The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-23
LOCAL MATTERS.


The Ressford Forgery Case--A Mystery.
One day last week young man named
Claiming p. Redford. relative of gentle
man employed as book.keeper fer Thomas
Branch &. Co., was sent out by his relative
with number Of bills to collect. One was
against T. Fl. Elicit, who paid. it with a
check drawn in favor Of the firm. RedfoId
endorsed it, and after bank-hours had it
cashed by Bodeker Brothers. Last Satur-
day the matter was made public. Redford
had, however, left the city the night be-
fore.
Mr.. Bodeker employed Priyate-detective
KpoX to work up the case, and in few
DAYS Rcdiord was arrested in Baltimore, as
was telcsraphed here in the Associated
Press dispatches. Mr.. Knox called upon
the Commonwcalth's Attorney and ac-
quainted him with the circumstances Of the
forgery, and with the fact that Rcdford was
then under arrest. He asked il reQuiSi-
ton could be obtained, and was referred to
the Secretary OF the Commonwealth. a re-
qusition was obtained, and Mr.. Knox was
authorized as the agent OF the State to re-
ceive-th prisoner.
Wednesday Mr.. Knox telegraDhed from
Baltimore that the prisoner had been turned
| loose.
Captain George D. Wise at onceaddrcssed
communication to the Commonwealth's
| Attorney Of Baltimore, asking him for an
explanation.
The Baltimore american OF yesterday
contained the following:
&C. P. Rcdford, OF Richmond, Va, who
was arrested in this city on Tuesday,
charged with forging check for 1881 SO,
was Yesterday delivered by the police au-
thoriles to Detective Wren, OF Richmond,
and the two lett for that city in The after
noon"
Detective John Wren, who returned to
the city Yesterday, states that he knows
nothing whatever about the alleged escape
of Young Redford. The first intmation he
received OF that fact was from prominent
citizen of Richmond, who called his attcn-
ton TO an announcement OF it. in the Balli-
more Sun as they were on their way TO
Richmond Yesterday morning i'll the cars.
Mr.. Wren states that he went to Washing
ton on other business, which subsequently
took him to Baltimore; but that he made no
demand for Rcuford, us he had no authority
| to do so. He has since learned that party
renresentng himself TO he John Wren pre-
sented himself at The detective agency oil
Smith, Yves: & Lyons, in Baltimore, to whom
the prisoner was surrendered by Lyons, who
was not acquainted with Detective Wren.
This party is described, Mr. Wren says, as
man about six feet high, and differing in
appearance entirely from Wren OF this city
He took charge of young Redford, and
neither OF them have since been heard OF
Mr.. Knox returned to the city yesterday
by the York River train.
A reporter OF this paper had convcrsa'
ton with the Mcssrs. Bodeker yesterday
evening. They knew nothing about what
happened in Baltimore, but had been told
that il Redford wasn't brought back tc
Richmond they would get their money.
The following telegram was received las
night from reliable gentleman:
BALTIMORE, May %, 1879.
"The private detective firm that made
the arrest say RedTord left here yesterday
in the custody Of Detective Wren, OF Rich
mond, and IN uncle OF accused accompa
MED thcm.'