New-York tribune., 1873-03-18
ROBBTNG THE MAILS.
EXPRESS COMPANIES swINDLED BY FORGED


DRAFTS.
DISPATCHES from St. Louis, in yesterdays
TRIBUNE contained account OF the discovery that the
mails between that point and this city had been robbed
several times within the last three months, and that
drafts so stolen had fOred and collected through
the express companies The first Of these drafts was
presented several weeks ago at the Bank OF North
America by the National Express Company, and was
paid without hesitation upon the Endorsement OF the
Express Company. The draft drawn by Richardson
Co.. druggists. OF st. Louis, upon the Bank of North
America, to the order of j. c. Aver Co., OF Lowell
Mass to pay bill j. c. Aver Co., not receiving the
draft and writing to St. Louis to that effect Richardson
Co. looked the paid drafts which had been re-
them and discovered that the signature of j.
C. Aver & Co. had been forged When the matter was
brought the attention of the Natopal Express Com
pauy the following facts were developed;
Early IN February man arrived in Troy, giving his
name as w W. Gray agent for lumber from the Saginaw
mills Michigan He hired an office. and then devoted
himself gaining the confidence of the Express Com
pany by receiving several small packages, marked
"money" being identified by the owner of the building
In which he had rented Office. Finally this $4,000
draft was ntrusted them for collection and upon the
return Of the money, with directions to be careful to
give the right person, Gray received it, being den
titled by the Of the building Upon getting the
money he left Troy 1t is supposed that this man has
some confederate who robS the mails OF these drafts
which are then forged and collected this way. The
pony will explain his plau of operations;
There is n man travelling about the country under
various assumed names swindling express companies
w. Gray, X ID. Randall, = DAVIS, - Bogert. HIS
plan Of operation is ths he goes INTO plsoe and rep
himself being an agent for some concern IN
the West other part Of the country hires deskroom
with some respectable person, issues business catSi @
way package OF money or puTportiDe 10 De money
being told that ne must be identined ne brings
the persons of whom he has rented his Office on THIS
three days another package generally of larger
amount the first This style OF business he Keeps
has got acquainted gained the confidence OF express
clerks then he sends genuine drafts (which we suppose
are stolen from the mai for COLLECTION, with forged
Endorsements 1t is necessary before these drafts can
DE collected for some one to indorse them on Denal
of the express cOmpanythus making the express com
pauy responsible for all the previous Endorsements
When the money is returned this man calls Tor IT, ana
having gained the confidence and become known 10
those IN tes money Is b tbe
Sis man Is rom IS to % years OF age hight
IL INCHES; slim built weight, 10 pounds rather long
has look red as though his eyes weak shsF
high cheek s bones 10 a eoes dark
brown small night mustaohe quick in his movements
nervous temperament; dark clothes black silk
hat processes TO be religious easily inspires confidence
Keep sharp lookout TOR and should he pre-
sent himself take his drafts for collection and inform
this Office OF your suspicious Immediately by telegraph
that we may take steps for his arrest THIS man has
already succeeded In swindng this company and all OF
the prominent express companies for large amounts
In all these cases the Express Companies are the
losers. The Bank OF North America loses nothing,
the money viii be returned upon the affidavit Of Dr. j.
C. Aver & Co. Twice before forged drafts have been
paid by them the way for 500 and once for
$1,000 This time they came from Rochester, n. Y, from
n man calling himself Davis The Adams Express Com
pany has quite heavily during the past few months
in this way as well the Merchants Union 1t is not
known that any forged drafts have been presented to
any other banks None Of the originals of the $4,000 In
drafts the National Bank Of Commerce. stoen from
the malls on Jan. 81, have been presented. The Post
Oce authorities in this city have received informa-
tlon as to the robberies.