The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-08-15
A LIFE OF crime.
Wolfe's Skeletons Laid
Bare at Last by
Justice.
THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THEM.
Romantic Story Of the Mans Career
-0nce a British officer, But
Always a CroOk-Fertile
in Expedients.


City Prison, proves to be a notorious
character. The first real clue the police
got to his identity was uneousciously
furnished by himself. All the papers
found upon him tended to show that he
was New England man. A description
of the man, with a photograph, was ac-
cordinRlv sent to every police station from
Connections to Maine. The investment
bore fruit and the prisoner weakened
when confronted with the evidence. But
he only did so when the Chief told him
HIS correct name. told him where he was
born. the crimes he had committed and
the name OF his accomplice. which Is
withheld at present in the interest OF the
detectives. who are now on his track.
This is the story OF the mans career as
CLEANED from tslegrams aud letters the
Chief seized from those with whom he
had communicated. Eighteen years ago
wealthy contractor and civil engine er
went to Chcopee, Mass. to construct a
bridge across the Connecticut River. He
had a son about nineteen years old
about the same age as Stoddard, whom
he selectedas chum. BOth,were wild and
reckless young fellows. Their fast career
led the young son of the contractor to
AOtk 10 MS 4dtLCE udfut AOf
SUNS OF money. Finding the police on
his track the contractors sou fed to
England. purchased a commission in the
English army, where he was heard from
few years afterward. The father Of
this wayward boy died about two years
after his sons fight. Before diving be
made will. appointing a certain ply
sician and the wild boys mother execu-
| tors Of his estate, end stipulating tn at
certain stipend should be paid the son
semi-annually. Sbonld the son reform
| he was to receive a very large sum Of
money. Two years ago the executors
| lost track of him.
MOTHERS QUEST.
In June last the widowed mother re-
| ceived word that her son was in Jail in
! Connecticut. charged with the crime of
| forgery. The mother sent lawyer to
the town, and by indemnifying property
| owners secured bail for the sons release.
| The lawyer was instructed TO take the
son back to the mother, as she was
| still half heartbroken. Bat the released
| prisoner skipped away from the lawyer,
| and no more was known of him until ne
| read the account of Woods arrest in this
| city. and concluded he was the prodigal
| son again in trouble. The guardian came
on to this city last week to see the
| prisoner and failed TO identify MIN. The
| guardian said he might be niistaken, as
he hadn't seen him in eighteen years"
| The frown which had gathered on the
| prisoners face when Chief Murphy first
began his story suddenly gave way to a
smile OF light and triumph as the Chief
reached this portion of the story.
''That's very nice story, Chief very
pathetic, and told in a capital manner. So
you think"
Don't be too fast" laconically re-
marked the Chief Don't you thiak for
a moment believe you are the prodigal
| SON
The prisoners face frowned darklv.
"But you know him. and he drew those
| checks found in your possession when
yon were arrested in this city. You are
| Edward L. Stoddard of Chicopee, Mass,
the chum of that prodigal son. 1t was
| you who imposed on that heart broken
mother, and you know his whereabouts
now"
For the first time since his arrest the
/ prisoner threT off his mask of suayity
that has served him IN so many conf
dence games. His brow was black and
his eyes cleaned with fierce passion.
| Approaching the Chief, he said excit-
1 edly:-
"How do you know 'all this How do
know who forged those checks?"
| Evidently he imagined that his part
| ner mad peached. The Chief simply
| answered.
A BODY BLOW.
| 81 was bound to find out who you were.
4 The Executor OF the prodicRl contractors
I
| tify you, but he recognized the signatures
to those checks"
The Chief tnen confronted him with
| some documents. They were kilograms
! from Chief of Police Benjamin Eddinger
| of Boston. and q letter which the Boston
| Chief of Police had sent on TO Chief Muir
| ply concerning the letter. The letter
/ was written with lead pencil
OF several sheets of paper,
| with printed headings showing they had
4 b, off Of l,fl In
spector Clarke. The letter, directed TO
| Belle Duncan, of North Brookiield,
| Massachusetts,, read as follows
DEAR SIsTER-I am under arrest for forgery.
Was arrested last Wednesday. Have mother
send me by express 500 to save me from prison.
4 This sum will be necessary. Don't permit her
| 10 refuse am here under the naHle Of John ).
| Wolfe. Let it come at once, Final hearing
our family name, and have, therefore, gwen a
| fictitious one. Am awfu.ly worried and almost
/ from Brookfeld 90 to Worcester and send II.
| Give my love TO my dear mother, and save me
| from prison Don't one OF you write me a word,
/ as the authorities here Would ind out my name
/ and who my people are. Ny dear sister
/ see that this money IS forwarded at once
/ was on here buying some horses for a railroad
company when Twas suddenly and wrongfully
I arrested. l have money, but cannot ger at 1t
| while here. Have not heard from Wenthil in
sufTerinr stili send money direct 10 john
\ Wolfe Jersey City. care of Chief Of Police Muir
| ply. Forgive me dear Bella for causing you
| this trouble. Your iov ing brother,
| CzARLEs.
| 1t so happened that Charles W as At
| home when the letter arrived, and Stod-
| dard's game was thus foiied. The Chief
also showed Stoddari letter from Calef
OF Police Counor of Chicopee. in whie h
| that official said he recognized the photo
graph sent him as Edward l. StotdRrd OF
/ Chicopee. In unDosoming himself the
Y prisoner said he knew tie prodi2al son OF
| the contractor aud said his friends would
yet get him (Stoddard) out of this trouble
| He refused, however, to divulge his con-
| federate's name until the Chief got at 1t
! in this manner.
Said the Chief:-sI will give You his
| first letter II you give me the second AMI
1 every alternate one to the end"
/ Stoddard agreed. and the letters he
gave with those the Chief gave spelled
| the name of a noted professional forcer
1 who was last heard from in April last.
| Stoddard was this morning held in
s2.o00 on a charge OF forgery by Police
Justice Dayis.
CHINESE LEPERS ISOLATED