The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-09-15

The Spectator In Mstrimsny An Old
Convict frOm the Auburn Prison.

Convict frem the Auburn Prison.
Richmond, Va, September 6.-The most
important development which has come 10
light in the case of the notorious polygamlst
and forger, Marvin, was discovered here to-
day. This man, whose remarkable criminal
career has made his name familiar
oil over this land, has always denied
that he had any connection with Marvin,
or WAS connected in any way with
any Of the numerous crimes of that no.
torious villain. To-day information WAS
received By Commonwealth Attorney White.
from Auburn prison, New York, that Mar
vin'a picture had been examined by one Of
tho keepers Of that institution, and that he
recognized it ss that Of I. A. Merritt, a man
with half dozen slisses, who ierved three
years term in the Auburn peniteniisry for
forgery committed on the National bank Of
Lookport, New York. Merritt was sent 10
Auburn in September, 1878. His description,
as appears from the hooks Of the
prison, ia sS follows: Five feet ten iuchei
10 height, fair complexion, blush gray ewes,
has stoop in the shoulders and weighs l49
pounds, part psrslysis Of the lower limbs,
on her right forearm ia tAtooed in India ink
M eagle, on tho left forearm an American
| ilsg. the staff OF which IL held in tho beak of
an eSge and beneath, the letters L. A. n.
On the back just beleS the napeof the neck
is mark made by n seton
Upon the receipt of this description of the
Auburn forgsr, Commemorative Attorney
Witt visited the Jail where Marvin is CON
fined, and requested the jsier to examine the
man whose exploit, in the marriage market
have made him go notorious. The prisoner
Was found quietly seated in his cell. When
informed by the officer that no wanted to
search him he made the most violent OPP
position, claiming that the officer had no
legal rights for proceeding in
such manner. The old man
was greatly disturbed and mani,
tested more nervousness than had been OBJ
served during his incarceration, Marvin
could not be prevailed upon to submit to
what he called sn indignity to Lis person,
until his custodian called TO his assistance
three brawny black negro prisoners. With
there standing ranged around him the
polygAmist was given the alternative OF
quietly submitting TO the operation or being
thrown down upon his back by the negroes,
stripped 10 the waist and forced 10 submit
to the search. When this phase of the case
WAS presented to him the old man submitted,
protesting al the same time against the
outrage, as no called it. His shirts were
removed and the marks tstooed in India
ink on both arma described by the
Auburn prison authorities were revealed.
The sagle on tho right arm was slightly
BACKED. An attempt had evidently been
made TO remove tho ink by some chemical
process, bus without success. On the bach
Of the neck, just below the naps, the isileI
found what he describes as birth-mark
about the size OF silver quarter. This il
probably what the Auburn prison officer
described rs aseton mark. The DESCRIPTION,
Of Merritt, theman who eeryed his term in thu
Auburn penitenitsry for forgery,and Marvin
the polygsmist, are identical. Every mari
said to have been on the person OF the for
mer was found on Marvin in the Richmond
jail. The authorities have nc doubt IS to TIT
identity of the man.