The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-16
BOGUS MARQUIS
SOUGHT LOAN
OF $50,OOO,000
New Rousselot Revelations
Bare Attempt to Swindle
Morgan, & Co.
NAME USED
W. F.. D. Stokes, From Whom
He Got $500, Induced
to Aid.


the elder Dumas sit UP and take notice.
Let all the other French novelists OF the
early nineteenth century stir at least
once In their shrouds. For never did
any Of them conceive a tale more ex-
travagant than was brought to light last
night following the fling OF Federal
Grand Jury indictments against the
bogus Marquis Edmond Rousselot di
Castillot, erstwhile a SIS per week tele-
phone clerk.
Tho charges were Hled late yesterday
afternoon with Federal Judge Edwin 8.
Thomas. They accuse Rousselot with
having masqueraded as a foreign diplo-
mat. with forging "a pass to visit war
ships in this port. with swindling and
with theft of Treasury Department let
terheads.
But the real story Of Rousselot's wild
schemes was learned later. and then for
the first time did it become known that
this now famoais drawing room impostor
Lad carried frauds to che extent OF at
tempting to work $5O.O0O,0OO swindle
on J. p. Morgan & Co.. and that he sue
ceeded in defrauding w, E. D. Stokes OF
$500.
Turn Back to the Beginning.
The story Of Rousselot is too colossal
to he taken piecemeal. To comprehend
this Monte Cristo one should harken to
TIE latest revelations Of his idiosyn-
crasies from the beginning.
l, has been published Of Rousselot
that he posed as n foreign diplomat and
military officer; that he bought himself
an odd French uniform which was
combination Of pieces representing four
branches of the military service that he
forged the name Of the Spanish monarch
to letters which he sent himself. and
that he sought the hand OF fair Marjofie
Rambeau. the star Of Eyes Of Youth"
But from the evidence now before the
ohicials. a large and important part of
which was supplied by W. F.. D. Stokes
himself a rOnaYce completely NoutsNs'Ftner
the previous one now presents itself.
The bogus Marquis started upon his
adventurous career when he made the
acquaintance OF wealthy woman. Miss
Josephine Mayher. From her ne OBJ
tanned $4,000, giving some stocks as
securities and a claim in writing upon
his interest in the vast estates of the
noble family di Castillo So far as
can be learned. these estates consisted
Of Il mosquito infested swamp in New
Jersey.
Then did the Marquis acquire
suite at the Waldorf-Astoria. where be
bombarded himself with impressive look
ing correspondence. He cut crests from
furriers' advertisements and pasted them
on the outside Of envelopes which he
addressed ITO His EXcellency the Mar
ous Edmond Rousselot di Castillo, Con-
Edential Representative Of His Majesty,
King Alfonso Nil. OF Spain He
plastered his letters with sealing wax to
which hc applied gold paint. He oh
'aiued a rubber stamp worded spanish
Embassy. Washington. -. c." and with
this he stamped envelopes innumerable.
Posed ~ Intimate Of King.
Al these things caused furore when
the fake noblcman dropped them ac-
cdcntally here and there. He also pre-
pared a document purporting to be some
foreign commission of importance and
affixed to 1t the seal of IA notary public.
lie would exhibit it quickly. telling peo-
pie that the seal was that Of the King
Of Spain. returning it to his pocket be-
lore they could inspect il.
So did the Marquis live at the Wal
iorf, cultivatiug influential acQuaint-
ances and waiting for great opportuni-
ties, Eventually these great opportun-
ties presented themselves personified in
Mr.. Stokes
The Marquis had changed his abode to
~" Hotel Ansonia and rad obtained an
Introduction TO tine millionaire owner.
He was now hitting the Gay White Way
ul night and pursuing certain 'Follies
ravorites. In the day time he was i'm
pressing Mr.. stokes with his intimacy
With the King Of Spain and with the
French Amba ssador. Jules Jusserand.
one day. according TO Mr.. Stokes, the
supposed nobleman appeared greatly agi-
'ated. He tore his raven locks. Be
hold" he cried, Il am ruined"
Mr. Stokes gazed upon fake tele-
gram signed "Jusserand.' stating that
the sender would be in New York for a
brief isit the following day.
'IIe comes Tomorrow" sohbed Rous.
e"iot. and m! funds are tied up, ! have
10 money with which to entertain him
The wealthy Mr.. Stokes was touched
u"tn in heart and purse. He Nrew forth
SJon in crisp. new bills. and said: lie,
..t help you out" Rousselot let him
But Roussslot had selected Mr.. Stokes
20 play an even more important role ir
His littlo drama. and the next day he ex
hibited to him bogus letter purportins
TO come from the King Of Spain. ir
which 1t was said that the Spanish treas
my was running quite low and that
title food Of $50. 100000 would come ir
very handy,