The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-14
Charged with Forgery.

| 4 Il - 49,
Augusta National Bank of Staunton, received
telegram from the Cashier of the Marine
National Bank of Baltimore, asking IT the
check of N. Wayt & Bro, was good for SOU
Mr.. Tams at once wired that it was, Messrs
Wayt & Bro. being one of the most prominent
and substantial firms OF Staunton. The mex
morning Mr.. Tams happened to meet DIR
Wayt and casually mentioned the telegram
Dr. W. not remembering such check, exam
ined the check book and found that no entry
it a forgery, and Mr. Tams Immediately tele
graphed the fact. BY Saturdays mail the
Augusta National Bank received check fol
$75, drawn in favor OF j. EdHin Laird, and
| signed by G. G. Goocl Beneath the sigma
ture were the words, Correct, w. l.. Iams
Cashier" This check was at once pro
nounced II forgery and the Baltimore Bank
from which it had been received notified
About the same time the Augusta Bank re-
ceived from one of its customers, Mr.. Var
brough. OF Milboro, II check drawn in iavoi
OF Laird for 1850, having to it the name OF
DR.. Patterson. of Monterey. The check was
drawn on the National Valley Bank. The
| Augusta Bank sent it to the National Val
there it was returned to the Augusta, and
there protested This also turned out to be
II forgery.
The Baltimore Sun of Tuesday contained
the following special which explained som,-
thing of Laird's career in Maryland, and also
the disposition made OF the N. Wayt & Bro
check
FREDERICK, MD, Sept ll.-A young man
| OF progressing appearance and neatly attired
arrived in his city yesterday on horseback
and registered at the City Hotelas j L. Pruyn,
Nj. ID, of Atlanta Ga. During the afternoon
he hired buggy and harness from the livery
stable OF Chns f. Mealy TO make trip to
Middletown. Shortly after his departure a
telegram was received from Marshal John
I. Gray, OF Baltimore, containing de-
scriptOn OF a horse said to have been stolen
from Peter d. Pollard's stables on Saturday,
and requesting the arrest of the alleged
thief. Circumstances excited the belief that
Pruyn WAS the man wanted, and he was ac-
cOrdingly followed and to-day unprecedented
in Burkellsville, about six miles distant from
Middletown. He offered no resistance, calm
~ all, ging that he had purchased the horse,
and had therefore nothing TO fear. Tie was
brought to Frederick this evening and taken
before Justice Turner, 10 whom he gave his
name as James e Ponyer Laird, OF Atlanta,
Ga. He offered no defense, and said he de-
sired no counsel. After hearing the testimony
OF several witnesses he was committed into the
hands of Detective Greentree, of Baltimore,
and taken to that city IL is charged he went
to Mr. Pollard and negotiated the purchase of a
horse and gave in payment a check for $3.50
ON bank in Staunton, Va, in the name OF N.
Wayl " Bro. Teleguphlc inquiry, it is al
legged, revealed the fact that it was Il forgery
The horse he secured from Mr.. Pollard and
the one used by Detective Greenlree in his pur-
suit OF Laird will be sent to Baltimore to-day.
The commitment of Laird authorized Sheriff
Barrck, OF FREDERICK county, to deliver him to
Sheriff Hunter, OF Baltimore, and the detective
acted us the officer in making the delivery.
Mr.. Meale, also preferred charge OF felony
| against Laird.
The accused, whose real name is ]. Edward
Laird. is a native of Alabama, but for the past
year or so has been residing in Staunton,
| where he had relatives among the best people
of our city. He attcnded school for one session,
but for the past year has been doing nothing.
He lived extravagantly, having a perfect pas
sion for hiring livery stock. With Il free hand
he spent money, borrowing wherever he could,
and seemingly reckless as to how it went
when once IN his hands. Several weeks ago
he purchased horse of Mr.. IL. st. G. Tucker,
promising to pay Tor him in day or two.
Before the pay day came, he went off to the
Rockbridge Alum Springs, taking the horse
with him and subsequently selling him. At
the Springs he carried things with a high
hand, keeping suite of rooms at both the
Rock Alum and Cold Sulphur and spending
his time and money between the two places
He passed himself off as q doctor, and it is
sail was called to render medical attention in
several cases. Whilst at the Springs he passed
Dr. Patterson's check for 1880 to Mr.. Var
borough. From the Springs he went to
Washington, where he registered as an NJ. D.
From Washington he lie supposed to have gone
to Baltimore, the scene Of his more extended
exploits.
Laird was never regarded as very bright
His conduct is Staunton was by no means cal
culated to favorably impress the community
He had no business qualifications whatever
and seemed averse to doing anything in the
way of work. The certificate of the Cashier
on the Gooch check showed that he was en-
tirely ignorant of banking rules. and how any
bank could have been imposed upon by such
u piece of paper is a mystery. Laird is an ex-
celent penman, and his imitation of Mr.
Gooch's signature was very good, but his
forgery of the cashiers signature was poor.
The fact too that the supposed certificate OF
the cashier was Immediately under the sigma
ture to the check, and was in these words
correct, w. P. Tams, cashier, ought to have
rendered the check suspicious. The accused
hiss been committed for October of the GRIM
| inal court of Baltimore.
Gnnroma Court If Annaa1a