Edgar Laplante

Edgar Laplante (c. 1888 – January 1944), sometimes posed as Chief White Elk,[lower-alpha 1] was an American-Indian con man and actor known for his confidence tricks such as duping local businessmen, admiring world class leaders and women by posing American war hero and distance runner, including Tom Longboat. He also used to involve the lovers in substance abuse. He carried his first con at an apparent age of 14.

Edgar Laplante
Edgar Laplante, posing as Chief White Elk, 1918[1]
Born1888
Central Falls, Rhode Island, United States
DiedJanuary 1944
Arizona, US
NationalityAmerican-Indian[2]
OccupationConfidence trickster, Actor
Spouse(s)Burtha Thompson

Sometimes, he collected money by delivering public speeches at religious places and civil societies such as local churches and organizations without revealed his real name.

Biography

He was born around 1888 in Central Falls, Rhode Island. His father was a carpenter.[3] He is also known as Prince Tewanna Ray. He went to England at an apparent age of 34 to arrange a meeting with Edward VIII following his unpaid bills and police investigation. He first played "Red Indian" characters around 1917 and used to travel from one city to another. He also delivered motivational speeches to businessmen and soldiers. He knew more than 21 languages which he used to indulge leaders, businessmen, kings, queens and world class leaders, and also pretended as an activist while collecting donations for the promotion of "Indian rights".

He later went to Switzerland where he was arrested by the Swiss police for his involvement in confidential tricks in the country. He was sentenced to a one year in prison, and later in October 1925 when he was released, he went to Italy where he was sentenced to a seven years in prison with a fine of over 1 million Italian lira, however he was released after four years.[4]

Cons

Prior to his arrest, he went to Europe where he acted in a film titled La caravane vers l’Ouest under the pseudonym Chief White Elk. In 1924, he went to Italy and presented himself as a delegation member of the League of Nations. His traditional dress made him famous in Italy, and earned him honour from the fascist rulers of Italy. Later in 1926, he was convicted by a court in Turin for his involvement in frauds. He, according to uncertain claims tried to justify himself stating "I'm an actor, I just did what people expected me to do".[5]

Personal life

He also posed as Chief White Elk which helped him to marry a woman of Utah named Burtha Thompson. His marriage was attended by the governor, believing he was real Chief White Elk. He along with his spouse visited the US and Canada, and he subsequently left his wife alone due to his substance abuse.[1]

Death

He moved to New York after his release from Italian prison and died of myocardial infarction in Arizona.[4]

References
  1. "King Con: Man successfully impersonates Indigenous leaders his whole life, acquiring riches and fame - CBC Radio". CBC. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  2. "'INDIAN CHIEF' BACK, SHORN OF HIS GLORY; Says False Claims Won Him Riches, Fame and Five Years in an Italian Prison. WANTS A 'PLAIN JOB' 'White Elk,' Decorated by Fascists, Is Now Just Edgar La Plante of Pawtucket, R.I. Makes Humble Start. Wins a Decoration". September 20, 1929 – via NYTimes.com.
  3. Getlen, Larry (August 18, 2018). "'Indian chief' con man wasn't even Native American".
  4. Dawar, Anil (August 6, 2018). "The rise and fall of King Con". Express.co.uk.
  5. "Photographs at liberty: Chief White Elk" and the blackshirts, Sommezzano Castle, Tuscany, 1924". June 17, 2020.

Notes
  1. Chief White Elk was the chief or leader of the Cherokee Nation

Further reading
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