Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-01-02
MY NAME Is WEBSTER.
A Man Who is Anxious to Have Term
in Sing Sing.

A Man Who is Anxious to lave Aefh
in Sing Sing.
[From the New York Journal.l
A most remarkable case of self-incar-
ceration has been furnished by A. r.
Webster, a gentleman for whom the po-
lice have been looking in vain for years.
Webster distinguished himself In
criminal annals by the skillful manner
in which he executed q number of bogus
land sales in New York and elsewhere.
He was at one time the proprietor of
savings bank IN Philadelphia, but his
rascality was detected before he had
done much harm, He then betook him.
self to New Orleans, and having, IN
some mysterious way, possessed himself
OF considerable money, managed to en-
ter the best society of the southern me-
tropOlis. He was a fluent converse
tionalist IN the French, German, Italian
and Spanish languages, and spoke Eng
hsh without the slightest suggestion of
foreign accent. His manly bearing, en-
gaging manners and handsome face
made him favorite everywhere, and ru
NOR had 1t that he came near to marry
ing the beautiful granddaughter of Mrs.
Myra Clarke Gaines. A difficulty over
card table, which led to challenge,
accelerated the departure of the willy
Webster, and the fashionable circles of
New Orleans knew him no more. In the
early spring of 1881 Webster descended
upon New York City, and at once began
the practice OF his misdeeds. For Civ
ing John Breen a fraudulent deed for
four lots in Brookhaven, Suffolk Ooun-
ty, l.. l., and pocketing the purchase
money, he was sentenced to eighteen
months in the state prison. Suisse
Quently the case was taken on writs of
error to the supreme court and court of
appeals, where the conviction was af-
firmed
When the decision of the higher court
was announced Webster was non est in
Yentus, and his bondsmen squandered
considerable money In their futile eff
forts to bring him back to the city.
Communications were had with the po-
lice Of distant cities, and the best detec-
tive talent In the country was employed
to ferret out his Whereabouts. At last
the conclusion was reached that Web
ster had committed suicide, and when
he turned up at the gate of Sing Sing
prison yesterday, and demanded to be
admitted, the warden laughed at him.
"Come, come" said Webster, in an
imperious tone. 81 don'twant any non
sense. My name is Webster, and l was
convicted over two years ago. Let me
IN, for this is my home.
" You had better take my advice, "
said the warden, and go home. IF you
don't want to put yourself into trouble"
Let me IN, I say" persisted Web
ster. 81 am prisoner, tell you, and
I've as much right in this place as you
have"
$50 home. man; this is not a Iunatic
asylum"
And the warden closed the door upon
his singular visitor.
Webster came to New York at once,
and IN the afternoon called upon Sheriff
Davidson.
''My name is Webster" said he.
''Ah, said the polite sheriff, struck
by the gentlemanly appearance and bear
ing of his visitor, 6" what can I do for
you, sir ?"
And Sheriff Davidson offered him
chair.
81 beg your PARDON" said the man,
$ but you evidently mistake my charac-
ter. a few years ago I could have ac-
cekted your hospitality, but things have
81 don't understand you" said Sher-
iff Davidson.
81 am a convicted feIon, si.. Nv
name is A. r. Webster, and I desire to
surrender myself into the hands of JUS
tice."
"Look out, /" whispered one of Sheriff
Davidson's clerks. s'That mans crazy,
and the first thing you know he'll lab a
carving knife into you"
The sheriff W2s on his guard at once.
but, at the same time, continued to
treat his visitor with the utmost suavity.
"Ihope you will excuse me, said the
sheriff, "for am very busy to-day. If
you will drop IN later In the week, how
ever, will only be too happy to accom-
modate you"
Webster looked about for a moment
the picture of blank establishment, and
then walked outside.
Thank goodness, he is gone at last, 7"
exclaimed Sheriff Davidson. CT had
trouble with lunatic once, and I don't
want any more. L would be willing to
bet $50 that he's some crank who has
been sent here by Charlie Brooke.
Well, soliloquised Webster, when
he had reached City Hall Park; SO if ever
I got among funnier set of people in
all nv life. Here have come all the
way from San Francisco, and offer to
give myself mp, and yet none of these
fellows will have anything to do with
me. There must be an epidemic of in
sanity all over the state. y
Webster walked YEARLY over to the
court of general sessions, took a seat
among the lawyers, and, by way of
scraping an acquaintance, bowed TO
Clerk Sparks and the interpreter, both
Of whom bowed politely in return.
That's funny" thought Webster.