The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-09-02
CAPTURED AT LAST.
A Canton FOrger Caught After TIVE
Years Chase.

AoAEb Ohabos
An important arrest was made In
Cleveland yesterday of fOrger for whom
the Canton police have been on the look
out for two years. The man arrested Is
named William Stahl, and the story OF
bis crime, as CLEANED this morning by a
DEMOCRAT reporter, is as follows:
1t Is now just about two years ago that
man named Joseph KrOft came TO Can
ton from Iowa. He had $500 with him
which he deposited In the City National
Bank, and received Q certificate Of de-
pOsit for 1t. After staying In this city
a short time he went to Cleveland. In
that city he secured draft drawn by
the Cleveland National Bank on the
First National Bank Of New York. This
draft was dated August %, 1884. Kroft
then returned to Canton and deposited
an additional $25 in the City National
Bank, receiving the customary certi6-
cate, shortly after which he went to
Wellsvllle, COlumbiana county, where
he started In to work on the Cleveland
& Pittsburg railroad at his trade, of
wooden bridge building
Two years previous to KrOft's appear
ance In Canton, there arrived here a
man, who gave his name as Joseph
KrOft. He boarded at q house on South
Walnut street. In the same house
boarded Mr.. Andrew j. Campbell, paper
hanger for the firm OF Durbin, Wright
& Co., who became we'll acquainted with
the man giving his name as KrOft.
This man too went to WellsVille to live,
and meeting there the genuine KrOft
changed his name to William Stahl.
The two men boarded at the same house
In Wellsvllle and occupied the same
room. One day while Kroft was absent
al work, Stahl stole from his trunk the
two certificates of deposit on the City
National Bank and the draft on the First
National Bank Of New York, and came
to Canton with them. He went to the
City National Bank and eAdeaV0red TO
get the paper cashed giving bis name
as Joseph KrOft, but the officials at the
bank refused to cash them until he was
identified. Stahl stepped over to Dur
bin, Wright & Co.'S. and requested Mr..
Campbell to go over to the bank and
identify him as Joseph Kroft. This N.
Campbell inn0cently did, never know
ing Stahl by any other name than Jos
eph KrOft, and Stahl succeeded in draw
ing the money on the paper. He then
Immediately left the city.
When the rightful Joseph KrOft at
Wellsville returned to his boarding
house and discovered the theft Of his
certificates and draft he at once tele.
grsphed to the City National Bank here
not to cash them, but 1t was
too late, ss the money had been paid,
and Stahl was not to be found.
KrOft then came on to Canton, and EN-.
plOying G. G. Upham, Esq, as his at
tOrney, sued the City National Bank In
Common Pleas court and recovered his
money, amounting 10 $500.
Ever since that time the police have
been on the lookout for Stahl, but have
never succeeded In catching him until
yesterday, although several trips to dis
tant cities have been made after him.
The story of his capture is told as fol-
lows in this mornings Plain Dealer:
The following telegram was received
yesterday by Superintendent OF Police
schmitt from Canton:
"HOld William Stahl and charge him
with forgery on the City National Bank
of Canton. Have warrant and will come
In morning. CHARLES SCHLAGLE."
The above dispatch was an answer to
one sent by the superintendent, asking
whether such man was wanted In
Canton.
As Officer Schneider was pstTollng the
market house beat Friday noon he was
accosted by stranger, who said:
"There goes man who has been
wanted In Canton for two yesrB for
Schneider Immediately placed the
person desigG ated under arrest and
taking him to the central police
station charged him with suspicion.
The crime for which Stahl is
wanted was committed over two years
ago. He then stole 5000 In notes, and
forging the Dsyee's name got the notes
cashed In Canton. Since that time his
have been unknown. Late
in the evening several Young men call
cd at the central police station and en-
ieavored to bail Stahl out, bat the lieu.
tenant refused to let him 90. They say
that 1t Is impossible that Stahl can be
the man as he has lived o most exem-
Dlary life for several years st Carlisle,
o., and has recently married charming
young lady there.