The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-11
City Intelligence.

Dy several weeks ingenious and industrious applica-
effected the arrest of one of the most cunning and
dextrous forgers that has graced our financial err
clesfor years past. few weeks since It will be
remembered, that three forged checks purportna 70
have been drawn by Simeon Draper, jr, auctioneer.
for So 800 together, had been presented at the Man.
haitian Bank and paid. A young man named Abra.
ham ]. Morrell, was arrested by Upper Police Off
GERS at the time, accomplice of the person who
committed the forgery, he having obtained check
for small amount from Mr.. Draper few days pre-
vious, from which it was supposed the signature of
the forseres had been traced After being detained
at the upper police for several weeks and not being
identified as the person who presented the checks,
Morrell was admitted to bail in the sum OF $4,000,
which was entered by Thomas Morrell, in his be-
halt It being evident from the circumstances that
Morrell was not the principal in the business. SIEVE
raj officers of the police of the city put upon
the alert to arrest him, through the agency of the
bank. From certain developements made by Ger.
tam Wall street financer prevlousto his release from
prison on bail, officer Relyea with the assistance of
person well acquainted with FRANKLIN BURNS,
the suprosedforger undertook his arrest. After re-
connolterng the field OF action, Relyea traced
Burns to Newark, N. j., where he ascertained that
he had been conveyed to Philadelphia in covered
wagon by man named Josiah Baldwin, who resides
on the Camplown road near the former place Relyea
and KeIlinger then went to Philadelphia and traced
Burns, who had assumed the name OF John b.
Dickson" TO boarding house at g. North Eighth
street, where he had kept himself secreted several
weeks IN his own apartments by representing Ia the
family that he was IAN descending deb'or' and his
creditors were in pursuit of him. From Information
thai had been communicated TO Burns bya person
whom he had engaged obtain his valise and
clothing in this city, Chat had, unknown to him,
been put under charge ofthe policy he had changed
ms quarters two days previous to the arrival OF
Relyea, and his whereabouts was then unknown.
Officer Relyea, not discouraged, however, by this
break In the link of discovery, followed up In pur
SUIT and found that his man had engaged the ser
vices OF girl OF the pave, aid taken lodgings at
large and fashionable boarding house In Market,
near Tenth street, passing the girl off as his newly
married wife. The assistance OF Mayor Scott, Of
Philadelphia, and Postmaster Montgomery, were
called in previous TO this aud several letters, Of
which was anonymous, written by Burns from
Philadelphia, to The address OF his assumed name,
were intercepted In this city, and taken from the
post Office by officer Osrom before the persons for
whom they were intended had obtained possession
of them. On Wednesday night at a late hour, hav
ing become satisfied that the gentleman was in the
above premises, Reyea sent for officers to aid him
IN the arrest but was not able to obtain their assis-
| lance at that hour of night. Finding The I'M
certainty OF delay, he resolved to spring lis man at
| once, hit or miss, and obtaining the assist
ance OF person who occupied the store below the
boarding house, entered the dwelling in the even
ing about ii o'clock with his pioneer on the lead
This person, who knew Burns was directed by
Reyea to go up stairs in the paror OF the boarding
house, and if Burns was there TO return and report
Immediately to him, and he would follow and Sc
cure HIM al once. He went up, opened the door,
and looking Burns directly in the face, became so
excited that he shut the door with such force that
the suspicious OF the orger were instantly excited
that all was not safe, and he must be wide awake
As quick as thought the rogue smelt the cat, and
without waiting for his hat, followed immediately
alter the pioneer, who 10y this time had carried The
information to Relyea that all was right Burns in
the meantime rushed into the yard, and from thence
INTO back court, and escaped Relyea, on re-
ceiving the answer that his man was up stairs,
mn de md hut into Yln IN
his astonishment found that the bird had hewn He
started for the yard thence into the street, but
too late, the darkness OF the night eluded pur
suit. Burns, after leaving the house, 1t has
since been ascer,aned, stopped cab driver IN the
street, and 1t being about the hour of night that pas
sengers arrived from New York, told him that he
way, he wished him to drive 10 a hat store, where
he could obtain cap. This being accomplished
he discharged the cab driver, and made good his
escape Relyea was here again thrown of the
scent, but by due diligence obtained information
the next day that led him TO believe, that the
object Of his search had taken quarters at
designation house kept by Mrs Smith, IN an alley
in the rear of 1863 Vine street. He there engaged
the assistance of shrewd girl acquainted with the
town, who was let into much of the secret
| nece ssary, and who on Thursday night after off
GERS had been stationed at the front and OF the
premises, was directed to go to the front door and
knock Tor admittance THIS refused, and with
| such reply that gave doubt that Burns
creted in the house In few moments Relyea
ter considerable delay, and being refused admission,
he gave it the impetus of his Dutch shoulder when
| open went the door, down went Mrs. Smith, heels
over head, and there stood Burns the forger, with
his knees knocking together like Belshazzer of old
at the handwriting on the wall Relyea gave him
slap on the shoulder, hearty shake Of the hand,
and with swell. my old boy, Eve got you at last,
clapped pair OF forged bracelets his forging
wrisers and landed him safe in the city prison yester
day morning, the arrival of the cars from Phila
delphia
a,,c
whose name used to obtain the money on the
forged checks from the Manhattan Bank, and pre-
panng a check for $1,000, his manner of accom-
pishlng his object was as follows HE took lodg-
ings at some private boarding house, and in his
walks about town during banking hours, made some
small purchase of merchandise, which he ordered
TO be sent to his lodgings. When the ooy arrived
with the goods he represented himself as short OF
imme date funds, but requested the bearer of the
ticles to go to the Manhattan Bank and obtain the
money for a check, which Immediately con-
senteato. To avoid detection he then would follow
the boy and watch his eturn from the bank, and as
was seen to be IN Company with hum he
would return to his boarding house before the boy
had arrived, receive the mosey, and il the notes
were large paw the amount OF the bill in other funds
that he had discovered in his pockets after the boy
had left. An immediate removal from that board.
ing house followed this successful operatlon and the
next day, in new quarters, with anew purchase at
different store and another boy; the next check for
$1,000 cashed, and the succeeding day the one
for So 800, when the forscrles were discovered by
the account of Mr.. Draper having been over
drawn.
Burns has been recognised by each Of the three
boys who obtained the money for the checks, and
will be indicted, tried and in oil probability convict
ed without much delay.
A small portion Of money, handsome gold
watch, and other jewellery, were found upon his
person. which have been placed in the police Office
TO abide the result of the trial, when, if convicted, il
will fall to the share of the bank, but if hot, to the
lawyer that defends him.
The superior cunning of the fellow in obtaining
the money for the checks, shows hun to be one OF
the most shrewd Of the numerous body OF forgers
that have found their way to Sing Sing and his ar.
rest under the circumstances, reflects much creoit
upon the ingenuity and OF the ofhcers
concerned, and particularly officer Relyea'
BOARDING HOUSE SNoozERs.-Through notice
IN the Herald yesterday morning. several persons