The New York herald., 1873-10-26
THE BOND FCRGERIES.
List Of the Principal Victims as Far q Ascer-
tained--The Pedigree Of Andy Roberts-His
Criminal Career-A Sketch Of His Friend,
George Wilkes-Why the Bank at
Greenport, L. l., Was Not Robbed

Greenport, L. l., Was Not Robbed.
From all accounts Wall street has not heard the
last OF the stupendous forgeres In Buffalo and Erie
and New York Central Railroad bonds which were
first made known to the public on the 3lst OF
last August. The ''street' may be thankful to the
HERALD for its publication on the I'd OF September,
which defined the names OF the principal forgers,
and which had the practical result OF preventing the
emission OF New Jersey Centrals and Western
Union bonds, OF which the seals had been prepared
by George Olmstead for Andy Roberts, who Is the
central figure in the present gigantic swindle.
Rumor, with Its thousand tongues, spread the re-
port In Wall street yesterday that over $2,o0o,00o
"worth'' OF the two first mentioned bonds had
been placed in circulation in this and European
markets. and that large amount OF the bogus
STUFF was being sent back here, particularly from
the German financial centres. In yesterdays
HERALD it was promised that list should be given
OF the principal victims or course the list may
contain errors nearly all the losers desirous
OF hiding their losses; but the information has
been obtained from reliable sources.
THE VICTIMS
No. 1.-The Trust and Indemnity Company,
OF No. 50 Broadway, s75, 600. The President OF the
company, in conversation with HERALD reporter
stated yesterday afternoon :-"The bonds are now
In the hands OF Assistant District Attorney Allen.
We sent over to Hoboken to see II the men who
were discharged by Recorder Bohnstedr could be
recognized by our officials, but they were not.
When we knew Of the nature OF the bonds we i'm
mediately put ourselves In communication with
the Chief OF Police, and two detectives were
signed to work up the case. Assistant District
Attorney Allen seems to be working up the case
with great energy, and we have great hopes OF re-
covering some OF our money In this matter"
No. 2.-Hasklns & RIaine OF Wall street. $4,000.
No. 3-Saunders, Hardenbergh King, bankers,
Of No. liz Broadway, $45,0o0.
No. 4.-Obrg b Co., $4,000
No. 6.-Knckerbacker $4,000
No. CIV A. Guest Co., Of Nassau street.
amount unknown.
No. is. v. White Bros, amount unknown.
Nm. 8-Mr Miller, President OF Buffalo, New York
and Erie Railroad, amount unknown.
Several large banks and trust companies have
also, 1t is reported been victimzed to very large
extent, but have declined to make their losses
known communicate with Assistant District
Attorney Allen. Pniladephla and Boston, 1t is also
reported, are heavy losers.
THE KING PIN OF THE FoRGERs.
:. From his earliest years Andy Roberts, now In
the Tombs, the central figure OF these forgeres has
frequented the haunts OF criminals, and his career
Is black one. Some four months ago, while
rested by Detective ofncer Macdougall, under the
"Habitual CRIMINAL" act. at seven O'Clock in the
morning, on the wharf Of she French steamers,
leaving for Havre, intending, 1t is now al
legged, to send TO Europe, by the hands OF two OF
Andy, alter being locked up for some time at
Police Headquarters, was discharged. Ten
altering and raising bank bills. In that year
robbery was committed on the New York and New
Haven Railroad, between Norwalk and Westport,
of safe containing many thousand dollars be-
longing to the Adams Express Company. The safe
was pitched out Of the Car one dark night by Andy,
who was abetted by conductor named Stebbns,
and later on broken into and robbed OF its con-
tents The case was worked up Tor the Express
Company, who, 1t may here be remarked to their
honor, make q point Of never compounding o
felony. Detective Bangs subsequently arrested
in his forging laboratory manipulating over $4,000
oil counterfeit bills He was taken TO Connecticut,
nna " ana n 70
made in his behalf by Mr.. Sherman Smith,
ex-Recorder, and who has been engaged as his
counsellor in the present "unpleasantness.n He
renamed in jail three and half years. when he
was pardoned out, Since then the police authori-
tion about Andy being engaged in numerous
financial operations. Among them may be men.
robbery, which were 'sneaked'' from that gentle
man while he laid his box containing the bonds,
touched his shoulder, he looked round, and,
prestol the box was gone: A man named Corp
y aso @ eo eds at
named Harry Campbell, OF Providence, r. l., who
was caught and imprisoned at Wolsboro, N.
II. Andys latest business, or profeSsedy so, has
been carrying on lie insurance business in
Barclay street. the AstOr House, but this was,
OF course, a mere blind.
ANDY ROBERTS CONFIDENTIAL FRIEND, GEORGE
WILKES.
George Wilkes who is now in durance vile in this
city, in the forgery business IS well known to the
police. To show his standing, 1t may be remarked
that he arrived in this city two weeks previously
to Macdonald, OF Bank OF England notorety, from
Europe, but had his luggage and his person over
hauled by order OF the Deputy surveyor, Captain
L. ]. Kirke, to see II he had any Bank OF England
matter about him. No seizures were made, how
ever. He then left this city for England once
more-report says in the bogus bond syndicate
and arrived here In time to be arrested. wilkes
Is native OF Philadelphia He has been arrested
several times. He was out in san Fran
cisco with the Brotherton brothers, George
and LOftus the former being sentenced to fifteen
years ana the latter to fourteen years for forgery,
having been arrested by Captain Leeds Of that
again. He was an intimate Trend OF voly Wright
the forger, who has now reformed and is living IN
Texas. Big Steve, OF Philadelphia, was also one
OF his sspalsv The California expedition netted
Wilkes over $40, 600. Wilkes has also kept gam
bling house on Broadway, over Chamberlain
DOdgc's. He was partner with the late
George Sudow, OF this city, and both were ar
dan, at the Franklin street police station, for
passing counterfeit checks; but the matter was
s'arranged.n The pair were to rob bank at
Greenport, L. l., and had Impressions OF locks
&c., but their plans were frustrated by I. Fennow,
Rhode Island gambler, who informed the presl-
dent OF the bank OF what was on loot. Sudow
soon after died, and Wilkes generously abandoned
was concerned.
FORGERIES OF UNITED STATES 800