The Washington times., 1902-06-29
Sentenced for Forgery to
Seven Years at
MOundSvilIe.
ALTERED PROMISSORY NOTES
Gettysburg Battlefield Cases-Business
Nan Indicted and Convicted or Seven
CouEts-Executive Clemency on Rec
o1nuerdation Of Attorney General

olnraerdation Of Attorney General.
Gilbert 3. Towics, convicted OF forgcr!
Mt the March term OF the Supreme Cour
Of the District, 1901. and sentenced L
the penitentiary FOR period OF sever
years. was pardoned yesterday by Tho
President or the recommendation of tht
Attorney General
Mr. Towles was well known in bust
ness circles in this city for many years
and was closely identified with many sn-
tcrprises. Because OF this his trial was
the sensation of the hour while in prog
ress before the local court.
The Indictment upon which he was
tried and convicted contained eight
counts. District Attorney Gould, repre-
senting the Government, however, an
nounced at the outset OF the proceedings
that he would not ask for conviction
on the last count.
Guilty on Seven Counts.
Each count specified separate Of
Tense. and he was found guilty on seven
counts. Under the law nc could have
been sentenced TO Imprisonment for a
period of more than fifty years, but Jus
tice Cole, who imposed sentence. fixed
the penalty al seven years imprisonment
in the penitentiary at Moundsville, y.
Va.
After his conviction in the criminal
branch of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict, Mr.. Towles' counsel, Messrs. Bir-
ney and Woodard. took an appeal to
the Court of Appeals for the District.
That tribunal not long ago announced
its decision. affirming the judgment OF
the lower court
After this his counsel and other
friends made an appeal TO the President
for full pardon. In reporting the mat
ter to the President the Attorney Gen
eral stated that "the rightfulness of the
conviction cannot be questioned. / am
moved. however. to advise you to heed
the prayer of the great number of sup
plants in behalf of the petitioner
The specific charges made against Mr.
Towlcs were that he changed, raised and
Otherwise altered certain certain prom
issoTy notes issued in connection with
the purchase Of part Of the Gettysburg
battlefield. About $1,000 of the pur-
chase money was paid, and the balance
of the money was represented by prom
issory notes.
1t WAS lut puEDOSt u AuOSt interested
in the enterprise TO sell the land to the
Government. but this was not accom-
plished. 1t then became necessary TO
issue other notes of smaller denomina-
tion from time to time 10 keep afloat the
original issue. This was mostly At
tended to by Mr.. Gilbert B. Towles. Cen
orally these small notes were indorsed
by Henry o. Towles, c. C. Bryan and
Zenas C. Robbins.
The Forgeries Discovered.
During the latter part of 1900 parties
holding several OF the small notes, upon
payment being refused when they be-
came due, filed suit 10 recover the
amount. 1t was then first discovered
that the notes were in any way changed
or altered. This statement was made as
q defense to the suits.
The matter being called TO the atten- /
tion of the District Attorney. an indict- |
ment charging Gilbert 3. Towles with !
forgery was reported against him. Since |
his trial the civil suits on several of |
the notes alleged to have been changed |
and altered have been tried in the cir |
cult branches of the Supreme Court of |
the District
In each instance except one-the last |
the suit of Capt. Charles B. Tanner-a |
verdict was returned in favor Of the |
defendants. In the last trial the jury
reported against Henry O. Towles and !
c. c. Bryan and held that Mr. Robbins
was not responsible for the payment of
the note
The Tanner case was the most strongly
contested Of any OF the suits which arose
over notes issued In connection with
the purchase Of the Gettysburg battle
fold In that vvac oil ba.
the Tanner notc was made originally |
for 81 l55. payable in thirty days. and |
that it was changed TO $1,000. payable
in ninety days. II
At mis- trial before the Criminal Court l
Mr. Towles, in testifying in his own |
defense, stated that he had changed the L
notes in question and contended that he
did so with the full knowledge of the
indcrsers. lie further said that he was
often given notes indorsed in blank,
which he afterward filled in with the
amount necessary to meet the demand.
Sometimes. he said II was necessary to
change the amount entered. and this
was done, but 1t was always with the
full knowledge Of all concerned.
Surrendered Himself.
When Mr.. Towles was indicted. be was
out Of the city. As soon as he was in
formed that there was an indictment
against him he returned Immediately
and surrendered himself He then gave
bond IN the sum OF $4,000 for his ap-
peaTance at trial. After his conviction
he again gave bond to await the result
of his appeal to the Court of Appeals
OF the District
Mr.. Towles IS about sixty-ive years
Of ave