Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1832-08-30
5-sar NOTORIOUS STEVENS.


-. who with his associates q few years
- committed some Of the most extensive
"a daring forgeTies that were ever heard OF
:. ~. roSntrv. Stevens was IN EngIishman
~, h;r,h well educated, aud believed 20 be an
:...r,,Isr descendant from oue Of the noble
c.n,;I;rs of the Kingdom. His career of crime
lad cen in successful operation for many
years ia London, the West Indies, and else
where, before the hand of justice arrested
him. He resided IN this city few months
previous to his apprehension 10 New York,
and was concerned with that arch villain
Reed in despoiling Mr.. f. w. Dana Of about
ten thousand dollars, by passing forged post
note to him for that amount on one OF the
New York banks. His depredati0ns upon
the merchants and the banks in New Y ork,
excited a most unprecedented alarm in that
city, and it was many weeks before the ea-
gle eve and vigilance of that renowned villain
catcher, Jacob Hayes, could put period to
his progress. After his arrest, he was indu-
ced to make full and frank disclosure the
means used by him to carry his plans into
successful execution, in order to quiet the
public mind and to satisfy the Banks that
many OF the checks passrd TO them were ac-
tually forgeries. In one or two instances the
signatures Of the mercantile houses were SO
closely initiated that the Banks denied them
to be forgeries, and were unwilling to submit
to the loss until the question was settled be-
yond doubt by the information given by
Stevens. In one instance when the gang
had drawn about nine Thousand dollars from
the Utiion Bank by forged check, the forge
Fies being discovered in about an hour after
wards, one Of the tellers repaired hastily 10 the
other banks to ascertain if any large notes Of
that bank mad hecn changed By any Of them
10 the course Of the day, the money drawn be-
ing in notes Of that description. When the
teller entered the Franklin Bank, o0s Of the
clerks was then counting out to Stevens the
change for note of Me Union Bank of one
thousand dollars, but his appearance, his self
possession, and the circumstances, completely
protected him from their suspicion. He was
sentenced to be imprisoned in the state prison
Tor period Of fourteen years for his crimes,
and two of his aecomplices, Holdgate and
Sutton, for the terms Of their natural Ives
Reed vas unprecedented in New-YOrk, FOR
the forgery committed on DR.. Dana, and be-
log demanded by the Executive ofthis Com
nonwealth from that State for punishment,
was transported 1hither, tried, convicted and
sentenced to the State Prison at CharlestowB.
The personal appearance, manners and ed
ucation of Stevens gave him currency aud
consideration in almost every circle where he
was able to gain admission. In the interior
of PennsyIyania, he represented himself to be
an English nobIeman Of fortune. travelling 10
this country for his own pleasure and graff-
cation, and so well did he sustain his assum-
ed character that in many places his society
was eagerly courted by the most Distinguish
ed Of the inhabitants. He succeedAd in win
ming the affections Of young lady Of respec-
liability, whom he married without shadow
Of suspicion ON her part that he was acting
pcrfdiously, aud that she was ultimately to
become the wife Of tenant ofthe State Pris-
on. Her fidelity and attachment to him
were not to be shaken, however, though she
found herself in that painful situation, aban-
doned by her friends, an ontcast almost from
society, and the pale victim of despair. She
immediately opened a small millinery estab- |
lishment ia New-Y ork and maintained herself
respectfully ly her own industry.
When Justice Valentine, one OF the Police
Magistrates in that city, was impeached for
his misconduct 10 the discharge OF his official
duties, ono of the charges preferred against
him was. that he had borrowed Ave hundred
dollars from him while in BrideweIl. Upon
his trial before the Court of Common Pleas.
Mrs. Stevens being subpened as witness,
underwent q loRg and severe cross examine
ton from his counsel, with a view to over
throw the evidence she had 10 regard to that
of the counsel was to descredif her testimony,
BY endeayoring TO show that she must neces-
ssarily be q woman Of loose character, in con-
sequence Of her being the wife of felon.--
Her irmness and demeanor on that occasion
were very remarkable and the sensibility
she evinced when appealing for protection
against improper Undergraduates from the
counsel. produceda decided impression among
both court and assembly. that however per-
6dionsly her husband had acted towards her,
yet she had eyer adhered 10 him through evil
report and good report with unsIllied fidelity.
Boston atlas.
Lost Chiid.-On Thursday last, Jenison
Alkire took with him his sister Elizabeth,
and proceeded about three miles from home,
Cor the purpose OF watching deer lick. They
staid ali night at the lick, aud Jenison killed
Il deer. 10 the morning, 6nding his horse
had left him, he prevailed on Elizabeth 10
stay at the Camp with the deer, until he
should 60 home and return with the horse.
.Jenison went home, returned with a, horse,
but found that his sister had left the camp
He called her ia vain; he endeavored to find
her trace through the weeds. but without sue
cess. He then fastened home and gave the
alarm; the nearest neighhors were immedi-
ately convened, and pf6ceeded 10 search Of
the child. VIM. Loudoll. David Alkire, and
Rnnnnft TALL $50 - -. ..n.