The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-20
Rare Bit of Criminal History.
COLONEL CROSS SECURES HIS OWN
PARDON BY FORGED PAPERS.
UNPARALLELED SKILL IN CHIROG-
RAPHY.

From the Philadelphia North American of Saturday.
The Gnesse and strategy of Monroe Eds
wards and other noted criminals are matters
of police history. The Eastern Penitentiary
holds an occupant 10 the person of Colonel
Gross, who has proved himself the Napoleon
of his profession-the brightest star in the
constellation of forgers and bogus financiers
who have figured in the history of crime.
Of Colonel Gross exploits the tenth part
has not been told. 1t was be who forged
a pardon for the forger, Huntingdon, by
which that distinguished culprit almost es-
capped from Sing Sing prison, and but for the
hesltancy OF the warden, would have been
let again loose upon the community. Cap.
tured himself at last, and immured in Au.
burn N. Y. State) Colonel Cross forged
documents by which a genuine pardon was
obtained, and his liberation secured before
the fraud was detected and his person de-
tanned in custody.
The history of this illustrious culprit is
to we'll known to be here repe tied, as far as
his career 10 this city is concerned. Suffice
it to say that on Wednesday Marshal Mill
werd received an envelope from the War
Department. The envelope bore the frank
OF Secretary Stanton, and was postmarked
Washington. The enclosure was a letter
from Mr.. Watson, Assistant Secretary of
War, directing the Marshal personally to
draw up petition to the Governor asking
for the pardon of Colonel Gross. He was
to take the petition to the various United
States officials for signature, and having
obtained the pardon, to bring Colonel Gross
to Washington, where his services were re-
qnired by the Government.
The document was to the eyes of the
Marshal Enthusiastically genuine. The sher-
id would have hung any prisoner in his
charge upon similar warrant, and the
warden OF the Penitentiary, upon taking
authority, would have opened the doors Of
"boarders' house," and turned all hands
loose. The Marshal, of course, obeyed in>
structions. He drew up the petition, and
District Attorney Cofey. the Collector OF
the Port, and all the United States officials,
except the Postmaster, who was not in the
city, affixed their signatures to it without
the least hesitation, after first reading the
letter from the War Department.
Marshal Millward took the documents to
Harrisburg, and returned by next train
with full pardon. He took carriage di
rect for the penitentiary, and presented the
pardon to the warden. The genuine ness OF
this document being beyond peradventure,
Colonel Gross was delivered up. The IT,
dings were conveyed to him in his cell,
much to bis apparent establishment, and
with bag over his head be was brought
out to the Warden's Office. Here he was
dressed in the clothes in which he entered
the prisou, his striped livery was taken off,
and in company with the Marshal and a
deputy, be was driven to the Baltimore de-
pot, The Marshal still "froze" to him, the
instructions being to bring him to Secreta-
ry Stanton.
The trip to Washington was made with
out mishap, and the Marshal, his assistant
and Colonel Gross drove up to the Secre.
tary's office. They alighted and entered
TIE Marshal asked for MIR. Stanton, and
was shown into his room. Misunderstanding
all around until Col. Gross was reached.
Mr.. Secretary" said the Marshal, "this
is Colonel Cross, whom you have sent for.'
Glad to see Colonel Cross-how Go you
Go, sir 2" said the affable Secretary, shak'
ing Colonel Cross hand /; 'but l can't re-
member sending for you, SIR
"This," said the Marshal, sis Col. Cross
whom brought down by your orders from
the Eastern Penitentiary at Philadelphia
"Sir?" exclaimed the Secretary, in utter
surprise.
Colonel Cross, sir, l said, pardoned by
Governor Curtin from the Eastern Peniten.
tiary, at your desire. and brought here by
me at your request
Secretary Stanton looked puzzled and
rubbed his temples.
"The authority by which have acted,
said the Marshal, sis this" placing in Sec
rotary Stanton's hand the letter from Mr..
Watson bearing his own frank.
Mr.. Stanton took the envelope with be-
wildered air. 1t was a genuine War De-
partment envelope. The frank was identl-
cal with his own. The enclosure was az
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