The Washington herald., 1913-07-11
SAYSIT
IS SANE LAMAR
Thought the "WoK Of Wall
Street" Is the Man Who
Once Lived IN Georgia.
WAS TWICE ARRESTED
Proneted Several Schemes, Which
Are Declared to Have Ended IN
Losses for the Investors.

Losses for the Investors.
Atlanta, Ga, July 10.-In the published
photographs of David Lamar. "the WOLF
of Wall Street." who naiveiy admitted
before the Senate lobby committee at
WASHINGTON that he had impersonated
a number of public men In an EFFORT to
influence legislation. some persons OF At
lanta have seen striking resemblance
to an old acquaintance-tne greatest Get
ich-Quick Wallingford who ever oper-
ated In the Gate City.
The Lamar that these persons knew
came to Atlanta about 1882, and for sew
eral years was more or less successful
in promoting various schemes. which
finally led to his arrest and departure
for other fields. While here, however.
he lived in high style except when under
indictment or in Jail. and the known facts
of his career reveal not only that he has
had q greater supply Of funds since but
that he has also escaped the tentacles OF
the law.
The Lamar of Atlanta is described as
having a remarkable personality and in
sight into human nature. Soon after
reaching Atlanta he established close
relations with q private banker. He
rented the house of the late George W.
Harrison, at the corner Of Cone and
Poplar Streets, then one Of the fashion,
able sections of Atlanta. and proceeded
to live in magnificent fashion. His wife
was considered q very beautiful woman.
He 10 said to have shown her every con-
s,deration.
Plan to Start Weekly.
Lamars first scheme was to persuade
Sam Hall, q former Albanian, who was
a social leader and possessed OF consid-
cradle money, to go in with him In the
establishment of a weekly society paper.
In a Justices court, where Lamar was
arraigned, subsequently. Hall charged
him with cheating and swindling." and
said that he had paid Lamar $500 with
which to start the paper. but that the
paper had failed to appear and that he
had seen nothing further OF his money.
Lamar, handsome and self-confident,
rose in court and read written de-
fence Of himself. The defense was
this:
MIR. Hall did not want his name to be
associated with the paper. but he PROM
Used that, from time to time. he would
furnish me with choice and meaty bits
of gossip and scandal Later. / called
on Mr.. Hall at his place Of business, and
was surprised to find him a bookkeeper
in a coffin factory. There, surrounded by
the grewsome evidences of the mortality
of man, We completed our arrangements
Lamar's speech staggered the court and
he escaped on a technicality.
Lamar next organized a company to
take over the street car advertising Of
Atlanta. He induced DR.. Joseph Jacobs
to invest $3.50. When the company did
not develop DR.. Jacobs kissed his
money goodby.
Several years later, when DIR. Jacobs
was visiting in New York City. he no.
ticed in the papers that q David Lamar,
a wealthy Wall Street broker. was win
ming blue ribbons at the Madison Square
Garden Horse Show. He decided that
the case was worth investigating, SO he
called at the Wall Street address of David
Lamar. After an office boy had carried
in his card the private office door OF
Lamar swung open and there stood what
appeared to be the former Albanian sur
rounded by luxurious furnishings.
Claimed His $1,000.
Lamar was gushing. He greeted DR..
Jacobs with an embrace, declaring that
DIR. Jacobs had been his great benefac-
tor in time of grave need.
You know" Lamar Is represented to
have said. Il was planning a little va
cation. For that reason l have neg
lected to send you the money ! owe
1t to you personally"
The story told by DIR. Jacobs to his
friends after his return was that Lamar
the amount to be $1,000, but
after a little argument he was con-
WINGED 1t was $500. He gave DR.. Jacobs
a New York exchange for the amount
But to get back to the Atlanta end of
the story.
Unrebuffed by the failure of his two
former projects. Lamar attempted to Or
ganiZe an accident insurance company
for railroad employees. His banker friend
stood him in good stead as chief hacker.
He got $500 from a citizen, who soon
regretted being persuaded. The result
was another warrant issued by a justice
Of the peace.
Billy Grim a city detective started to
serve the warrant on Lamar at the lat
ter's fine residence. On his way he met
a reporter. whom he invited to go along
with him. Lamar met them most gra-
ciously at the door and was informed of
their mission.
Gentlemen" he said, this is awk-
ward. I am just eating my dinner. and
am sure you will not interrupt me or
disturb my wife"
Got Rid of Papers.
Billy Grim replied that he had a war
rant charging a crime and that Lamar
would have to go with him. 1t was
decided finally that the reporter would
stand sponsor for Lamar until the lat
ter finished his dinner, which he did
with leisurely ease. He explained to
his wife that the visitors came on bust
ness.
On his way to the police station La
mar asked to stop and see an old friend
in the Postal Telegraph Office. The re-
quest was granted, and Lamar held
short private conversations with a Mr..
Close. the then manager
At the police station Capt. j. NJ.
Wright. then chief of detectives, re-
fused Lamar the privilege of any Wis
itors. A day of such solitude rufled
Lamar's nerves, and in a very agitated
state he appealed to his newspaper
friend.
He explained that he had never seen
Mr.. Close, of the telegraph office, before,
but that he had had some important
papers in his pocket which he had to
hide from the detectives. and that he
had given them to Mr.. Close with the
solemn request that he hold them until |
they met again.
It know by his eyes that that man
will grant my request" said Lamar. |
Now I want you to get that man and |
my wife down here so that the papers
h., tro 60