The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-28
A SINGULAR FORGERY CASE,

The Two DromiOs-H0w q Draft Went
Astray-A Merchant and . Waterman
with Similar Cognomcns-A Banker
'sTaken In"-Custodian Mackenzie's
Kind Solicitude Unappreciated-EieId
for Examination.
On the 30th day Of June last the onice of Classon
& Hayes, bankers and brokers, doing business at
No. 8 Broad street, was visited by two men, who
inquired for Mr.. Hayes brother. Being informed
that the gentleman was absent they asked for Mr..
Hayes Of the firm. On his appearance the men
presented 20 him draft for SSS "a on the Metro
politan National Bank Of this city, drawn On the
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, OF
Milwaukee. and payable to Messrs. Goodrich, Terry
& Co., OF that city, or their order. The man who
handed Mr. Hayes the draft introduced him.
self as William K. Mackenzie, and stated that
he wished to get the draft cashed, but, as he was
not known at the Metropolitan Bank, he was un-
able to obtain any money upon 1t at that institu-
ton. Mr.. Hayes mildly insinuated that as he did
not know the visitor any better than the bank
cashier did, he also would not be able to cash the
draft; but the applicant meekly remarked that ne
was the night Waterman for his brother in Fifty.
fourth street, and raising the lapel OF his coat
exhibited badge that proclaimed him q deputy
shefi1f also.
Mr. Hayes naturally thought that all was right
emergency, sent one Of his clerks to the Union
Bank with the draft to get his signature identified
and then sent 1t to the Metropolitan Bank, re-
ceived the amount named on the face OF the draft
and handed 1t over to Mackenzie.
few days subsequently Mr.. Hayes received
word that the signature OF William A Mackenzie
on the draft mentioned was forgery, and he was
requested to return the amount.
Now. 1t seems that Mr.. william A. Mackenzie, OF
10 College place, Is wine merchant, who enjoys
an extensive Western trade. while another Will
liam Uh OF Ea TyvoY
ty-f0urth street, is night Waterman. In the early
part Of June last the firm OF Goodrich, Terry
Co., Of Milwaukee, Wis.,, received the draft,
requesting q remittance IN payment therefor.
Much to their surprise the Milwaukee firm replied
that they had forwarded their draft for the amount
OF the bill 1888 74), drawn on the Wisconsin Fire
and Life Insurance Company Bank, duly endorsed
by them, and payable at the Metropolitan National
Bank OF New York, where said draft had been
honored and the money paid thereon.
Mr. Hayes, on being informed of the imposition
that had been practised upon him. at once reported
force, who at once detailed Detectives Dilks and
fully to work up the case: Alter careful i9yesti:
fallen into the hands of Mackenzie, who was the
nocturnal custodian and not the dealer In vinous
beverages After considerable trouble the detec-
tves discovered Waterman Mackenzie, and found
that he was the man who, in company with his
father, George d; Mackenzie, of 942Third avenue,
had presented the draft. They also ascertained
that he was not deputy sherin, and that the
badge of Office he had exhibited to Mr.. HAYES was
equally bogus with the draft.
The officers arrested the Mackenzies father and
son, and caused their incarceration at Head
quarters, where they were Unidentified by Mr..
Hayes this morning, and subsequently taken before
Judge Hogan at the Tombs Police Court and com
mitted for examination.
The prisoner william A. Mackenzie, on his formal
examination, said that he was twenty-seven years
OF age, and native OF New York and night watch
man by occupation. He admitted having received
the draft and getting 1t cashed at Mr.. Hayes ONCE
put pleaded In extenuation that the draft had come
into his hands by mistake, and that he had de-
posted the proceeds Of 1t In the Seamen's Savings
Bank, to await the appearance OF the rightiul
owner.