The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-14
RTFFLARD'S RUN.
An Exciting Chase AFTER nm Alleged Forrer-
Caught In Fire Escape.

Superintendent Walling was called upon
two weeks ago by several merchants and bank
ers. who complained that they had been victim
lied by an expert forger. The man was de-
scribed as OF fine appearance with gentemanly
and business-like ways. He was always ele-
gantly dressed. and in every case when pre-
senting check he gave ms reference
some well-known merchant Capt Kealy OF
the detective squad selected Detectives Rad
ford. Dunn. and Reilly. three OF his cleverest
officers. to visit the merchants who had COM
planned and endeavor to get a perfect descrip-
ton Of the man and OF his operations.
To the utter astonishment OF the police. re-
ports OF new forgeres camo In faster and faster.
Here tailor had paid t75 on a worthless
check, there joweller n hotel keeper or some
other business man was victimized. As n last
resort, Chief Walling ordered general alarm
10 be sent out ordering officers to inform bust
meas mon on their posts to look out for this ex-
traordin9ry and unknown forger. The Inspect
ors OF Police sent for the Captains in their dis
tricts. and gave special instructions to look
out for the nun.
At O'Clock last night. as Police Captain Will
stood at Twentieth street and Broadway n gen
tleman came running 10 TO them. and. pointing
To an elegantly dressed man who was leisurey
smoking and walking in advance. said oxcit-
edly; I'm
Quick as flash the man turned round. and
throwing away his cigar, he fairly bounded up
broadway.
Capt. Williams called for him to stop or he
would shoot him. Tho man. q perfect athlete
~ appearance, only increased his speed. Capt
Williams fired into the air to intimidatc him,
but that had no effect Several police officers
and citizens attracted by the shooting Joined in
the chase. but the fugitive outdistanced them
all
At Twenty second street he turned into Fifth
| avenue, There he leaped railing in front OF
achurch. and for minute disappeared. Tho
police now in force surrounded the entire
block. They scaled gates and entered
private houses. merely telling tho alarmed
inmates that n thief was in their rear
yards. Roundsman Price. who had gained adj
mittancc to the roof Of Ia residence In Twenty
second street. finally saw the fugitive crouching
in yard. He gave the alarm. fired his pistol,
and the hue and cry was again started.
Detective Schmittshurger. who is tall and
| Suddenly Rounisman Price shouted to him to
| look out. that the man was climbing up n fire.
| escape. Schmittsburger followed. and caught
| the fugitive half way up the escape.
" Surrender" cried the detective "or shoot
| you where you nre" The man then consented
| TO 40 to the police station.
Joseph W. RiniaEd, the, captured man, is q
rs trusted clerk In n leading bank. and was
| discharged on being detected in forging sigma
tures, He resides at 30 East Twenty FIRST street
| Capt. Williams last night had the following
| gentlencn.who had been yictimized 10y Rifllard.
| called To recoc4ize him: Samuel Shelter of 54S
| Broadway. J. Purcell OF 9l0 Broadway r. b.
Petty Of Chambers street and Broad
| Eleventh street. jacques and Mosques. Union
| Square jewellers. Besides these came number
| OF tradespeople all OF whom had forged checks
which Klfhard had passed upon them