The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-18


everybody in authority of respectable position In
sOciety-even against my mother. I made up my
mind that from that time on would rob everybody
could and have mercy for man, woman or child.
After was discharged from the police court
obtained several positions master mechanic and
engineer with wealthy yachtsnen on the Clyde.
Through the kindness of greataunt, Miss Margaret
Cray, purchased motor launch of my own and
] staftd out to make living with it.
). "a heavy gale arose one night when was clean
iu my boat, "Capercailzie," the beach. A large
h-rigged yacht called the Veronique" broke her
nio0rings and began to drift ashore. went out on
ny boat with the idea Of rescuing anybody who
might be aboard the "Veronique." When reached
herashe had struck on the shore and was pounding
heaeily Owing to the greater draught of the yacht
/ was able to sail up under her lee side. got up
her smizzen, and taking her anchor aboard my
launch carried Il far out to sea- placed one of my
volunteers at her hand winch and succeeded in get
ting her head to the wind and finally towed her off
TO safety and anchored her.
$3.50 The next day my own boat was seized by the
of the shipyard where she had been repaired
to pay their bill. was able, however. to obtain
quick settlement Of $3.50 for saving the "Veronique"
With this money started off for London, and here
began my real career an international swndler..
snLplunged into every extravaganza could think
fentertaining actresses and chorus girls dancing/
drinking. motoring, gambling; etc. speedily ex-
hausted my little bank account but that did not stop
my career for day. Whenever needed money
cashed bad check some hotel keeper, restaurant
keeper, tailor or other tradesman, bookmaker,
wealthy sportsman or owner of gambling den.
AT first started by drawing checks on the bank
Id which had exhausted my account. This was not
aeaiminal offence, but could not keep it up ndef-
nitely. Twas amazed at the ease with which could
paSssworthless checks. man only needs to be well
dressed have fairly good manners and show himself
public with people Of good social position and ne
4iday
II The ease with which many business men cash a
check when they would not lend money constitutes
a.serious temptation to thoughtless young men to
enter upon career of crime and theft. When |
learned how simple it to cash worthless check
FinAde practice of picking up check book when
even had an opportunity. It was then very easy
to- pick up handful of loose checks in almost any
English bank / also passed many checks which
were simply written blank sheets of paper Sooner
later punishment is bound to overtake the thief
but it is hard for young man buying champagne at
the Criterion in the midst of group of fascinating
GAyety girls and sportsmen to realize that the hard
hand of policeman is likely to fall on him.
edahe proprietor of the Golden Cross Hotel Char
ing Cross, proved more severe than the other bust
ness men / victimized. had cashed check for $50
with him after giving a magnificent dinner with
champagne to dozen ornaments of the theatrical
and sporting world. The check was worthless, and
Iohad also had the dinner which cost a great deal
more than the check, charged to my account The
nndoubted position of some of my guests in Burkes
Peerage had made it easy to carry on this fraud.
Unfortunately the hotel proprietor met several other
business who had cashed bad checks for me, and
he drew the conclusion thatI trying to beat him.
FOIlce
Court in London and was sent to Bedford Prison
for three months. was then sixteen years old, bat
looked four years more than my age
After leaving this prison was sent home to my
mother in Scotland My record had preceded me-
and for time found it difficult to obtain employ
ment among the canny Scotch people. After trying
in vain for months to obtain the confidence of
my countrymen, decided to go away to Southamp
ton; in England which is situated great distance
from Glasgow The English seemed less well in
formed about my police record than the Scotch In
Southampton became the chief engineer of Mr..
Rarnsden Tagore's fine motor yacht, the "Peterkin"
n. Ispent a very pleasant with her, making
the acquaintance Of many of the wealthy and fash
ionable people from America and all parts of the
world who visited Cowes during the yachting
At the end Of this period had to look for other
means of support and amusement. 1t was then that
went off on the first of my afterward famous motor
dashes."
Passing myself off Al a wealthy yachtsman, who
jhad been spending the season at Cowes l hired