The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-04
.FAkER DEFRAUDS
STATE OFFICIALS
Confidence Man Claimed to Be
Son of State Senator
Bland Massie.
SENATOR MARTIN is VICTIM
Detectives on Trail Of Young
Man for Whom Checks
Were Cashcd.

Trading on the personal and pontl-
cal friendships Of Senator Blend Mas
sic OF Nelson. q stranger has cleaned
state officials out of good Sized
sum of money. Just how much rs In
volved IS not known. since It is pro-
bablc some OF the victims lave pro-
ferred to keep quiet rather than hurt
Senator Massie's feelings.
AS It IS. tho Senator. with some OF
tho men victiinlzed. Is on tho trial OF
the impostor. and promises TO make
1t hot for him.
Gets owen md IIoiner.
On Juno 20 young man. tall ana
not unpropossessing. appeased at the
Capitol lie said he wa r IT, Mas
Sic. son OF Bland Massie. who is
known 10 every man In public life
In Virginia To Commissioner Of Az
I, riculture Koiner he said ne had stayed
IN town little longer than ne had
expected, and DID not quite like TO
write his father for money lie asked
that a dfaf, be cashed At tho re-
quest OF Mr.. Koiner Institute Director
49, j owen went with the young man
10 q bunk, and there drew some money
from hts own account and handed Il
TO the pseudo Massie. taking IN re-
turn a draft for si5 on Bland M4ssie.
This draft like others. came back
Calling on Register OF the Land Of
fec John W Richardson. tho strang-
er admitted that he had been living
rather gay lie in Richmond ana vas
q little afraid to ask his father for
inonsy. tic wanted TO borrow SO
feling safe In lending TO son Of
Senator Msasie Colonel Richardson
produced ths ten in cash. taking moth
ing but due bill in return. said duo
bin has nos been cluiined.
Murphys Hotel was cleaned un for
$50. Speaker r e Byrd is said TO
have also been victim
Fraud Discovered.
When tho checks given by the young
man began to come buck. the victims
took notice som. OF them wrote 70
Senetor Massie thinking he might he
unacqlalnted with his sons psccadu-
loes. lie promptly replied that he
knew nothing Of N enatter that tho
scoundrel was no son OF Ills that ne
mas bur orc grown son, wno has not
been in Richmond since last october
and that ne VIII be glad TO help prose-
cute the man who has thus been vic
timizing his fsien-s
This was NOT ali FLUSHED with his
success in Richmond. the false Niassie
MED him 10 Washington. where nc
got Senator Thomas :. Martin sor
SIS The Senator also took the mat
ter UP with the Nelson county man.
and has learned that his money Is
some. IN this instance the :aker gays
his personal check ~ the name Of r.
Massie
Maybe other victims
II IS supposed there are others. who
feeling that Senator Massie might have
a dlssipated son. have hes!tated 10
write him or such an UNPLEASANT sub
jcct These may now come to light
Colonel Richardson has placed the
matter in the hands Of detectives
Whoever ho was. the stranger knew
his ground lie discussed freely men
end affairs IN Senator Missiles part Of
HE state lie save correctly his
fathers post-office address. told OF tho
intter's light last year against senator
aubrey p STROBE. an, commended Con
gressman Floods "def-nse OF Virginia"
in the Baltimore convention. Asked
about o V. Hanger. assistant clerk IN
the state Senate. the young man said
he understood Sir Hanger had sold
ont at Amherst and was leaving but
that his family was sim there This
turns out to he true
But II those here mentioned com
priscd the entire list OF victims the
State officials will marvel a, his mod
grafton. considering what an easg time
he had In getting the money ne wanted
on tho strength Of BLAND Massies
name.