New-York tribune., 1920-05-01
Canadian War Hero
Stole Bonds to Kee1,
Buddy Out of Jail
Prisoner, Wearing Medal for
Nalor, Tells of Plea by
Mate Who Had Saved Life:
Wins Clen,ency i'm Court

"C'est la guerre," which served as
the excuse for more than one slip
from the path of rectitude. bids fair
to cause the speedy release from Ell
mira Reformatory of Russell Holmes
Fletcher, who was committed to that
institution for year yesterday by
Judge Rosalsky in General Sessions.
Fletcher, fine licking fellow of
tWenty-seven, was al. ned for the
theft of $4,000 worth Of Liberty bonds
from the National Bank of Commerce.
He had been employed as clerk by
the bank. He pleaded guilty.
When Judge Rosalsky asked him if
he had anything to say in exculpation
Fletcher arose and, as his coat lapel
tapped back, there was displayed the
British Military Medal.
Plea Made by Comrade
"One day at the bank" he said, "a
man came in who had been my buddy
in the trenches. On one occasion he
had saved my life on the battlefield
He told me he was in trouble and that
he would go to prison unless he raised
$4,000 at once. l went back to the
vault, got the bonds and gave them
to him. | had never stolen before.
But what else was there for me to do ?
| owed this man my life. If l must
give a few years of it to repay him
l am content. He sold the bonds for
$500, met his obligations and went
to Europe. That is all"
Frederick Hudd, of 1853 Broadway,
whom the Canadian government has
sent here to look after its discharged
soldiers, addressed the court at this
junCture.
Fletcher, he told Judge Rosalsky, had
been trusted and trustworthy clerk
prior to the outbreak of war in 1914
AT the first call to arms he enlisted in
the 8th Royal Rifles as a private. In
France, in the days when Canada was
doing far more than her share to stem
the Hun horde, he was thrice wounded
and was promoted time and again and
awarded the military medal for gal
lsntry in action. When he was dis
charged in January, 1919, he held the
rank of captain.
Friends to Make Restitution
Paul T. Kammerer, of 81 Chambers
Street, counsel for Fletcher, said that
friends of the prisoner in Canada had
agreed to make good his theft to the
bank and give him position in Mon
treal if the court would show elem
ency. :,;, ,ooous ,
has saved you from a long prison
term Of course, banks and other in
stitutions Of society must be pro
tected from thieves. The courts SEN
tence is that you be confined in FL
mira Reformatory for one year, bu,
if restitution is made to the bank
will appeal personally to Governor
Smith to pardon you"
Fletcher's salary at the National
Bank Of Commerce was $11O month
Tempted, the authorities say, by 8
/ dealer in bonds, Arthur Wiegand
wenty-two-year- bank clerk, con
! fessed to John T. Dooling, Assistant
/ District Attorney, yesterday that ne
! had stolen S25,000 worth of Liberty
bonds from the Title Guarantee anc
Trust Company
Wiegand whose home is at 154(
Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, and Samue
Maria, who have been indicted 1o1
grand larceny and criminally recelv
ing stolen goods, were arralgned II
/ Tombs Court yesterday and held II
$4,000 bail for trial in General Ses
/ sions. A third man, the bond dealel
who is alleged to have induced we
gand to purloin the securities, is be
ing sought by the police.
it is charged that Maria, who runs
Avenue, Brooklyn, received the bond:
from Wiegand and that about $4,000
worth of them were sold in Brooklyn
and New York. Wiegand, Mr.. Doolint
said, has done everything in his powel
to help in recovering the stolen prop
erty and in shedding light on othe'
( bond thefts.