The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1867-09-05
A Bold Forgery.

Tho Pious. Dodge Resorted to.
From the Madison Journal, Aug. Isl
Some two weeks ago man calling
himself A. Burns, about thirty-tive
years of age, say six feet high, slen-
der built, but broad shoulders, short
auburn hair, inclined to curl, whis-
kers sandy, eyes blue, a peculiarly
Looping step, and mouth unusually
small, teeth good, inclined to talk
considerably, and using some express
sions indicating that he had been
brought up in Southern Illinois or
Indiana, made his appearance in the
thriving village Of Mazomaine, in
3 this county. Putting on '.the livery
of Heaven to serve the devil in,' at
aer remaining in town long enough
to get his bearings aud learn where
and how it was best to strike, he as.
sumed role of a Baptist clergymen
without any present charge, and in
/ troduced himself to the minister of
! that denomination and some of the
"brethren." lie put on sanctimo-
NOUS expression, showed number
! of Theological works in his trunk,
and so demeaned himself us to de-
ceive even the very elect. He re
ceived and accepted an invitation. to
preach on Sunday the 18th, and de-
/ livered two discourses, preaching
with great JUNCTION, so that his voice
/ could be heard affair." of, and although
There was more sound than substance
about what he said, .still7it was not
suspected that he was an imposter.
Having thus prepared the way, he
proceeded to business. He had in
some way-rather an uncommon oc-
currence for a Western minister,
which we do not know how he OK
plained-bccome possessed of quite q
tsdln of money which he wanted to
invest. He had arraigned to pur-
chase a farm, which unfortunately
had small patch of hops on it, and
30 scrupulous was he, SO "uncoe
gude," that he could not think Of
buying it without STIMULATING that
the value should be deducted from
the price Of tho land and that the
j hops should be extirpated by the
roots. He also made the acquain-
lance of Maj. jesse S. Miller. tormer-
! " of the Eleventh Regiment, and ne
gotlated togo.into partnership with
him in rebuilding a planning mill and
sash factory burned out there some
time since and 60 into manufacture
ing. He had no currency, however,
to use for this purpose, and wished
to come to Madison to procure avail
abb" funds in exchange for some
drafts which he had. Accordingly,
Maj. Miller gave him letter of in
4 PRODUCTION 20 an old comrade of his
connected with one Of our mercan.
tile establishments, requesting him
70 identify him ct the bank, and rcn,
der him what aid he could in trans
acting his business.
:, Thus equipped, Mr.. Burns came te
this city on the night OF the 10Th
registered his name at the American
| House, and the next morning wen,
to cali on the gentleman to whom HI
had "a letter. lie, supposng all was
right, went with him to the First Ma
tional Bank, and INTRODUCED him as
f friend. Mr. Clark, the teller of tn
bank was absent, and Mr.. G. A. Ma
9 son, the cashier, was at thei desk
Burns presented five drafts, OF 81 CO.,
each purporting to be drawn by th
+ First National Bank Of Centervill
: Iowa, upon the Tenth National Banl
Of New York, and asked for $500
. in currency thereon, saying that h
) would leave the balance, $4,000, TO
: some days, to his credit, not ever
j wishing certificate Of deposit. M
Mason scrutinized the drafts AM
listened to the conversation between
the stranger and the endorser am
t concluded all was right. The stran
I ger took his money, chatted awhil
y with his new acquaintance, and say
ing he would see him again, mad
his way to the depot, and, as ha
since appeared, left on the noon trai
) for the East, to be seen in thes
o parts no more, unless brought bacl
!. in an officers hands.
e On Saturday, the First Nationa
: officers recciveda despatch from Nel
York that the drafts which they ha
lcashed were forgelies. They immed
ately set to work to investigating
e the matter and ascertain the fact
, stated above. They Immediately Sc
officers on the track of the swindle
. aud have widely distributed circu
) liars, offering reward Of $4,000 TO
the detection of the forgcr and re
!. covcry ofthe money-s500 for tn
detection of the forger, $4,000 tor tn
e recovery Of the money.
1t has been ascertained that prio
to establishing his base of operation
: in Mazomanie, the rascal made an al
e tempt at TT. Atkinson, under guis
of a Methodist preacher, but coul
Q find no one to identify him.
"a. Burns" has added another il
teresting chapter to the history c
> crime and bled some Of our best me
n pretty freely. There are, Of course
9 all sorts Of surmises as to the connet
r tons and motives Of the forgcr, bu
we do not think it best to refer t
the most common suppositioE hers
Q The officers and stockholders Of tn
d First National have the hearty syn
patty of the community in thci
losses, accompanied by the eaIncs
S hope that they may succeedin catcl
|, ing and furnishing the rascal who ha
> rxvip3 lnd thap,