The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-09-20
The City Bank of New York Beat out
of SIS, 900 on Forged Check.
From the Chicago Republican, 14th.


An extensive case of forgery, one that
scarcely has its equal in the criminal rec
ord of the country, has just been developed
by detectives George Elder of New Y York,
and Sam Ellis, of this city. The City
Bank of New Y York, on the 1lth day of July,
cashed a check for $4,000. purporting to
be signed by Commodore Vanderbilt. The
individual who presented the check was at
that time unknown to Messrs. Taylor & Co.
proprietors of the bank, but certain cir
cumstahces that have subsequently been
brought to the surface have fully identified
him as one of the most adroit swindlers of
modern times. Not until several days after
the check had been cashed was it discov-
cred to be a forgery, when immediate ac-
ton was taken toward the apprehension of
the guilty party. Detective Elder was en-
ployed by the proprietors of the bank to
work up the case, and very creditably, in
connection with the services of detective
Ellis; afterward brought into requisition,
did he fulfil the extremely difficult task
imposed. A full description of the man
who had received the money was provided,
and the first step was taken.
The sketch of the personnel of the scamp
led to the detection of Henry Livingston,
whose aliases are Lewis, Mathews, and De
Peyster, and who is quite well known to
the detective force of New York as an old
and experienced hand at 70 uery. AS a
horse fancier of no little importance, he
was also somewhat acquainted in sporting
circles. 1t was ascertained that Livingston,
with the $75, ZOO, had taken hasty depar-
ture for Buffalo, where, upon the arrival of
the officer, it transpired that he had pur-
chased several horses and had come to this
city. Hither the officer promptly repaired,
only to find that his game had once more
slipped his grasp, having left the Brighton
House here, where he had been stopping,
and gone to Kane County, H., and where,
it was reported, he had purchased farm
Detective Sam Ellis was detailed by the
chief Of police of Chicago to aid in the
prosecution Of the task, and, in company of
Elder, he left for Blackberry Stanton, Kane
county. There the two officers learned
that Livingston was luxuriating upon 900
acres of soil, known as the Camp and
Woodman farm, situated about five miles
northwest from that point, and for which
he had paid $25, 900 cash. Upon the re-
ceipt of this encouraging news the officers
hired buggy and arrived at the farm at
10 o'clock on Wednesday morning last.
Livingston was seen standing at barn
door and Ellis approached him, and, after
salutatory remerk which was lily re-
ceived, calmly notified himof his business,
and introduced him to Elder, of New York.
The Governor s warrant for his arrest was
shown bim, and he was greatly agitated as
he perused it.
Preparations was then made to close the
matter by decisive movement, and Elder
went to Geneva with 81, 600 team, which
l
attachments upon the property. Ellis es-
corted the prisoner into the house, and ac-
companied him to his bedroom. Once in
side the door, the scoundrel made dash
for pistol, which he undoubtedly intended
to use against the detective, but the latter
was too active for him, and secured him be-
fore he could employ the weapon. The
apartment was literally filled With weapons
of all descriptions, and Ellis certainly ran
a very great risk. The farm was well
stocked with horses and cattle and every
convenience imaginable.
In the afternoon, the trio, Elder, Ellis,
and Livingston, were met by "a batch of
eager lawyers at Black berry Station. who
hoped to liberatc the forger by obtaining a
writ of habeas corpus at Elgin, but they
we're outwitted as the officers started with
the equipage previously used and arrived
at Michigan city, Ind, where Elder took a
train tor New York, having in his custody
the fellow who had SO neatly been captured.
Ellis returned to this city, and reported
progress. 1t is said that the infamous ras.
cal, Livingston, had introduced his wife
as a daughter Of Commodore Vanderbilt,
while rusticating in this portion Of the
country, and he spent money as if he had
no limit to his wealth.