Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-14
COLONEL CROSS, THE FORGER.

A SLIPPERY CUSTOMER. he ESCAPED.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin, Aug. 4
Between 9 and 10 clock this morning. Mr.
John Porter, tipstave in the Court Of Quar-
ter Sessions, was directed by the Court to pro-
cesd 10 MOyamensing prison and bring up Col
james Buchanan Gross, the celebrated forger
for the purpose Of sentencing him. The tip
stsve procured chaise No. POS, Miles Pryor,
driver, aud proceeded to the prison in accord
sR1e with his instructions Cross was duly
handed over 10 the officer, and after he was
placed in his custody, third party was per-
mitted to hold r conversation with him, which
the officer did not hear Mr. Porter and his
prisoner then got into the chaise, and they
were driving along Psssyunk road, at Prime
street, when Cross remarked that he expected
10 be sent 10 Cherry Hill, and he would like o
stop first at his old lodgings, at the southwest
corner of MOyamensing avenue and Washing
ton avenue for the purpose of locking mp his
trunks. Mr.. Porter says that he demurred TO
this proposition, but at length consented TO
the arrangement, and the chsse was accord
ingly driven 10 Miller's tavern, at the spot
named Crsss and the officer proceeded uF
stairs 10 the third story, and they entered =
room which was darkened. The prisoner al
luded TO this fact, and requested the officer to
open the shutter. While the latter was
Obiigiugly doing this, Cross bO!ted out Of the
room locked the door upon the outside, ran
down the stairs, and scaling the fence, leaped
into light wagon that was In waiting, and
was driven of by man already in the vehicle
as fast as the horse could carry him. The Of
fcer, upon finding himself outwitted, kicked
out panel of the door and followed the fugi-
tive. On the stairs he met woman, and upon
getting into the yard he saw a chair, by the
aid Of which Cross had scaled the fence Mr.
Porter reached the street in time TO see the
wagon with the fugitive going of in a sOutherly
direction. The discounted officer came up TO
the city, and having lodged information at
the Central station, the telegraph was put into
requisitlOn, and scouts were sent out to inter
cept the fugitive, if possible Cross is a shrewd
fellow, and the officers will experience some
trouble in tracing him out.
The fugitive Is celebrated in his line of busi-
ness. He cut great dash in Paris a few years
since, and obtained the means Of doing il by
an extensive series Of forgeriSs and swindling
On his return to the United States he organ
lIsd series Of fOrgeries by which parties in
Philadelphia, New York and Boston were
heavily bled. With the fruits Of these misdeed
he was living the life OF a nabOb in a south
western city, with his fast woman valet &c
when he was arrested and brought to Philadel-
phia Tor trial. He wss cunning enough to
cover up his traces, and he escaped conviction
Recently he was convicted Of forging check
the Consolidation Bank in the name of Mr
Crawford, and he was TO have been sentenced
to-day. DE Is a stout, gOOd-lOOking man,
dresses with good taste, and has a gentlemanly
bearing and prepOssessing manners, which aid
him greatly in his rascally operations. 0ficer
Porter was suspended from duty for his care
lessnesS IN the matter.