The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-30
4 BOSTON MERCHANTS CRIME.
Forging Papers 60 the Amount OF $50, 900
Acknowledging his Guilt.


Acknowledging his CUNT.
BosToS, June 29.-The discovery Of for
geries. to the amount OF $50. 600 committed by
Capt James +. Edmands. who lives in New
ton. but is in the -four and commission busi-
ness in this city has caused an excitement in
business and social circles unequalled since
the downfall OF John q. Tappan. Edmands Ia
brother OF the late J. Wiley Edmands. whose
wonderful success in managing the affairs Of
the Pacific Mills. In Lawrence gave him a
national reputation as a man OF rare business
qualifications. James was also an energetic
business man. implicitly trusted by a large
circle OF friends. and the cause OF his downfall
is an inexplicabe mystery to them. EdmHnds
has been under police surveillance since last
Tuesday. but II was not until yesterday that a
formal arrest was made by direction Of the
OF forging the name Of Amasa Gratis 10 a four
months note for 5000. On being confronted
with the evidence of his crime. Edmands was
completely prostrated. and acknowledged his
guilt. Further than this. he refused to talk
hut IN an interview to-day with Asa p Potter
President ofthe Maverick Bank. Sun reporter
cleaned the following facts:
Mr.. Edmands was accustomedt to designate
where the notice OF the notes which he forged
should be sent, believing that by this means he
might escape discovery and arrange to meet, In
1t is the rule at the Maverick Bank to always
send note 10 the makers place OF business
IN hplle OF any ulFectlOn given uy hnyDOuy, no
matter what his credit or the amount OF his de-
posit in the bank. Two weeks ago a note was
presented at the place OF business OF Sands Il
Fernald. and by them pronounced forgery.
The next morning came TO Boston and went
at once to sec Edmhnds's brother-in-law.
Amasa Crafts. some Of whose paper knew, in
the course OF business. had been ont Stating
the case 10 MIN, II soon appeared that his name
carriage and drove TO Newton and went to Mr.
Edmands's house. At the door | was told that
he was sick. and. although the urgency Of the
NNmN
was too sick to see anybody. The next morn
ing received note from Mr. Edmands to this
effect
last evening would have insisted on seeing you
=, That day.,of course. rumors regarding Mr..
Edmands began TO 6e talked about, and the
friends Ot that gentleman exerted themselves
TO form combination by which all claims might
De met and an exposure avoided. While en-
Gr. Edmands came 70 the ofiieers Of Of the Maver
lex Bank and said that there was some paper
out amounting perhaps to 10000. and urged
the desirability OF relieving Mr.. Edmands II 1t
were possba. Their Investigations during the
rest OF that day made 1t evident that besides the
$4,000 which they were prepared to take up.
there were other notes amounting to $4,000,
On Thursday morning the investigation dis
closed the fact that there was another note out.
and later in the day II was ascertained that
there were further sums due OF which they had
no knGT;iedge or & hint TheTs had been sey,
srnd ond 3e'we.n ut hdnands sau l,s
had made. as he declared. full and
frank statement OF liabilities and the
dence in Mr.. kdmAnds's word was shaken. and
with the uncertainty regarding the actual
Amount 9I forged nStes out IL was oi course.
templated. The notes continually increased
until the aggregate was $4,000. at least, and
there was no certainty Whatever that the list
was complete. The friends OF Edmands stopped
all negotiations, and affairs were allowed TO
take their own course. On Tuesday the authOr-
ties of the Maverick Bank. satisfied that forgery
had been committed, and being anxious to
secure their interests in any event. took out an
attachment on Mr. Edmands's estate in Newton.
and Onicer Hersom was placed in charge OF the
premises. He remained there until yesterday.
when the negotiations to keep the matter quiet
by settling all claims were suspended and the
case was put in the hands Of other officers"
The exact amount OF the forged notes uttered
Maverick Bank has Ell 900; the Exchange Ma
tlonal and the Freeman National each SIG, 800 ;
al. $4,000; the City National $500 and the
Lechmere Bank Of Cambridge. $1,000 Other
banks outside the city are undoubtedly interest
ed. Then there are the forgeries Of the names
of Sands Il FernAld. who may have 10000
and the estate Of Amasa Crafts. Unendorsed
notes amounting to perhaps $4,000 on private
Edmandss available assets are small, although
before these disclosures were made II was sup
Mr. Edmands holds between 100000 and
100000 OF worthless railroad STOCK, whlch wonid
not bring a cent share II sold at auction, His
estate at Newton is mortgaRed for $1,000 TO
Lawrence Edmands. his brothers. son. Mr.. Ed
mands has always shown some Inclination TO
eXpeDsyeness in living. which, in one who was
supposed to have been less wealthy, would nave
been thought extravaganza. Edmhnds has a
brother, who, IL is said, committed forgery
some four or i've years ago. ana soon hlterWarh
disappeared. having gone. 1t ID supposed TO
This afternoon Edmands was brought from
Newton to this city. and will be arralgned to-
morrow If he Is able 10 appear in court,
Until these developments wero made II mad
been supposed that Capt. Edmunds was worth
from $50. 900 to 100000 as II was understood
when, about y,Gnr ngo hs retlreed e IRON le tne
on State street he received $4,000 in cash for
his share OF the business, IL ls not yet known
how long no has been utterlng iorged paper. or
IL the amounts above enumerated comprise the
whole OF his transactions, HIS general melhOd
was TO sign notes himself. forging the endorse
ments only--as OF course. an endorser Is never
notified save when the paper goes 10 protest {;
but in some instancrs he forged signatures.
How or why he came TO enter upon such course
ia mystery to all his friends, Dul II IL suited US
n probable cause that some six years ago no
lost about $4,000 by the mlsdOlngs OF atrusted
friend. ana subsequently,. to save TINT lrlrhh =
credit he and another hecHme responsible Tor
SOC 900 Between $50 900 and $4,000 Of this
amount has been paid of hy Caph EInands but
his friends are utterly al alQss 10 know whht no
has done with tho remainder OF MS properly
though II has been aScertalned tnht ne mas no
orally assisted others 10 his own financial detri-
The condition Of Capt Edmands this morn
ing was more favorable. He spoke but once
from Saturday until Sunday noon ANA then to
night and during the day. With the exception
of his relatives. no one has been allowed 10 see
him since Saturday. II is THOUGHT ne so VIZ III
is bordering on insanity. An EFFORT has been
made to procure Dal tor him In anticipation Oh
his arragnment but hs iar hs can Pe hsc9I-
tnined no one has consented TO FURNISH bonds
and il Is doubtful ifRny one will DO 30. His Tor
grrics, 1t Ia reported. have been going on Iour
or I've years.