The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-28
C0NrESSES HIS GUILT.
CHARLES WOODRUFF A FoRaER ON
a Superb SCALE.
Ho Acknowledge Tha. Ho Has Carried
on iIis Criminal Work for SIX Years.
and Has Forged Notes to tho
Amount of- $500, 900.

NV BUrAiN, Conn, April q. 90 Charles
T.. Woodruff, formerly secretary of the
Young Mems Republican Club and City
Clerk, has confessed that he has uttered
forged papers TO the extent OF $4,000
His victims are the First National and
the Mechanics Banks Of this city, tho
ihrcc leading banks Of Middlctown and
banks In New Haven and Meridcn. Just
d how buch each oi these banks will lose is
unknown Tho banks here are out about
$1,000 Woodruff has pracliccd forgery
for nearly six years according 10 hs own
confession, during which time he has
= forged notes 10 the extent of SjO0,0O0. OF
this amount ho has managed. without be-
ing discovered, 90 make good all but tho
sum above mentioned.
Tho other day Woodruff forged tho In
dorcncni Of L. Woodruff, oi berlin, 10 a
note for 500. Tho bank questioned It's
grnuincncss ON the ground that Mr. h.
Wuodrun WIS In California and had been
there all winter. Woodruff promised 10
make good the amount 10 the bank but
luiIcd 10 d1 so Ito was then confronted
with hcr lufgoncs aud under great pres
suru was made 90 cUnlcsi his guilt. Among
the names tuc t1rgcr has used ARE those OF
leading business men OF this aud nrighbor-
ing dic4 Woodruff was arrested and
brought into Police Court today aud held
unlcr sl2,UJJ bail Tor trial. lie went to
iail.
When Woodruff started The Hcraid
about six years ago he had no capital, and
depended upon his friends TO help him
along Altcr while hc became tired Of
the dependence, aud sought some way by
which hc could escape from his obligation
10 thcui. twas then that lac turned his
attention 10 specializing in real estate. lilo
bought valuable lot on Church street for
5000, upon which hC paid q few hundred
dollars aud gave bis note for the rcman-
der lie then secured loan OF $1,000
upon ilis snmo property, which he forth
with expended la laying the 10 undalions
lor large block. which hc subsequently,
erected. Tho difficulty which he expert
curcd IN securing money TO complete tho
work induced him o. take hiA first false
ficp. lie Issued notes indorscd apparently
by leading business men. These he kept
a careful accountoi and as iistas they came
due be- paid them with money which he had
procured through the issue Of other notes
10 other persons. Tic had an intimate
friend Ia the person Of A. J. sleeper,
cashier Of the Fin, National hank, and
because OF this acquaintance he was able
70 secure Letters OF introduction TO banks
in Mcfidcn, Middleton and Hartford,
from which ho secured loans. In October,
1887, when he sold tue Hfrdd 10 the pres
ont owners, Mcsfs. blanchard 4 Vance,
the latter member Of Congress from this
district. Woodruff had out over 100000
In forged notes. upon which lac was paying
SiO0a week interest," from that date until
the present week he hns uttered, accord
ing To his own admission, nearly 100000
of bogus notes and check. tits said that
there Is not man IN the city OF New
Britain who Is known as a money lender
who hasno held some Ci his forged paper.
Such was the skill with Which he initiated
the signatures OF bank officials and others
upon bis rnpcr, that the most experienced
eye could not distinguish the genuine
from lhc false.