Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-28
A SUCCESSFUL RUSE.
ONE OF THE BoLpEsr AND CLEVER
EST EVER DEVISED.
How IL victimized a Governor and Sc.
cured Liberty for Its Convict In
vcntor.-A Romance.
IBy telegraph to tho pispa,cn.l

tby telegraph to the Dspatcn.l
JERSEY Cry. N. j., October GA
new and most remarkable feature in the
case of Charles b. Stoddard, now con-
fined in tho Hudson county jail for
forging checks, has Just come to light.
"A little less than two years ago Stod-
dard, then masquerading under the
namo OF Henry b. Davis, was convicted
OF a similar offence in Nashville and was
sent to the Tracy City branch prison in
tennessee to serve term of six years.
lie was put to work in the mines. This
year. however, he obtained his freedom
10y one of the boldest and most in
genious ruses that criminal ingenuity
ever devised. The discovery of the
fraud has led Governor Buchanan. Of
tennessee, to make a requsition on
Governor Albeit, Of New Jersey, in
order that the prisoner may be tried for
the crime by which he secured his lib
erty.
STORY OF THE FRAUD.
1t appears that Governor Buchanan
O few months ago received a petition
purporting TO be signed by fifty Of the
leading residents Of Covington asking
for Stoddard's release, accompanied by
letter presumably signed by n. W.
Babtist, of the firm of Babtist & Beadle.
reputable and well-known attorneys of
that place. This letter weaves a story
of romance about Stoddard, or Davis,
as he was known in the Tennessee
prison, and recites in great detail how
he was the victim of conspiracy
planned and engineered by a
wicked and avaricious stepfather
named James Sheriff., and abetted by
the latter's wicked brother. This step
fathers cruel conduct, the letter al
legged, drove the prisoner to dissipation
and the step-father by fraud had him
convicted of forgery so that he might
enjoy the estate of Davis's mother
some 100000 Babtist is made to say
that he had secured division Of Shei-
rill's estate which would give the pris-
oner the snug sum of $4,000 to begin
life anew with.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
The letter also stated that a note Of a
confidential character had been sent the
Governor to hand to Stoddar1 because
the lawyer could not consistently hand
it to him, and then continued "Give
him kindly admonition and God-speed.
He has some money with him. and
should he need more and not be suitably
clad kindly meet his needs and | will
send check. He is q Mason and mem
Der of the Alliance, and his brothers
here are very anxious to hear of his
prompt release. | trust that the ac-
acknowledgement of this letter will be the
news that Davis is free"
EVERYTHING "FIRsT-CLAss."
After this charming bit of nairete,
which paved the way for Stoddard to
fitch money and suit of clothes from
the Governor, the unique document says
that Davis and his friends will be sat
listed with the punishment of Sheriff.,
and that the signature of every citizen in
Upton county could have been obtained
to the petition. 1.-THE signers, " it goes
on to say, care all first-class citizens and
deeply interested in the matter of Davis
release. Justice demands his immediate
pardon, and ask it as personal favor.
and whatever | can do to render your
administration successful. and for your
future Advancement in political life. will
be done, as you know, cheerfully."
THE FORGED NAMES.
The signatures attached to the petition
include the names Of $. L. Cockroft,
Attorney General T. ID. Flppen,
Judge of the Circuit Court; Daniel H..
Smith, sheriff Of Upton county, and
many others, including the law firm of
Babtist e. Beadlo, to which the writer OF
the letter was supposed to belong. Stod-
dard was duly released, and the Gov
ernor only discovered the fraud when he
spoke to one Of the supposed signers OF
the petition, who denounced the whole
thing as fraud. Stoddard's trial will
come off in few days and under the
laws of New Jersey he can be sent to
State prison for ten years. After that
he can be sent to Tennessee, but not be-
fore.