Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-28

passed number Of bogus checks on as
many local merchants. Tho indictment
pending against him alleges that he passed
on the firm OF Parker. Bridget & Co. a
check for 500, drawn on the Citizens Bank
of Bedford. Indiana. and purporting to bear
the signature of Alb. Hatfield. 1t was made
payable to the order of w. NJ. Davis, and
it was under this name that Shear regis
tered at the St. James Hotel. The check
February B. bill Of goods was purchased
by the defendant, it is said, and he was
given the difference between the amount of
the bill and the sum named in the check
When the police learned that Shear was
the man wanted, an Indictment was obtain
ed. and Inspector Boardman sent out de-
scriptive circular, containing Shears pic
ture, asking for his apprehension. His ar
rest in New York hotel on Blocker street
followed. and although 1t was the result of
Inspector BOardman's efforts the prisoner
was surrendered to Syracuse. where a re-
ward for him had been offered.
The police say he passed two checks at
Woodward & Lothrop's in 1898. In Syracuse
he was accused of having embezzled 81, 800
from the Model Loan Association. Because
of the message received yesterday it is
believed he will not be prosecuted in that
city.
Assumes Name of Elder.
In 1891, 1t is alleged, the prisoner, who
then assumed the name of William l.. Ell
der. passed forged check on Dey Brothers
at Elmira. Detectives secured the country
for him and finally found him in the AL
bany penitentiary, where he was serving
time for an offense committed at Albany.
Chief Little of Elmira learned of the mans
identity after he was returned to that city
for trial. The police chief learned also that
Shear, who had been carried on the army
rolls during the war, had enlisted as Lor-
EMO {. Stewart at Utica in 1863 as a SUBJ
stitute for drafted man. He deserted and
turned up a week later at Ogdensburg as
a member of the 18th Artillery. He was
then arrested deserter and returned to
Elmira for trial. While in prison awaiting
a hearing he managed to get some morphia,
which he put In a bottle of whisky The
bottle was passed through the bars to his
soldier guards and they drank freely of its
contents. This was done in an effort to
escape, evidently not with the intention of
killing the guards. Two of them died how
ever, and the soldier was then tried for
murder. He claimed he was related 20 a
T. Stewart, who was then a millionai e.
influential friends appeared and persuaded
President Lincoln to commute Stewards
punishment to life Imprisonment Presi-
dent Hayes pardoned him for the sake of
his wife, and since his release he has not
been known as Stewart.
Figures in Romances.
During his early career he figured in sew
eral romances, and, 1t is claimed he had
three wives at one time. Among other
things, he is accused of having disappeared
with about $1,000 worth of jewelry and
sum Of money belonging to one of his wives
short time after he married her It is
also charged that he was instrumental In
getting a man sent to an insane asylum in
order that he might marry the lattcrs
WIFE From time to tina he filled positions
of trust in New York, Vermont and other
states.
When the prisoner reaches here he will
be turned over to the marshal and commit
ted to Jail unless he can give bail
Ihls afternoon Inspector Boardman re-
ce1Ved telegram from Detective Weldon
conveying the information that Shear had
been given hearing and had been held
In $1,000 security for the authorities here
He was turned over to the marshal and
Will probably be brought here in a few