The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18
MRS. UNDERWOOD'S NOTES.
4 UELL-KNOWN LADY ACCUSED OF
COMMITTING FORGERY.
The Criminal Prosecution OF IA Woman who
Moves In the very Best Social Circles In
MIlwaukee-BelIer that She IL Innocent.

Rom me 1geautee s.a'asL
Milwaukee society has been much excited
over the arrest " Mrs. Sarah W. Underwood. ut
the instance Of Harvey s. Hayden. formerly OF
ihis city. but now Of Chicago. on the charge OF
tutoring forged paper. Although the warrant
the news gained general circulation. The lady
thus brought into unp leasant nOtoriety is high
ly respected. and numbers among her friends
some Of the first families Of the city. That their
| faith remains unshaken was evinced by the
residence. The complaint was filed in the
| Criminal Court. before Judge Mallory, and Mrs.
Underwood was brought thither. hut released
Ludngton becoming her principal surety.
Harvey ); HAYDEN AYERS in the complaint that
1873 had in her custody n certain forged prom
issory note for tho payment OF money. she
! knowing the same to be forged. and reading as
follows:
Nl,onp. Mass April TO- is7s.-Two month. after date
40 Kay ( Ts e STc MwS Sas VIZ Ssns E
cey. with interest at 10 per cent per annp alter date
1t WAS further averred that tho note was made
md executed by Albert g. Underwood Of this
city while It purported 10 be tho paner Of Avian
G. Underwood OF Milford Mass The District
Attorney and tho counsel for the accused Indy
agreed that the preliminary examination should
be posiponed until the goth inst.
Mr.. Hayden stated in tho hearing OF n repor-
ter that he wont East for the purpose OF inter-
viewing Mr. Underwood. and that the old gem
tlcmnn positively denied having signed the
Alynn g. Underwood is the father-in-law OF
MIS-. u Underwood. ana resides IN MILFORD. mNSS,
He was formerly cashier 81 bank there bpt
retired some time ago. He has reached his
seventeen year ana IL rrputed 10 pe worth
about s75.OO0. His initials are precisely the
same MS those Of his son. the husband OF the
accused, Albert g. Underwood. IL appears thai
the notes bear the signature. A, q. Under
wood" The son is u WORTHLESS fellow. and has
at different times been confined in nsylums in
this State and Illinois. including that ut Osh-
kosh. and OF late years has but nfrequently
been in Milwaukee,. and then for only n few
days ut n time. He spends most OF his time in
There are similar notes outstanding In this
city To the amount Of about $4,000. The hold
ers. as near as can be learned, are us follows;
John j. ortog,c sic1'IIeyPeIt Rac s e goo
Harrison Ludinston hillary S Hayden. 1870
Ms. . Bo.worti 100 Total .......... sis2Oo
Whether these notes are genuine or iorgeries.
and ii the latter. by whom executed, Is Quos-
ton that careful investigation throws but
little light upon. John J. Orion. VIII nppenrs
MS the attorney Of Mrs. Up}derw9od. refused e
word" ms he expressed himself
Allen johnson. Of johnson, Smith Co..
Mrs. Underwood sent one, Of them to the
cashier Of the First National Bank" he con-
tinueu. " and II was presented to Avian O. I'm
derwood who SAID that 1t did not make any diff
ference about the note, Us 1 would be paid when
Mr. Underwood objected TO the note; Mr. John;
| son thereupon personally visited Milford. and
Mr. Underwood did not deny the note when
! presented. Mr.. johnson WIS assured that II
| would be paid when due in this city and that by
| exposing 1t he would cause trouble. An attach-
ment suit WIS then commenced. certain prop
| erty IN Newton. near Boston. owned by Mr.. I'm,
derwood. being attached. The suit Is still
Although ex-Gov. LudinRton could not be
| found II WIS stated on undouhted authority
! that he had no desire TO assist in the prosecu-
ton. This Is borne out 10y the fact that he be-
cnme the principal surety. ID. w. Linheld, who
was brought up, near and is well acquainted
| interrogatories. virtually admitted that some Of
the paper was In his possession. He said
terms pronounced her innocent a. the
ugly crime that i was ATTEMPTED to i@sten
and scrupulously honest. or the old gentleman
| and his son. Mr.. Linfeld declined 10 speak al.
though the tenor Of his conversation was not
exactly in their favor. The subsequent effort q
ferret ont the party suspected of the forReries
| ed thut there was crook edness hut on the par
Of whom was not sPsed Up theT Tc T
of her father. in-law and OF her husband, and
another that she was aware OF the forgeries. az
Mrs. Underwood. outside Of her social posi.
| ton. is more or less prominent. Not long since
ZOO 1t is said. Her luck then suddenly
turned. and she not only lost this sum, but more
with it. gentleman who Is acquainted with
her history said she WINS the neatest scalper evei
In this city. II Is unaccnuntable how she spent
q great deal Of money. She is, a petite woman OF
fine appearance and polished manners. with
command OF language that betokens education.
When a reporter called upon her at her resi-
dencr. j49 Van Buren, street last evening. she
was very cooi and seli-possessed. and readily
entered into conversation.
II think right will right ITSELF" she said.
" and | only ask my friends TO withhold their
Judgment until the real facts are brought out.
| have been unwise. rash. inludicious. ex-
tremely SO. ! specialized Tor five years. and
when my inner judgment counselled me to stop.
l continued. But strong men have records the
same. Ny attorney has even Guarrelled with
me- to compromise by paying twenty-five cents
on the dollar but | refused will pay dollar
for dollar. or none. My sons wanted me- TO give
up our house and go and live with them in q
little home. said no; | have the nerve, and
will carry this out 10 the end. One Of my dear
est friends has one Of those notes. and has faith
Have you any. objection to stating where
those come from ?"
Tint will come out on the trial. As regards
granted and received in that family that money
Will never repay. rs is we'll known by mutual
friends. Further than this do pot care to say