The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-14
Among Early RecolIections

Among Early Recoliections
 Tn reading recently of a bold bunco game in Maysville. Ky, I recalled Va smooth confidence operation with social side to it performed in that same town just after the war" said man who was born and reared near Maysville. Al though I was only 1S years old when the war closed I remembered the accounts or all the big battles and the discussions among the Maysville folks. The popula- tion of the town was about 5000, and the prominent citizens seemed to be about evenly divided in their sympathies be- tween north and south. Most of the peo- pie I knew were Confederate sympa- thzers, and hundreds of young men went from Maysville and the surrounding coun- try and joined the Confederate army. Maysvile society in those days was noted for its culture, and a fact worthy of note, which comes to my mind now, is that all though the war feeling was intense union sympathlzers and southern sympathizers mingled socially without any bitterness. But the unionsts enjoyed many joke at the expense of the 'secesh' society | leaders.
 1 'In 1S66 just about a year after Lees surrender at Appomattox. man of fine physique and elegant address registered at the principle hotel as Gen. L. Q. c. Lamar of Mississippi. There was no daily paper in the town at that time, but it was soon noised about that Lamar, one of the greatest statesman-solders of the south was there. Within 24 hours law yers, doctors, preachers, bankers and others known as staunch Confederates, called to pay their respects to General Lamar, or as it turned out, the man who personated Lamar. No Maysvillian had ever seen Lamar, but all of the society set had read about him and the men were familiar with his illustrious career They felt themselves honored in having such a southern parsonage in their midst The general said he had come to Kentucky to look after private business, and would remain in Maysville week or more. The president of a large bank, being an ardent southerner, said in most gracious manner, General, if there
 
 bank don't hesitate to cail on us.' The general expressed his appreciation of the bankers courtesy, but said he didn't think | he would have occasion to ask any favors during his short stay. On the second day of his visit one of the prominent jurists | of Maysville, who lived in elegant style, gave a dinner party in honor of Lamar. On the third day the general was walk ing along the street in company with the president of the bank who had been so kind in the way of offering financial ac- commodations. The disting guished visitor dropped a piece of paper on the sidewalk as if by accident Here, general, is some thing you dropped said the banker. Ths general, with a slight color in his face as if embarrassed, said Oh, this is sight draft for $500 had just filled out. was going around to the bank later to ask you to cash it for me.
 'I wasn't as familiar with banking then as I am now, and don't remember to have | heard on whom the draft was drawn or | the postoffice address, but it was prob ably drawn on someone or some bank in | General Lamar's home town The bank president said that he would be delighted | to cash it. It was after banking hours but the president had his teller get out the money and hand it to his friend. Gen eral Lamar. The visitor left town that | night. and in day or so was arrested in | Cincinnati. He was wanted in many small cities. He was known to the police as the ablest confidence man in the United 1 States He had a score more of aliases but he spent the remainder of his days in a penitentiary under the Eame of Humphreys.
 "Of course, the unionists of Maysville had a good laugh at the expense of their | 'secesh' friends It is needless to say that the southern sympathizers were greatly chagrined.
 We are familiar by reading with bun co and all sorts of crooked business, but when I was a youth a skilled confidence man was a rarity. The curious thing is that the educated men of affairs in Mays | vile took a stranger in their fond em- brace without so much as a letter of in- troduction. Maysvlle is only @ miles from Cincinnati, and is by no means a sleepy town Even 40 years ago it was noted for it's thrift and up-to-date man ners. But the shrewdest of men are ia- bic to he taken in sometimes. and the warmth of heart of the Confederate sym pathizers in a border community was proverbial, hence the temporary success of the man who represented himself to be Gen. l.. Q. C. Lamar"