Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-08
IN HARD COLD :. CASH A $6000 Bond Was Paid for Steve Pratt
  BY HIS M0NEYED FRIENDS And He Was Given His Liberty-The Criminal Court Wouldn't Hold Him to Bail on
 the Tennessee Charges.

Steve Pratt, the alleged "gold brick" swindler, yesterday secured bond in the sum of $6000 and was released from the custody of Sheriff Morrow.
 As soon as this was done the news spread like wildfire on the streets. It was generally believed that 1t was his successful maneuver, by which he will quit the state and avoid a trial on the charges of grand larceny and of obtain ing money under false pretenses.
 Pratt's case has been thoroughly ven tilated in the papers. Everybody is fa- mliar with the story of how Farmer Dobbins was swindled out of $6000 about year ago on the "gold brick trick" The story of the transaction created quite a sensation at the time Local play wrights went so far as to drama tize the episode and present 1t to the public in a modern comedy. The man who had per petrated the fraud, however, had sought a more congenial cline, and as time pass ed the "gold brick' became a chestnut and passed out of public mind.
 About three weeks ago the second chapter of the 'gold brick" was unfolded in Texas. A man had been arrested there on a similar charge and through police correspondence Chief of Police T. c. Me- Donald, accompanied by Farmer Dob bins. went to Texas and the prisoner was identified as the man who had swindled Farmer Dobbins on the 'gold brick" scheme. The prisoner gave his name as Steve Pratt, and through the ShreWdnesS of Chief Mcdonald Pratt was induced to come to Alabama without requisition papers. Recently the grand jury of lief ferson county indicted Pratt on two charges-grand larceny and for obtain ing money under false pretenses. His bond was fixed at $6000 by Judge Greene. Since Pratts arrival in Birmingham Ten nessee officers obtained a warrant for Pratt on the charge of an alleged gold brick swinde in Chattanooga. Yesterday Pratt sued out a writ of habeaS corpus, which was heard before Judge Greene, and the prisoner was discharged on the Tennessee warrant. His counsel insisted that the issuance of a warrant on the Tennessee charges was illegal while the prisoner was under
 A Cash Bond.
 The bond was paid in cash to further secure Sheriff Morrow. It was paid by Pratt or influential parties to Dr. Green of Opelika and MT. M. T. Stratford, who in turn signed Pratt's bond and gave the money to Dr. Morrow. who deposited 1t in the First National bank.
 Dr. Morrow says Pratt's bond is really worth $5O 900 and that the s6000 cash was merely put up to further secure the sheriff.
 Pratt's Whereabouts
 is not generally known. State Herald reporter made diligent search for him yesterday. but without avail. l. was said yesterday that he had left the city as soon as he made bond, but If he has gone he did not leave on any of the trains out of the union depot. Attorneys D. A. Green and E. K. Campbell, both of whom represented Pratt, said that they knew nothing of his wherea bouts.
 "The last that I saw of him." said At H. out of the court house."
 He told me-" said Attorney Dan Green, that he would look after the evil dence in his case and communicate with me further"
 Did he pay you your fee?" asked the reporter.
 "Yes, he paid that at the time his bond was fixed"
 Twill you tell me how much it was?"
 "No" laughed Attorney Green; 'it sat isfed my charges"
 Pratt was also represented by Attor- ney B. M. Allen, and it is said that he feed his counsel not less than $1000
 MT M. T. Stratford, one of Pratts bondsmen, in response to the reporters query concerning Pratt's whereabouts, said that he thought Pratt was at the Florence hotel, but the reporter could not lind him there.
 When he was released yesterday fore noon he walked down the alley from the sheriffs office and turned into Twenty first street It is said that he was seen yesterday afternoon about o'clock talk ing with a man on Twenty-first street and Second avenue.
 He Wore Goggles.
 When Pratt went into the criminal court room yesterday forenoon his eyes were hidden by a pair of blue goggles. Two friends were in the court room at the time, one of whom had a large amount of money in his pocket with which to pay Pratts bond. The men were strangers, and their names could not be learned. One of the men bore a close resemblance to the prisoner, and many believed him to be Pratt's brother.
 Couldn't Write Ills Name.
 When Pratt was requested to sign his own bond as matter of form. he sprans a surprise on the authorities by quietly telling them that he could not write his name. It was written for him, and he touched the pen and made his mark"
 In appearance he has all the address and polish of an educated gentleman, and his conversation is noticeable for it's choice f1uency. While in prison Pratt kept a supply of newspapers in his cell
 In Case of Forfeiture
 of the bond the $6000 will be turned over to the county fine and forfeiture fund. Several people are of the opinion that Pratt can pay 1t off In county scrip, but Sheriff Morrow says he cannot.
 Will Build New Capitol.
 Jackson, Miss. Feb. 7-About the first act of the Mississippi legislature was to appoint a joint committee on capitol building. The committee, on recom-