The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-06-08
Adroit.ess i. RascaIitv.

Adroitacss in Rascality.
There is science even nyillainy. as the
following, from tee Pittsburg Post, of
Thursday, will abundantly show:
The readers of the daily papers have,
no doubt, read an account Of the conspiracy
case, which has recently been disposed of
in Easton, in this State. The facts of the
case were somewhat singular, and very
spicy. A rich old man, with a tender
leaning toward the gentler sex, was in
weighed by one of the conspirators into an
intrigue with woman--the old gentleman
was astounded in delicate situation By
the NAL apropos appearance of brother of
the lady, whose injured honor could on
ly be appeased by the old gents note for
$1,000 This note was sold to a couple
of brokers in Easton, by the originator of
the scheme, who wanted ready money
Unfortunately for the speculators, the old
gentleman recovered his senses, had the
parties arrested-brokers and all-tried,
and they are now in the Eastern Peniten
tiary. We have referred to this case
merely to introduce to our readers GER
tain Mr. Stevenson, whose connection with
it as the concocter of the scheme seems
merely to be piece ofknavery which his
former life eminently fitted him for.
In 1845-'46, Stevenson was keeping q
dry goods store in Burgettstown, Wash
ington county. He forged letter of cred
it, while there, on firm, we believe in
this city; he was tried and convicted Of the
crime at the Washington Country Court
of Quarter Sessions, and, Notwithstanding
great intersct manifested in his behalf, was
sentenced to the Western Penitentary, and
served out his year. He engaged in var
ious speculations after getting out of the
Penitentiary, but nothing remarkable un-
til 1850, when he forged check, in the
name of a wealthy farmer residing in
Virginia, on the Steubenyille Bank. On
this check he obtained 81, 400. He was
arrested, and tried for the forgery four
times, but on each trial the jury were dis
charged, being unable to agree. This
was brought aboutin very simple manner,
viz: by proving an altbi. The day on
which Stevenson presented the check to
the Band in Steubenville, his name was
entered on the register of Browns Hotel,
in this city, by somebody. On his trial,
the register was produced, leaving to the
jury the very natural inference that he was
in the city on the day he was charged with
presenting the check. Anyhow, the jury
couldn't think to tconyicta nice young man,
who graced pair Of gold spectacles, with
such reverend appearance as Stevenson.
Afer the fourth trial, Stevenson was dis
charged. His next feat was extortlng
from the persons whose names he had for
ged to the check, the sum of two hundred
dollars, by threats that he would burn
their property, unlesss the money was
furnished.
This region of country growing too hot
for him, Stevenson left Out of his specula-
ton at Easton he has made fat job--one
worth, to him years residence in the
Penitentiary. On coming to trial there,
he plead guilty, and served as States
evidence against his companions in the
scheme. Many persons think, and we
cannot help coinciding with them, that
Stevenson used Eastan men, instead of he
being their dupe, as it was made manifes4
by himself on their trial.
Stevenson presents a fine appearance.
He cultivates pious look, wears gold
speetecles, is "good" either at a sermon,
temperance lecture, or a swindle.