The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-04
READS LIKE ROMANCE.
How a Convict, Convicted of Forgery,
Secured Freedom,

JERSEY C1TG. n. J., OcU. 80
new and most remarkable feature il the
case of Charles B. Stoddard. now con-
fined in Hudson Courty jail ioc forging
checks, has just come to light. \ little
less than TWO years ago StoddarG. then
masquerading under the name Q! Henry
3. Davis, was convicted of similar Of
fences in Nashville: and was seat to
Tracy City, branch prison in TeDues-
sec, to serve term Of six years.
He was put to work IN the mines.
This year, however, he Obtained bis
freedom by one OF the boldest and most
ingenius rUses that criminal ingenuity
ever devised. The discovery Of the
fraud has led Governor Buchanan, OF
Tennessee, to make a requisition on
Governor Abbott, Of New jersey. in
order that the prisoner may be tired for
the crime by which Re secured his lib
erty.
1t appears that Governor Buchanan
few months ago received q petition pur-
porting to be signed By 6fty Of the lead
ing residents Of Cov;ngton, asking for
Stoddard's release, accompanied bg o
letter, presumably signed by \. ",
Babtlst, ofthe firm Of 3abtist & Beadle.
reputable and well-known attorneys Of
that place. This letter weaves 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 wicked and ayaricious
stepfather named Jas. Sheriff.. and
abetted by the latter's wicked brother.
This step-father's cruel conduct, the
letter alleged, drove the prisoner to dis
sipation, and the step-fat ler by fraud
had him convicted OF forgery so he might
enjoy the estate of Davis mother, some
100000.
Babtist was made to say that he had
secured the division Of Sherrill's estate,
which would give the prisoner the snug
sum of s377, 900 to begin life anew. The
letter also stated that note Of a conf
Dental character had been sent to the
Governor to hand to Stoddard, because
the lawyer could not consistently hand
1t to him, and then continued: 'sGive
him kindly adnonition and godspeed.
He has some money with him, ard should
he need more, and not be suitably clad,
kindly meet his needs and will send
check. He is a Mason and a member of
the Alliance, and his brothers here are
very anxious to hear Of his prompt re-
lease.
II trust that the acknowledgement Of
this letter will be the news that Davis is
free."
After this charming bit OF naivete
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 salts
fed with the punishment OF Sheriff.. and
that the signature Of every citizen II
Topton County could have been obtain.
ed to the petition. The ''signers,'' it
goes on to say, ''are all frst-class citl-
zens and deeply interested IN the mat
ter. Justice demands his immediate
pardon, and I ask it as personal favor,
and whatever l can do to render your
administration successful and fer your
future advancement in political lie will
be done, as you know: cheertully."
The signatures attached to the petit
ton include the names ofS. L. Cock
roft, attorney general; T. D. Fiippen,
Judge Of the Circuit Court; Daniel Smith,
sheriff Of Upton county, and many
others, including the law firm Of BaDtist
& Beadle, 10 which the writer Of the
letter was supposed to belong. Ssoddard
was duly released, and the Governor
only discovered the fraud when be spoke
to one Of the supposed signers OF the
petition, who denounced the whole thing
as a fraud.
Stoddard's trial will GENE OF in few
days, and under the laws Of New jersey
he can be sent 10 the State prison tor
ten years. After that he can be sent to
Tennessee, but not before.