DEATH OF A FAMOUS IMPOSTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 170, 16 August 1879, Page 3

DEATH OF A FAMOUS IMPOSTER.

A famous imposter has just died in the poorhou.se at Hawick. He had his day, Robert Aitkin, alias “Hi-I-Obhy,” a name belonging to a language, which, probably,Robert himself invented. He had several notable things ; but his greatest exploit—that by which he is still most feelingly remembered in the South of Scotland—was when, twenty years ago, he made the canny people there believe that he had become heir to a large estate and great wealth by the death of an uncle in ' America. Robert soon found himself living in clover, as the saying is. His story, perhaps to his surprise was believed. It was easy to point out that it would take a considerable time to realise an estate bequeathed to him in America 5 and several generous gentlemen In the neighborhood of Dunse —no punning allowed—gave him a cash account in one of the Banks for LIOOO. It was easy for an ingenious fellow like Robert Aitkin to play/ the gentleman. His society was courted on all hands, and by the most respectable families, in Dunse. He purchased an estate, but of course forgot to pay for it ; he bought hunters, jewellery, was richly apparelled, gave great dinners himself, and dined sumptuously with the most respectable families in the neighbourhood. It was a gay life whil® it lasted, hut Robert hung to it too . long. He was convicted of fraud and isjprisoned ; and this seems to have broken the spirit of the clever imposter as his fortunes thereafter sank low, and now he has died in the pooxhouse.