The Washington times., 1902-02-17
That of George Washington
Most Often Used.
OTHER PRESIDENTIAL ALIASES
Next to That of the Name of the
Father of His Country Are Those
of Andrew Jackson. Andrew John
son and John Adams.

The frequency with which the names of
great men appear on the criminal records
of the country is worthy Of note. Whether
this is so by design or accident is not
known. OF course, it is known to be a
fact that persons in all walks of life,
when accused OF crime, Invariably as
sumo names other than their own. In
doing this it is also noticeable that when
looking for a name b. means of which
10 hide their identity. people always Sc
lect those Of distinguished peTs- rs.
While the truth Of this is plainly eyi-
denced by an inspection Of the criminal
records in most of the cities and towns
throughout the United States. it is per-
haps more clearly demonstrated by the
records of the local courts than those of
elsewhere.
An inspection Of the records will show
that many persons accused Of crime have
no more compunction about assuming
the name OF some iliustrious American
than the proverbial coon has Of rob
bing roost.
The name of no great American ap-
pears more frequently upon the criminal
Persons accused of crime for some rea-
sen or other assume this name oftener
than that Of others.
Washington often Used.
The name, George Washington. will be
found entered upon the criminal dockets
from the police court to the pcaitentiary
Larceny is oftener the charge entered
against these George Washingtcns whose
names appear en- the criminal records,
than is any other offence. The records do
not show whether the claimants of the
name of the Father cf His Country were
colCred CT white
Other Iliust-iOus Aliases
After the name CT Washington these
most frequently occurring upon The crini-
nal records are those of Andrew jackson,
Andrew Johnson. John Adams. and James
X. Polk. In March, 1866, the name of An
drew Johnson is found upon the docket of
the Supreme Court of the District. and
against it is entered the charge OF lar
ceny. He was not brought to trial. how
ever, because he was not apprehended.
Then appears the name CT Andrew Jack
with petit larceny for stealing a horse
bride. The grand jury, however. failed to
return an indictment against the prisoner
bearing the name of Old Hickory" and
he was discharged from CUSTODY
John Adams, however, in April, 1863,
was found guilty in the District court of
grand larceny and sentenced to imprison-
ment in the penltentiary at Albany for
period of one year.
james Il. Polk Gets sixty DAYS,
James X. Polk. the name of the eleventh
President Of the United States, is found
upon the criminal records of the District
for the year 1867. The person bearing the
name was charged with petit larceny and
upon conviction was sentenced to impris-
onment in the county Jail for sixty days |
During the same year the name of /
George Washington is again found upon |
the criminal docket in the local courts. |
The man claiming the name was convicted |
OF larceny and sentenced to two years /
Imprisonment in the penitentiary at Al |
bany, y. Y.
The name of L. S Grant, the eighteenth
President of the United States, does not !
appear upon the criminal records of the .
District. There is, however, a name very !
similar. 1t is that OF U. Samson Grant. 4
The owner OF this name was convicted OF .
petit larceny and sent to the county Jail. .
Name of Smith as an AIias.
Then there is the name of Smith. made .
famous by Pocahontas, who saved John .
Smith from death at the hands of her IA
ther, Powhatan, the Indian chief, during .
the early days of the settlement of vir- /
ginia.
The name OF John Smith can be found .
upon the records of every criminal court
in the country. He appears to have been ,
guilty OF all offences in the category of .
crime. from plain drunk ald disorderly"
to murder. The offence for which his
presence has been oftenest required be-
fore the local courts is, however, larceny.
both petit and grand.