THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1520, 30 March 1887, Page 3

THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT.

The following 'is from the London letter of tho "Dunodla St»r":--The unfortunate Claimant has at length reached the lowest rung of fortune's ladder, bar tho workhouse. He is exhibiting him* self m a travelling oaravan m the States m company with a " bearded lady " and a '• deformed drawf " for a penny ahow. A New South Wales "eqoatter" wo knew Castro yoarß ago at Wagga Wagga came across this show at Chicago (I think he said), and went m to see if he could recognise bia old acquaintance. Be found the erstwhile burly botcher a broken-down old man, hopelessly weary and despondent. The Australian came to the conclusion that (whatever was the case originally) the Claimant firmly believes himself to be Sir Roger Tiohborne now. He has acted the lie till it has become solid reality to 'him. The ono thing all who have ever met Castro (from Sergeant Ballantlne and Guildford Onskw m his meat prosperous days down to Davitt and other prisoners at Dartmoor) t»)l unite m saying ia that, drunk or sober, no temptation would ever persuade him to confess his inperaonation of Tlchboroe a fraud . Even now he will tell you " his name and bia honor are deartr to him than life." With a view to settling tho Tichborne question finally at rest, and gmrding future generations of the family from the annoying pretentiona of ihe Claimant's progeny, Sir Edward Tlohboroa reoently, I am told, Instructed hia solicitor to offer "Sir Hoger " a small annuity if he would make an Affidavit (for publication after hia death) of 'he true facts of the Or tonCastro conspiracy. The offer was ecornfully repelled,