The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-31
WHITMAN IS SENTENCED
Nine Years in Prison for
the Brilliant Young
Forger.
The PinkertOnS Declare That the
Prisoner Is a Notorious
Criminal.

Alonzo j. Whlteman, the young man OF
brilliant attainments, former honors and
departed wealth who was recently con-
victed in Judge Wallace's court for forgery,
was sentenced yesterday to nine years in
prison.
And the closing day of the case was not
without its dramatic features. Whiteman
deserted by his attorneys, represented him
self, but he only further convinced the
court of his abilities.
The prisoner had eemed to be in fair
way of getting out of the difficulty. He
had presented an affidavit that the Frank
Dixon check was genuine, but Assistant
District Attorney Black had several atfida-
Wits from the Chicago Pinkertons yester-
day, declaring that the supposed Frank
Dixon is probably an accomplice of White
man, and that Whiteman is a criminal
with q very bad record.
William Pinkerton is the author OF one
of the afidayits, and he says:
know A. ]. whiteman, the defendant, and
have never known in my whole experience in
the police business more plausible talker
than the said Whiteman. As a liar he is phe-
nomenOn. AS to his talk about his having
been an honored representative in Minnesota,
that Is groundless. He was at one time
member OF the State Senate in that State. He
gambled or dissipated away 100000 or
100000 which he inherited. Then he became
noted as professional swindler, being wanted
in Nashville, Tenn, Chicago, London and in
the City OF Mexico. In every case the charge
of forgery was against him.
One Robert Knox, who was convicted in the
City OF Mexico about three years ago for swim
ding jeweler out of SIC, 900 worth of dia-
monds through a bogus check was a pal and
associate OF Whiteman. Harry CONWAY, ar
rested by my Chicago Office nearly year ago
and sent to Joliet for forgery, was a catspaw in
the hands of Whiteman.
From my knowledge of Whiteman consider
him scoundrel and professional confidence
man, also an able forger. His ingenuity for
getting money out of a bank is not surpassed
in the country. know of no more polished
vagabond outside OF the walls of prison His
sister at Evansville, NY, has extrcated him from
many different difficulties and nearly ruined
herself financially by so doing, and as last
resort he repaid her Kindness by an attempt to
hlackmail her. The man is thoroughly heart
less and has no regard for the truth.
The Conway here mentioned signed an
affidavit at Joliet penitentiary that he COM
mitted a $4,000 forgery at Whiteman's in
stigation and in the statements were ale
cations of various crimes.
When the affidavits had been read
Whiteman moved that the affidavits be
stricken from the files, but his motion was
denied. Mr.. Black offered to show that
the Dixon affidavit was forgery, but
Whiteman's objection TO that was sus-
tanned. The motion for new trial was de-
MED.
Whiteman then made brief address.
~ will appeal to the Supreme Court for
the justice which [ believe has been denied
me here" he said.
AS hope for justice on the last day, l swear
now before heaven / never committed this
forgery; but when sentence is pronounced my
life will be ruined badly as It can, so it mat
tiers not what the term may be- would scorn
to plead for mercy by informing your Honor
that in distant Eastern town white haired
mother waits for the electric messenger TO an
nounce the result of this proceeding, and that
at her feet is prattling babe too young to
realize the position of its father. would scorn
to plead for mercy, for am innocent. Thou
sands of dollars have been spent to prevent me
from returning to New York to give testimony
in an important case. | am confident that in
time my innocence will be proved.
Judge Wallace fixed the sentence at nine
years. He granted a thirty days stay of
execution 10 permit Whiteman to prepare
an aODeal