father caused me to start out
in life away from the scenes of my
boyhood days.
81 decided that the west afforded the
best opportunity for an ambitious per-
son. and it was while on the train GO
ing to California that met Lieut.. Har-
ry King. He appeared popular with all
who met him, and many remarked as
we sat together of our facial resem-
blance. Harry was a few inches taller
than l, but otherwise to the most keen
observer 1t would have been difficult to
distinguish us.
at was then that the idea came to
me of what a chance it would be to
gain an easy living. Lieutenant King
had told me he was stationed at Fort
Bliss, Texas but in short time would
Studies Military Tactics
Accordingly, laid my plans and at
once began the study of military tao
tics and became proficient and today
do not believe there is an army officer
in the United States that can tell me
anything about military tactics.
Il then waited until l knew that
Lieut.. King had left for the islands
and procured a resplendent army uni
form. 1 also had my suit cases
stamped with the name of King, also
my cards and card case.
1.-The success of the move began from
the very first start. Everywhere 1 was
welcome. In nearly every state in the
Union / passed as Lieut.. King and had
no difficulty in passing fast and easy
life.
MY field of operations was mostly
in the west. as + feared that in the
east / might meet a chance acquaint-
ance and the game would end.
'I cannot recount all the favors that
were showered on me, and for time
I really believed that l was Lieut..
King.
"Then came leak and reports grad
ually were sent to army headquarters
that Lieut. King was back i'm the
United States. That was my undoing,
and nearly two years ago l was ar
rested in San Francisco and served six
months in a reform school.
Determined TO live down the past
and lead a straight life l came to
Southern California last January and
went under the name of Maj George
S. Anderson, as 7 realized it would be
fatal to my hopes to assume my real
name.
Becomes instructor
81 obtained the position of COM
mandant of the California State Mill
tary school at Coronado and easily
made a success of my work. being
noted for the strict discipline main
tanned at the school.
Later I came to Los Angeles and
for several months have been living AT
Long Beach, doing military tutoring.
The return from this work was not
sufficient to meet the demands of the
life to which l had been accustomed
and | began to form a military school.
! needed some financial backing, ana
two weeks ago Yesterday went to san
r III 4 H.