Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-03-13
WEARING SOLDIERS
UNIFORM UNLAWFUllY
Gregory, Locked up by
Deputy United States Marshal
Reeves, Recites Wierd Tale
Which Started with a De.
bauch in New York

Ernest Gregory. who claims Fast
Orange. N. j., as his home. was locked
up yesterday morning by Deputy United
States Marshal Thomas Reeves, the
charge against him being that he has
been masquerading in a soldiers uniform
for some time past. He will be taken be-
fore United States Commissioner ]. !.
Enright to-day, when an opportunity will
be given him to furnish bail, and later
this week an information will be filed
against him by United States District
Attorney V. A. Billiard. after which he
VIII he taken before Judge Harland p.
Howe for the disposal of his case
Gregory was turned over to the United
States authorities by the military ALL
thorities at Fort Ethan Allen following
an investigation from that post as to his
right 10 wear a uniform. which informa-
ton disclosed the fact that Gregory had
never had that right
Gregory came to this city on January
% from Montreal. at which time he made
application at Fed Cross headquarters
here for transportation to New York city.
On the same day he was taken to police
headquarters, where he stated that he
was in need of medical attention for
venereal disease. He was sent by the
police to Fort Ethan Allen, where he
was placed in the hospital
While at Fort Ethan Allen the officers
there. skeptical over his story of enlist
ment. started an investigation which re-
suited in letter being sent to District
Attorney Billiard from the office of the
commanding general of the northeastern
department. 4. s. A., with the Informal
ton that Gregory had no right to wear
the uniform of this country.
When ha was turped pyer IN tho Unit ed
States court officials and confronted with
his history. Gregory made no attempt to
deny the charge that he was wearing his
uniform unlawfully but talked voubly
His story is wild and ilI-fitting in places
According to his tale he was out on
lark in New York city. met an amiable
man with whom he spent the night.
drinking from a bottle previous to retir-
ing. The bottle. he says. must have
been doped. In the morning when he
awoke he was dressed in the soldiers
uniform, his civilian clothes having dis
appeared with the stranger of the night
before. However, $50 which he had when
he went to sleep was with him and on
that he took a trip to Montreal. still
in uniform, where his adventure took
on a new chapter in the form of a Won
derful girl. She found his weakness and
he was doped again, his wad disappear
ing over night.
Finding his way back as far as Bur-
iington. he attempted to obtain from
the Red Cross enough money to return
to New York. He also stated that he
had used some dope, but that he did
not want the stun now. Just wanted to
forget he had ever had any. His appe-
lite came with the first dose admins
tered by the New York gentleman and
occasional shifts were necessary after
wards until after his adventure in Mont
real. Last night he claimed pains In
the heart and a general feeling of i'll
ness.
Gregory claims to be n Frenchman by
birth, although insisting that his par
ents. Mr.. and Mrs. Gabriel Gregory of
II Summit street. East Orange, N. J.,
are italian. He claims to have made
at least ten attempts to enlist in the
service of his country, but each time he
was turned down because Of an ear
trouble. Gregory claims to be only 1s
years of age, although he looks much
older.