(4 of 4)
Just 15 years before while I was city editor of the Nashville Banner, on June 2, 1921, I asked the press services to carry the following item, for the 'protection of newspapers elsewhere:
EDRS—Not for Publication
NASHVILLE TENN: The Nashville Banner today issued a warning against a man claiming to be a newspaper man who recently victimized that paper through bad checks. The man gave the name of Wilbur Pledge, it was said, and sometimes used the alias of Read. He claimed to have had experience with the Milwaukee Journal and to have seen service with the Canadian Army. The Banner asked that it be notified in case the man is found and described him as about 5 ft. 8 in. tall, weighing 140 lb.; ruddy complexion, short stubby hair.
... I have a phoney check drawn on the Globe National Bank of Denver, Colo, and passed by this notorious crook.
There is also an indictment standing against Wilbur Pledge (Brown) in the criminal courts of Davidson County, Tenn., and if he ever presents himself within the jurisdiction of these courts, I shall take great pleasure in doing my best to put him where he won't be able to further victimize other saps such as I.
JAMES G. STAHLMAN
President
Nashville Banner
Nashville, Tenn.
Sirs:
In your publication ... it is stated that "the Philadelphia Public Ledger had recommended Brown's work."
Pledge Brown was never employed by either the morning or the evening Public Ledger. So far as I know, he never did any work of any kind for either of these newspapers. He did, however, some years ago, work for another Philadelphia newspaper, and early this summer an article carrying his by-line did appear in still another Philadelphia newspaper . .
No recommendation was ever given him by either of the Ledgers at any time. . . .
C. M. MORRISON
Editor
Evening Public Ledger
Philadelphia, Pa.
TIME erred. It was the Philadelphia Inquirer that recommended Pledge Brown.—ED.