The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-28
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A PRINCE OF FORGERS.
The CONVICT WHO FOOLED GOV
BUCHANAN a PRISONER.

The Story of His Successful Forged
Petition for q Pardon Retold-The
Governor Even Worked for Suit OF
Clothes and Little Money by ths
willy Prisoner.
JERSEY CITY, N. j., Oct. ga new and
most remarkable feature In the case Of
Charles B. Stoddard, now confined in the
Hudson county jail for forging checks has
Just come to light. A little less than two
years ago Stoddard, then masquerading
under the name of Henry b. Davis. was
convicted of similar offenses in Nashville
and was sent to the Tracy City
branch prison in Tennessee to serve
a term of six years. He was
put to work in the mines. This year, how
ever, he obtained freedom by one Of the
boldest and most ingenious ruses that orim-
inal ingenuity ever devised. The discovery
OF the fraud has led Gov. buchanan Of
Tennessee to make requisition on Cow
Albeit of New Jersey, in order that the
prisoner may be tried for the crime by
which he secured his liberty.
AFoRGED PETITION.
1t appears that Gov. Buchanan a few
months ago received petition purportine
to be signed by fifty OF the leading residents
of Covington, asking for Stoddard's res
lease, accompanied by a letter presumably
signsd by N. w. Babtist OF the firm of
Babtist & Beadle, reputable aud we'll
known attorneys of that place. This let
ter weaves q story of romance about
Stoddard, or Davis, as he was known in this
Tennessee prison, and recites In great de.
tail how he was the victim of a conspiracy,
planned and engineered by wicked and
avaricious stepfather, named James Sher.
rill. and abetted by the latter's wicked
brother.
READ LIKE A FAIRY TALE.
This stepfather's cruel conduct, the letter
alleged, drove the prisoner to dissipation,
aud tbs stepfather by fraud had him cons
vioted of forgery so he might enjoy ths
estate Of Davis mother, some eco 900. Bah'
tist was made TO say that he had secured q
division of Sherrills estate which would
give the prisoner a snug sum Of s37, 900 tc
begin life anew. The letter also
stated that note Of confiden'
tial character had been sent to the
governor to hand to Stoddard. because the
lawyer could not consistently hand it to
him, and then continued: "Giveihim kindly
admonition and godspeed. He has some
money with him. and should he need more
and not be suitably clad kindly meet his
needs, and will send a check. He is a
Mason and member 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.n
NO END TO HIS CHEEK.
After this charming bit of naivete, which
/ paved the way for Stoddard to filch money
and q suit of clothes from the governor, the
unique document says that Davis and his
friends will be satisfied with the punishment
of Sheriff., and that the signatare OF
every citzen in Upton county
petition. "The sgners.n it goes on
to say, "are all first-class citizens and deeply
interested in tho matter of Davis release
Justice demands his immediate pardon. and
ask 1t as personal favor, and whatever
can do to render your administration success,
| full, and for your future advancement in
political life, will be done. as you know,
cheerfully."
GOOD NAMES ON THE PETITION.
The signatures attached to the petition In!
| clude the names of s. L. Cockroft, attorney
| general; T. ID. Flippen. judge of the circuit
court; Daniel II. Smith, sheriff of Upton
county, and many others, including the law
! firm OF Babtist g. Beadle, to which the
writer OF the letter is supposed to belong
| Stoddard 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
of 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 I'd
Tennessee, but not before