Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1838-02-13
DEFERED SRrfcLES.
" sTUPENDOUs vILLAINY, +"

ing daring aud novel attempt at fraud,
scarcely cqualcd ia The annals OF cumc-it
being no less than al attempt to procure "a
large quantit, Of bills stricken oil on the
regular plate of one OF the western banks,
by means of forged order from the bank.
The circumstances are brief, these Messrs
Guriey d. Burton, bank aote engrayets aud !
printers in New York. recently found in .
their box u written order purporting TO be
given from the bank of Kentucky, at Louis /
vile, and 10 have been brought by private
CONVEYANCE. for them To PRINT 300 impres-
sions from the plates of that bank accom-
panied with mn order addressed TO the Cash
Ter OF the Union Bank IN New lorN, where
the plates were deposited. for their deiive-
~. On the back of the order was written
with pencil note from Mr. }. Scott stat
ing tbat he was the bearer of the letter, that
he called at the office but not finding
Messrs G.. d r. in he concluded to leave
itin their box, as he was in hurry TO go to
the east, and promising to call for the print
cd notes on his return. As Messrs Gurley
d. Burton were the engravers Of the plates,
and rs every thing about the order appear
ed fair. the idea of fraud did not enter their
minds. They procured the plates from the
Union Bank and printed the number OF I'M
prcssions directed Mr. Scott, however, did
do, make his appearance {; and several days
after the order was executed, at about
o'clock n, night. an individual presented
himself al the office. and stated that he had
been commissioned by Scott to call and get
the bills, rs the latter had been Unexpected
" detained IN Boston. Not lkcing the APP
pcarancc ofthis man (who afterwards prov
ed TO be Abraham Pitcher the package of
bills were not gwen up 10 bun.
The following day, "A gentleman in liud-
son stree, called on the President of the u
mon Bank. and informed him that his son
had formed connection with several men
who had involved him IN bad piece of bu-
siness but that he had become disguised
with il, and had confessed TO him the whole
aillir and named his accomplices. The
affair WINS nothing less than thc conspiracy
To obtain the printing of the bills OF the
Bank Of Kentucky which we have before
described. This confession led 10 the ar
rest of Pitcher, who the next day underwent
nm examination, aud stated that he knew Oh
bu, two others engaged in the TRANSACTIONS
one OF whom was Charles Stcarncs, who was
the principal. and young man whom he
had not seen, but whom Stearncs had des
cribed 10 him as rather dissiputcd young
man, who was IN the habit of frequenting
the pnblic houses adjacent 10 the Bowerl
theatre. who was so expert writer that he
could At a dash initiate the signature oil AM
man, however difficult; that this young ma!
wrote the letter to c. d b purportlng Il
come from the Bank of Lexington. Stearnc
being well known lhrouphoui the ctiy, an'
10 the police, the officers had no difficult
in finding hlm, and they arrested ham mex
night iu,t as he was entering his residence
in Amty street. lie also was subjected 4
an examination, IN which he declined an
swering any questions tending TO lmpl'oat
him IN tho forgery of the fictitious lette
from Lexington, or IN any connection o
knowledge Of 1t. He denied ever maxim
any such statements TO Pitcher Is that ind
yidual had disclosed, or having any know
edge of any such young man, an expel
writer, rs Pitcher had stated. The next oil
iert was 10 get hold ~ the Young penmaI
who had forged the order, OF whom PIicl
cr could give no other account than h
qualifications, Stcanes had stated Then
and Of whom S,earnes proieSsed proioun
ignorance By dlut OF inquiries "a the rig
ouarters. the officers became satisfied Tai
he could be no other than W. J. Ames,
Young man well known IN certain circle
who had formerly been clerk IN CONNIE
cial house M Broad street, bot more latter
an agent IN Booths livery stables; aud hi
they arrested Oh FRIDAY night, IN the lodi
ings OF hs mistress On searching him u
officers found in his pockets the original,
Siearnc's hand writing OF the orders on u
Union bank and on Gurley & Burton I
printing. which he had copied, together vi
a letter of introduction written for HIM
Stearnes To- one James Brown, at Akron, {
ho,highly recommending has business qua
ihcauons. &c. The letter also spoke
transactions 10 bonds, &c. amounting
near $4,000. IN which they appeared 10
mutual, in,eres,rd,and from which siearn
expressed coa6dence Of realizing 500
neat summer. II also spoke at large Of {,
cause Of the Csnadiaas patriots, espressii
the lull confidence oftbe wuter 10 their l
innate success, and authosians Brown
dr.U .tnou hfr, e. /. r IA nunf al arms Z.