A MASONIC IMPOSTOR DETECTED.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 273, 4 June 1866, Page 3

A MASONIC IMPOSTOR DETECTED.

On Tuesday last a man called at the business premises of Mr C. Paton, 9 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Past Master of the lodge " Caledonian," jSTo. 392, representing himself as a freemason, and begging for assistance.- going through a number of manoeuvres, which were at once detected to be false, he gave his name as John Grozier, member of the "Ancient Brazen" Lodge Linithgow, IS"o. 17. During the conversation he declared that he had his diploma at his father's house in Linlithgow, of which town he is a native. By his ridiculous manner he was at once detected to be an impostor ; but to make douubly sure, he was kept in conversation while a private message was despatched with a member of the craft to the G-rand Lodge chambers in Greorge-street, when the books were turned up, and no such name as that of John Grozier appeared. On receiving this information he was at once handed over to the police, when, fining himself in this position, he tried to escape the consequences of his imposition by giving the name of John Hamilton. On*hearing this, Mr. Paton immediately proceeded by the first train to Linlithgow, and at the B.W.Ms house got a number of the principal office-bearers of the lodge together, turned up the books, and no such name as that of John Grozier ever appeared. The impostor was well known to many of the Linlithgow brethren and people, who have known him as such for many years. To further identify him, tne E."W\M. proceeded to Edinburgh, and there he recognised him as John Grozier, having known him personally for more than twenty years, and was certain he was never in any manner connected with the craft. Other two parties who knew him well were got, and also recognised him. It turned out that John Hamilton, whom he, on being detected and handed over to the police, endeavoured to represent, had been dead for nearly eleven years. Grozier knowing this, thought he might easily assume his name, as this very John Hamilton, when alive, was a member of the Linlithgow police. John" Grozier, during the inquiries, was kept under the surveillance of the police, and came up before the Police Court on a charge _ of begging. The leading witness, in giving Kin (J^iAmn^n njnlaiiToil . nXI Ai»-O OUUIIUB—

stances. John G-rozier was accordingly very properly sent to prison by the magistrate for, the period of ten days, with hard labour. — Stirling Journal, March 2.