The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-21
zR1RIT or xaz PRESS.
editorial Opinions Ofthe Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the EVeHinq Telegraph.
THE REAKIRT FORGERIE5.


Prom the NJ Y. Times.
In the romance of Monte Christie a striking
picture is given Of a man acquiring colossal
wealth, and for long series of years devoting
himself, with its aid, to the ruin of those who
had poisoned his youth. II more frequently
happens in real life that mans ambition is
directed to the restoration of family position
once enjoyed, and, through ill-fortSne, lost
The case of Reakirt, the Philadelphia forger
is an illustration of this. He resolved to
amass an enormous estate, and what Edmond
Dantes gained, through the Able Faria,
Reakirt determined to acq uire by adroit for
geries. His intention was, probably, to
lay his foundations only by this
means. Like many others, he believed
that once possessed of q sufficient basis he
could rear his temple of wealth to the skies
His object was not altogether ignoble, how
ever disgraceful might have been the steps
taken to compass it. His grandfather esta-
blished the business still conducted under
the family name. 1t filed in its way high
and honorable position. Paper signed by the
house ranked with the best, and it was sup
posed to WELD great capital. Time wore on,
and the grandfather died. After that the
business did not flourish. By kind of
fatality, often seen but seldom explained, the
concern went down in the world Just as in
former years it had gone up.
The young man now accused of forgery
was reared in the house, and in due course
became partner. He distinguished himself
by close attention to business. His life was
remarkable for decorum, economy, and abste-
miousness. He studiously avoided bad asso-
ciates, and was never known to visit haunts
of vice, or even to frequent places of inno-
cent pleasure. 1t appears certain, however,
that for years he had contemplated villainy
on grand scale. The narrowing business of
the house bore heavily on his mind. He
resolved to restore its old position, and to
this end he took the steps that have led
him TO ruin. About three months ago he
prepared a note drawn by well-known
firm, and payable to his own order. This he
offered at bank where he was in the habit
of dealing and where it was readily dis
counted. By this stroke the sum of $4,000
was placed in his hands. With this money he
invested in a speculative purchase OF Rock
Island stock. With fatal celebrity he doubled
his money, and with uncommon sagacity he
deposited it in the bank already victimized
In this way he got other forged notes dis
scourted, thus increasing his resources and
enabling him to embark in fresh speculations.
He bought and sold various stocks, usually at
profit, extending his operations to Reading
Lake Shore, and Michigan Southern. Pur-
suing his original plan, he forged other
notes, got them discounted at various banks
and, on realizing by his speculation, depo-
Bited the proceeds in the same bank. At last
he went too far. He resolved to carry into
effect scheme involving round million of
dollars. An amount of seven thousand or SO
was needed to exc out the needful margins.
For this another note was forged in the usual
way By some accident the date was made
1870 instead of 1871. This led to close ex-
animation and to discovery
1he criminal, however, escaped, and has
not yet been apprehended. From the extra
ordinary skill shown by him in his nefarious
operations, it may be doubted whether he
will ever be taken. No fewer than thirteen
banks in Philadelphia are said to have been
swindled by him. Several of the persons
whose signatures were forged, were literally
amazed by the accuracy of the imitation, and
one gentleman, in spite of the proof afforded
by books, could hardly bring himself to deny
signature it was certain he never could have
made. Reakirt at the moment of detection
was possessed of large sums, and, but for this
slip, it is said, his ambitious hopes might
have been entirely realized. The case is a
sad and instructive one. Had the culprit put
forth the same skill and energy of purpose in
the honest pursuit of his vocation, the ball
would certainly in no long time have been at
his feet. AS it is, his hopes are blighted for
ever, and his miserable career furnishes
another memorable example of the foolish
ness of striving to accomplish good ends by
wicked means.