The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-27
told A GOOD STORY.
No Wonder He Fooled the
Governor of Ten
neSSee.
sTODDARD'S CLEvEREsT FORGERY.
Text Of the Letter and Petition That
Secured Him a Pardon
Ingenuity and In
vention.
'sTODDARD'S CLEVEREsT FORGERY.


good haul In August last when they
pulled In Ed. Stoddard. alias John s.
Woods, alias John S. Wolfe, for forging
the name of John s. Wolfe, Pitts
field (Mass.) merchant, to a tele-
gram for money to the officers of
the Pittsfield National Bank, is
now clearly proven. Stoddard is
a good 'un. He came within an ace of
escaping through the meshes of Jersey
law. Chief of Police Murphy. however,
believed he had shrewd criminal with
a record, and he left nothing undone to
secure the prisoner.
Governor Buchanan of Tennessee is
quite anxious to get Stoddard back to
that State, and has made reQuisition upon
Governor Albeit for him. The warrant
for the rendition of Stoddard has been
signed by the Governor, but TO take effect
only when New Jersey is done with him.
Stoddard, under the name OF Henry B.
Davis, uttered o number Of worthless
checks in Nashville in May, 1890, and
was arrested, convicted and sentenced
to six years in prison. He was
defended by N. w. Baptist of tho
firm of Baptist 81 Beadley, He was sent
to Tracey City branch prison and put to
IA
In March OF this year he was pardoned
by Governor Buchanan upon recommen-
dation, and lett the State. The
letter which secured his release,
backed by a strong petition, pur-
ported to have been written BY Mr..
Baptist. Stoddard's counsel. Shortly
after Stoddard's release, Governor
Buchanan met Mr.. Baptist. He at
cnce said that he had complied with the
request Of counsel and pardoned Davis
Mr. Baptist somewhat astcnished the Gov
ernor by saying that he had never asked
him to pardon Davis. Investigation was
made which resulted in the discovery
that the entire petition and all the letters
accompanying it were forgeries.
Nothing was heard of Stoddard by the
Tennessee authorities, although they Of
fered 5000 reward for him. until his pict
ure was received by the police OF. Nash
vile from this city. It was at once identi-
fed as that of Davis Several indictments
were found against Stoddard for the bold
forgeries executed to obtain his pardon.
THE FIRST FORGERY.
The letter written by Stoddard in the
name of Mr.. Baptist Is marvel of in
genuity aud invention. 1t might have
deceived Justice with her eyes unband-
aged. 1t reads as follows:-
CovINaToN. Tenn, Marchs17. 1891
His Ercellen GU, John r. Buchanan, Governor,
HONORABLE SIR:-I herewith send petition
signed BY the leading citizens OF ofpfon county
fenced last June for forgery. / defended him.
and although public opinion was stro ngly In his
favor and belief in his innocence powerful the
evidence was SO direct and convincing the jury
could not do otherwise than find verdict Of
guilty.
was entirely satisfied of Davis in nocence
as he was young man of uncommonly good
record, and came from a family of fair name as
far back as can be traced. So positive was 1 in
my belief in his innocence and that he was the
victim of conspiracy that have never ceased
laboring to establish his innocence and extri-
cate him from his present unhappy condition.
My efforts have at last been rewarded and de-
Davis ought not TO spend another hour in
prison.
1888, leaving an estate valued at 100000. The
widow remained single until November, 1889,
when she married James Sheriff., who cared
nothing for her. He married her from purely
mercenary motives and bis influence over the
woman was powerful She gave him money
without stint which be squandered in Memphis
at gambling rooms and in houses of illfame.
Young Davis, the subject of the enclosed petit
Sheriff. and his designs on her property,
demonstrated with his mother and succeeded
in influencing her to deny the demands of his
Davis and determined to remove him from his
path. Stepfather Sheriff. Interested his brother
Samuel Sheriff. In a. plan to ruin
Davis, and they succeeded in placing in Davis
hands wort HESS checks which he negotiated.
The Sherrills then denied everything and se-
cured Davis arrest and conviction on perjured
evidence Quite recently the brothers Sheriff.
had falling out and Daniel accused James of
the Infamous part he actsd in sending Davis to
prison. So public were the ac-
cusations and denunciations of Step.
father Sheriff. that the citizens at once resolved
on securing Davis immediate release wanted
to get confession from Daniel but he and
James both fled. am determined to overhaul
them if it costs $4,000. l am going to send
James to prison Daniel will turn States evil
dence. As more than fifty of the citizens
heard Daniels statement against Davis step
father and his confession OF the entire innocence
OF Davis did not delay in forwarding the petit
tion to you that you might right great
wrong have recently secured division of
the Davis estate, and Henry's share Is some thing
like $37, 600, quite respectable sum for young
man to start in with Some of the property is
in Georgia. Walker county and has been in iiti-
cation some time, but have succeeded in se-
Davis When you release him, please request
his presence and hand him the en-
closed note to sign and mail to me
from Georgia. He understands this, as have
written him. Could not consistently send him
the note while in prison-'tis both professional
and confidential business, as you will observe.
to Nashville, perhaps to Georgia While
Davis may be desirous OF returning
to Tipton county, and his friends may be anx-
ious to have him,ft is important that he leave for
X
signature and there are several matters that re-
quire his personal attention. Apprise Nun of
tnis, please, and give him kindly ad-
monition and Godspeed. He has
some money with him. and should
he need more, and will be suitably clad, kindly
meet his needs aud 1 will send checks. He is a
Mason and member of the Alliance and his
brothers here are very anxious to hear of his
prompt release. l trust that the ac-
knowledgement of this letter will be The
news that Davis Is free. H. Is in Tcacy City.
Branch Prison, and hope will not be kept an
is granted. / expect, of course, he will come
out under a pardon. This will be entirely con-
sistent. No suit will be established, as the jury
did not find in accordance with the evidence.
The punishment of Sheriff. for perjury will
satisfy Davis and his friends, could have OBJ
county but concluded had a powerful petition.
The sgners are all first class citizens
and deeply interested in the matter
of Davis release. Justice demands his
immediate pardon and whatever l can do to
render your administration successful, and for
be done as you know, cheerfully. AS am very
busy trust this letter will save me trip to the
capital and that the prayer OF so many good
citizens will meet with aspeedy and fav oraby
res ponse should you write to me- direct TO
Peabody Hotel, Memphis. shall be in the cite
for the next ten days on civil suits. With best
wishes for your well being, am, sir,
Very respectfully and confidentially,
w. w. BAPTIST.
The petition reads as follows:-
To His Excellency, John p Buchanan, Governor
OF Tennessee
We. the up dersigned citizens of Upton coun-
ty. State of Tennessee. do hereby very urgently
and respectfully petition yonr Excel
lency TO release from the Penitentiary