New-York tribune., 1873-03-18
THEFT AS A FINE ART.
wALL-sT. FLOODED WITH BOGUS BONDS
HEAVY FoRGERIEs OF CERTIFICATES OF SOC
SHARES OF WABASH AND FORT WAYNE
RAILROAD sTOCK-TWO MISSING BROKERS
AND MANY VICTIMS.


SHARES OF WABASH AND FORT WAYNE
RAILROAD sToCK-TwO MISSING BROKERS
AND MANY VICTIMS.
Wall-st. was very mueh startled, yesterday,
by the announcement that heavy forgeres OF certificates
OF railroad stock had been perpetrated and numerous
brokers been made the victims Inquiry TO the facts
elected the information that, far as known tbere
were certificates for only 100 shares Of stock forged The
circumstances which led 10 the discovery OF the foger
ies follows
Oddie Austin stock brokers OF No II Broadst who
we're known TO be dealers in the stock Of the Toledo
Wabash and Western Railroad Company, loaned eertL
cate for shares In the name OF Kuhn Loeb TO an
other bsoke This broker attempted to deliver II to ao-
other and was informed that II was not good dchy
eryD from the fact that although the certificate was
made in the Of Kuhn Loeb yet the power OF
substitution the back purported 10 be signed Dy
Kuhn, Loeb Co., who German bankers. This dis
crepancy in the caused an inquiry 10 be made oil
Messrs. Kuhn Loeb Co., who at first pronounced IT,
correct but upon closer inspection declared their sigma
ture 10 be forgery. II was sent to the Companys
transfer Office and pronounced counterfeit. The cert-
ncate was Immediately taken back to 0dde Austin
and they informed that IL was forgery
James g. Austin, the Junior member OF the firm, war
present and returned the money advanced the stock
and then quietly left the office. The facts coming 10 the
knowledge OF Mr. Pierce the transfer agent Of the To-
ledo Wabash and Western Railroad, he went TO odJe e.
Ausns office, and In the absence OF the rn asked tho
cashier where they were. The cashier said that Mr..
Austin had just gone out with 100 shares OF Wabash and
would probably return soon Looking into a drawer,
however he discovered the o0 shares Of stock and In
formed Mr. Pierce OF the fact The latter serutnized
the stock and pronounced 1t forgery. Interest
heightened when theiContinental Bank sent down To
know why Oddie & Austin had failed 10 make their
count good Il discovered that the account had been
overdrawn about co., aud that securities consisting
Of 400 shares Of Toledo Wabash and Western and 100
shares Of Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad
which had been left with the bank 70 secure against
loss by overdrafts also forged and consequently
OF value IL further ascertaned that Murray,
II banker in the street, who had loaned Oide Austin
sOcO had received collateral forged certificates for
100 Fsrt Wayne and 100 Wabash, making far a. II IL
known positively total Of COO shares OF Wabash aud 200
Of Fort Wayne 1t reported that 200 shares Of Wabash
discovered in another oan the certificates being In
the name OF Whitley and Nelson the face and in
doYsed by Whitley and Watson the back. This rCnor
is not believed was also reported that 100 shares or
Wabash had been discovered elsewhere.
The holders Of the forged certificates aud Others inter-
ested In the matter waited long time for the return Of
Austin, but without result for up 10 late hour last
evening, he had not been heard from. John d. Oddie.
the other member OF the firm Of 0ide & Austin, was
said be out duck shooting in aud although
he had been teegraphed for several times IL difficult
to reach him bat it expected that he would be in
town to-day. Orvile Oddie a broker, said that BIS
brother certainly innocent The cashier in whose
presence the greater number Of these transactions had
taken place. said yesterday that Mr. Austin received
the first 100 shares Of forged stock and went out appar
emily business leaving his overcoat aud other articles
behind him. He had expected him back every moment.
Saturday but was now CONVINCED that he and some
outside persons implicated In the matter He did
not believe that Mr.. odde knew anything about it.
Austin had large number OF these securities which
he placed with the frm but carried in the breast
pocket OF his coat and delivered occasion required.
There account the ledger entitled "S," which
had credit OF $50 900, and manipulated exclusively
by Austin Who is the cashier does not know but
he believes that the money derived from the hypotheca-
ton sale OF these fraudulent securities carried
that account Tue cashier believes that more forged
and counterfeit stock has passed into the street. but
cannot state positively Tue statements CORE
spOnd with those given above. He canpot give any
formation concerning Austin, except that he is young
man, aged % a. He does not know Ausns place OF
residence or acquaintances.
John W. Oddie is young about % years Of age.
and is highly spoken Of by those who know him. He ~
a member OF the Sock Exchange, and is sand by his
friends to be innocent any attempt at fraud They
insist that he is his p4tner's victim. Well informed
men on the street say that twas wei planned attempt
20 food the with bogus securities aud deem IL
fortunate that the scheme has been discovered at tLs
stage 1t is said that 0ddie advertised fyr partner.
and Austin responded aud offered 10 invest s25,0o GA
Saturday and yesterday brokers and others with rail
road stocks hand engaged in scruiilhing them
and sending them 10 the transfer officers for approval
The Wabash forgeries very well executed there
being peculiarity however In the misspel,iag or
names. The Fort Wayne forgenes are somewhat
coarser than the genuine certificates. Tie forged
Wabash certificates SO far known, in the
OF Kuhn. Loeb & Co. QOO shares), Phillip Speyers Go.
GOO shafes Kenyon, Cox Co. Q0O sharce, and RutSr
& Gross QOo shares