Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-02-25
THE CASE OF eUERARD.

Alexander Martin Guerard appeared
before Magistrate de Loach last Tues
day, and plead guilty to uttering frau
dulent checks in two cases and obtain
ing money under false pretenses In an
other case, and was sentenced to pay
a fine Of $4020, or go to Jail for thirty
days.
Guerard is the blind man, who came
to Yorkville last fall, represented him
self as a promoter with more or less
backing, interested in development Of
waste places in the community, and
also an agent for all kinds Of reading
matter, which he offered to furnish at
liberal discounts for the cash in hand.
He found quite number Of people,
who were willing to take his bargains
In periodicals., ETC., some who would
sell him various articles on credit, and
still others who gave him cash for
money that was either already in the
bank, or would be there within day
or two.
About the time that the magazines
which had been paid for, ought to have
been coming In, some Of the checks hav-
ing been turned down in the meantime,
Guerard left town and there was a
general realization on the part Of those
who had been touched" Of a fact that
they had already had good reason to
suspect, and caused good deal Of in
disnation over the whole affair.
The first one of Guerard's intended
victims to definitely discover the real
game Of the fellow, was local busi-
ness man to whom an unpaid check
was returned. This business man took
prompt steps to secure warrant and
jump the plausible blind man just as
he was leaving town. By means Of an
earnest talk Of good intentions, cou-
pied with an alleged abundant source Of
money elsewhere to be tapped at once.
Guerard managed to induce sympa-
thetic acquaintance to come down with
the cash and got away without being
arrested.
After the departure Of Guerard,
there was a round of talk that devel-
oped a lot of information about his
previous record, and great many peo-
pie agreed that he should be arrested
and made to do time; but with the talk,
there was no action until Mr.. w. s.
Gordon Of Yorkville, who had cashed
bogus check in good faith, purely as
matter of friendly accommodation,
found that Guerard was in Abbeville,
and had him brought back to York
VILE. Then several other warrants
were sworn out and other prosecutions
were instituted.
Several previous chapters in the case
have already been published. Guerard
secured the services of w. w. Lewis,
Esq, who undertook to adjust the
matter, and succeeded very nicely with
all those who were pressing criminal
charges, except Mr.. Gordon, and the
Century Magazine. The others agreed
to withdraw their warrants on condi-
ton of the return Of the sums they
were out; but Mr.. Gordon declined to
take anything by way Of restitution or
compromise, stating that he had
sworn out the warrant, simply because
he had considered it to be his duty to
do so, and while he would be perfectly
satisfied with such disposition Of the
case as Magistrate de I.oach might see
proper to make, so far as he was con-
cerned, the law must take its course.
Guerards father and brother were
here Wednesday, and the understand
ing is that they are to raise the resti-
tuition money necessary to square
things up. In the meantime, Guerard
remains in jail.