The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-25
RoWLAND'S FORGERY.
He Will Plead Guilty and Trust to the Lenien-
cy of the Court.

When George W. Rowland, alias Green, alias
Harris, came to the station-house Saturday night
under arrest for forging an order for money on
Middlesworth, Graybill g. Co., nothing could be
ascertaned from him relating to the crime.
Twenty-four hours Imprisonment, however, has
induced him to talk freely. Last night he said
to Journal reporter that he had concluded to
plead guilty.
1T is the only thing can do" he continued.
II have no witnesses, the money was
found me, and l cannot deny
the forgery. Mr.. Clark treated me
well and our business transactions were always
pleasant. The only object had in getting
money this way wac to buy stock, and if I sue
ceeded to at once turn over the amount due
Clark to him. / did not want to act mean
about the matter
He said that when he went to Illinois and
first met Clark he did not care to tell him the
true reason for leaving Virginia, and therefore
formed the story about shooting negro He
says there is no negro in the case.
why did you leave your home and take
another namei"
Il was indicted by the grand jury of Fred
erick county, in which live, about a quarter of
mile from Wadesville, for stealing three cows
They were found on my place, but how they got
there | do not know / admit that have done
some things not altogether right, but nothing of
the character the papers give me. When went
to Illinois assumed the name of Green, so l
could get letters from home without anyone
identifying me as Rowland; but before 1 left l
knew that some people there had a suspicion
that the name of Green was an alias
When l got the money Wednesday.
St Louis, but changed my route and went to
Covington, KY, where passed by the name of
Harris. did not buy stock there, because there
was none to be had. | then went to Lexington
money by trading Clark would have received his
money"
Were you in any other trouble in Virginia2r
Yes, there is another indictment against me
for stealing horse. sold it for fifty dollars.
| once had property worth &C. 900 or 81, 900, but
misfortune overlook me in the efforts of some
buyers in Virginia to ruin me- While in that
State farmed and bought stock for the Balt-
more markets. This trouble will kill my wife,
who is an excellent woman. l am in terrible
state of remorse, and wish had not forged the
order"
Have you had other dificultiesr
Eyes. At one time a lot of sheep were missing
and, although they were found on another mans
farm, was arrested, but bad the matter settled,
showing my innocence. Don't you think the
best course for me to take is to plead guilty,
since have no means of defense or money to
employ lawyer"
Eyes. Can you give me any other points con-
corning your Virginia careera"
mo; except to deny emphaticaly the charge
of my being desperate Since left the army
Il was In Ashbys cavalry-I have never carried
revolver. have an old one at home but it is
never used: Do you think they will let me write
TO my wfel"
Eyes. Is that all you can tell?''
II have given you everything relating to my
past troubles l have been in need of money
and when l went to Illinois did not have a cent
Mr.. Clark took me in and gave me a half interest
in his stock transactions"
Rowland is fifty two years of age and believes
that full confession will secure him leniency
from the court, but at the same time he has an
anxious interest in the Virginia indictments
since he repeatedly asked the question, if they
could stop the prosecution here and send him
back to Winchester. He will take punishment
for forgery but is fearful to the cases against
him elsewhere.