The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-15
OLETER FORGERs BIFFLED.
Obtainina Morton, Biis- a. Corrpany's Cheek,
hut not Realizing ON n.

A well-dressed man. about 30 years OF age,
having the manner and appearance Of brisk
downtown broker or merchant. entered the
Hotel Beaconsneld. at 2 Irving place. on
Thursday afternoon. and ordered liquor
ut the bar. Mr.. Burrows. the proprietor.
was standing near by. and noticed that
the man had been drinking pretty freely. Ap-
preaching Mr.. Burrows. the stranger extended
his hand with the remark: " | guess YOU don't
know me. do your" Mr.. Burrows. who has had
charge " many hotels in this city and Mt water
ing places. thought the man had been his guest
at some time. and replied that his face was fa-
miliar. but he could not recall his name. The
stranger said he was Charles Baker. junior
partner Of the firm Of n j. Baker 4 Brother
wholesale druggists nj 2l5 penrl street and had
frequently boon Mr. Burrows's guest.
Mr. Baker. Mr.. Burrows saws. had consider
able sum ~ money. and after ordering several
drinks. expressed desire to see the apart
mcnts OF the hotel Mr.. Burrows showed him
through the house. Mr.. Baker talked largely
and critcisrd freely. The furniture the up
holstcry. the frcscoing. and other appointments
wcrc not fine enough to SUIT biz taste.
Mr. Burrows saw that MIR. Bakers vision was
distorted by too much liquor. and to get rid Of
NJ n hotel to meet Mr.. Bakers ideas. To this
Mr.. Baker replied that Mr.. burrows could have
all the money he wanted, and he took out Of his
pocket check for tl0.427.79 signed by Morton
i'liss y Co. payable to thc order Of II. ! B,ker
SakRgIfP iB iothe Tc c3crT BN TS endorsed H. D.
There" Mr. Baker said you take TINT and
get II cashed at my bank Take n 81 900 or
got over this spree"
Mr. Burrows took the check Tor safe keeping
believing II unsafe 10 let Mr. Baker carry IL in
his intoxicated condition.
Mr. Baker stayed for some time in the hoto
and Mr.. Burrows nut away tho check. The
moro the latter r. Effected, the moro be- doubted
Mr.. Bakers identity. He had seen the man be-
fore. but he was sure mat he then, went 10y an
other name. Finally hc went to IT, J. Baker 4
Brothers Office and showed the check. Tho
firm was puzzled. " Tho check serms to he gen
unc' one II the partners said, but wa never
endorsed II. our signature on the back is GER
taiuy n forgery"
Mr. burrows and y member of the firm wont
nj once To Morton. Bliss n Co.'S bank and the
case was soon cleared up. Mr. Cross the Wee
President Of the hank. explained the issuing Of
thor check for tlo 427 - as follows:
ON Wednesday. the 18th inst. n young. man
came To- the hank and introduced himself rs n
member 90 the firm II Baker 4 Brother. He
ofcntiou tu y Victorious 4 sons Liverpool and
wrrc nuthorzd To- drnw On the consignecs at 80
DAYS SIGHT. lie showed letters shipping bills
and other papers that satisfied Mr. Gross that
ih" transaction was. AL right. aud after some
inquiries he ca.hcd Baker \ Co.'S draft Tor
- 7jg. giving Morton. Bi-s Co. : check for
tloi27o7. tn" cheek. at young Mr.. Bakers
request. was made payable To- the firm - Baker
Il Brother. Mr.. Cross had never su- pected that
tho ttausactiOn WAS fraudulent unti Baker 4
Brother denied their connection with the bust
Detectives Radford Of the Police Central
oiiir". and Davies. IN the employ ~ Morton.
fraudulent Baker. and at about noon on Friday
they arrested him near th. Academyof Music.
They also arrested Frank M"pouough. a young
man about ~ wears Of No.. who called ~ the
Hotel Bcncou-f.h to inpur" for Baker There
Is no evidence TINT no. Is connected with the
case. At the Police Central once Baker re-
fused Co give any account OF himself. His name
is entered IN the bloucr as c. Baker alias Wal
ter Whelplry.
II" wns brought before Justice Duffy In the
FONTS Police Court. yesterday. His face was
haggard. his eyes wild. aud he seemed To- De- re-
covering from a long and severe dehauch. Mr..
Burrows. Detective George Rldford. Mr.. Il. J.
Cross. member ~ the firm 81 Morton. bliss
g. Mr. Is foTresi.r Of IN" hrm 81 Baker
brothers. testified TO the facts Of the obtaining
81 the check. and To- the forgery
when asked what he had 10 say 20 the charge.
Bakcr answered. IN a trembling voice:
Your Honor. plead guilty. | am ship
ping broker by occnpaiion; Three months as.o
failed in business. From had. | went to worse
uniil driven "a desperation. took 70 drinking.
NV home was broken up and did not care To
live. am guilty and want to be punished
hut please do so quickly"
Justice DufTy fully committed him In 5000
snperntendcnt walling thinks that tho forgor
l. W. W. Whelpley who. IN 1858; swindled 4 j.
Fitch, a Jersey city lumber dealer ont 81 t27.-
ono worth q lumber by means Of bogus checks
.r drafts. He yontrivel to send the lumber 10
England. and drew against it hero. In this
way ne received u large proportion of the
81 uoo hut although he ultimately went 20
England for th" purpose, he failed 20 rcali1"
ported to Van pieman Land for II Years. His
torn ~ impr- lnment expired lnst year ani he
other side u the glonc. a. me- place where h.
operated SO successfully without being caught
II Bnker Is whelplcv. he became acquainted
with Burrows when living NJ the Everett House
- years ago Burrows hrothrr kept that
hotel then. and Burrows himself was clerk
remembrance Of Baker without being able 10
place him.