The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-10
FORGERY ON THE ST. NICHOLAS BANK

Capture OF the FOFger-Ho Stimulates
Painting and Betrays His Confcdcr-
atcs-Numcrous Arrests Expected.
Yesterday afternoon at q few minutes before
three O'Clock James Fl. Drake, well known forger.
was captured at the st. Nicholas National Bank,
Broad street, while endeavoring to defraud that
institution OF $3.50 by means OF false check payable
to the order Of Messrs. Colgate. The following Is
the history OF the case as told by one OF the prom
ncnt officers or the bank Last Friday Mr.. Henry
Levy, customer Of ours doing business In Maiden
lane, came to the bank, accompanied by the
prisoner to deposit draft for 800, which was to
he sent out to the Fourth National Bank at Gin
cinnati for collection, and against which Levy gave
his check for q similar amount to Drake. This
morning telegram was received from the Gin
cinnati bank stating 1t was bogus. short time
afterwards Drake came in and presented check
purporting TO be signed py Henry Levy 4 Brothers
THE FORGERY WAS VERY CLUMSY,
and the teller immediately saw that the document
was not worth the paper 1t was written on, and
made signal 10 Thompson, the Ianftor, to collar
the forger. He failed TO understand It, but the
janltor strove TO make q prisoner OF him. After
violent struggle he rushed down the high steps OF
the bank into Broad street. pursued by the lanitor
and showing n clean PAIR OF heels. He had not run
many yards in the direction OF Wan street before
he was seen by Detective Officers Bennett and
Clapp, who. suspecting mischief, grasped the flying
forger seeing he was IN the hands OF the law,
made clean breast and told ct once that he had
forged check on the st. Nicholas Bank, thereby
emitting himself TO nye years. Imprisonment, at
least.
AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.
Drake now realized his position and attempted
TO faint aud threw himself down on the sidewalk,
rolling his eyes, shaking his head nom side TO slde
and making n quiyering motion with his arms and
legs, az Il afflicted with palsy. The detectives, VINO
knew full well that all this was mere counterfeit
stoodby their PROSTATE prisoner ready TO use their
pistols in case any OF his coniederates should at
lice expression, the 'houncen was played and the
final roll over on the sidewalk had been finished,
and Drake consented TO use his legs and go to
DURANGO VILE
with his captors. Accordingly stage was hailed
In Broadway, and the three started or for Police
Headquarters.
During the ride the prisoner became very COM
munlcatye, and told the police officers about the
layer down OF checks''-f. e., presenting them for
payment; and IL ia believed that before many
hours have elapsed q NUMBER OF these "cr0ssn
men will be In custody.
he was searched by order Of Captain Irving, and
several
FORGED CHECKS
were found In his possession including one for $780,
signed by 3. A. Busick, superintendent He Is TO
be seen to-day ut nine O'Clock by people who have
been victimizcd by bogus checks
The prisoner says he Is twenty -four years OF age,
was born In this city, and has recently been EN-
ployed ut dry goods store IN Cincinnati. lie
wears white silk hat and buzz coat, has black
hair, dark brown eyes, and Is quick and active
looking. Great credit is due TO Police Superinten-
dent Matseli for sending extra detectives down to
Wall and Broad streets to look ont for thieves. The
Stock Exchange recently placed room IN their
building at the disposition or the police, and a new
war on thieves Is TO be Inaugurated