Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-08
HE WAS WEAK, AND YIELDED.
Forged Inducements Committed by an Elk.
Pastor of q st. Paul Church, Who
Thought He Could Escape Discovery.

Forged Inducements Committed by an Ex.
Pastor OF a st. Paul Church, Who
Thought He Could Escape Discovery.
Startling discoveries were made in this
city yesterday, involving the reputation of q
man who has enjoyed the esteem of friends,
and whose character has borne the highest
marks for integrity. The mans name is F.
W. Traeger, formerly the pastor of the
German Methodist church of St. Paul, and
extensively known in this city. His fall
from grace dates back some three months
and is ascribed to an overambition to sud
denly amRss wealth.
The crime charged is that of forgery, which
consisted of forging the name of Mr.. John
81. Schurmeier, note of $1 ,500,sand using
the same at the Second National bank of
this city. The pecuniary success of the first
venture led to a second attempt in the same
direction, which led to the
detection of the crime yesterday morning.
AS related by himself it is difficult to con-
ceive how q man of ordinary Intelligence
could expect to foolishly conduct the sys-
tenn of neral turpitude observed without be-
ing brought to face the evidence of his guilt.
Hs seemed to realize the extent of his guilt
for the first time, when accused of the
crime, and his efferts at extenuation were
quite as childish as his course of action has
been inconsistent.
The circumstances of the forgery are as fol
lows: About three months ago f. w. Traegel
applied at the Second National bank for a loar
of 81 500 for six months, offering as security
note endorsed by Mr.. John 81. Schurmeier
The paper was closely scrutinizsd and. appear
ing genuine, the money was advanced, ant
with the ill-gotten wealth Mr.. Traeger went
his way.
Luckily or unluckily for him he had some
time previously quit the work of regeneratinl
sinners and gone into the business of raisin,
cattle, locating on tract of land near Shell
don, Iowa. Prosperity came, and with it tn
opportunities for temptation. In short time
he had more cattle than he knew what to d,
with, and this fall the amount OF stock on han(
was unusually large. 1t takes feed to keel
cattle alive over winter. and it requires money
to get feed.
Traeger had plenty of cattle, but no feed
If well fed his cattle would wax fat during th,
winter, and would bring money in the market
Il occurred to him that he must have money
and with the intention of lifting the notes be
fore they came due, undoubtedly, he commit
ted the forgery. Yesterday he attempted t.
negotiate another loan for $1,000. The not
was handed to Mr.. E. 8. Edgerton. president
of the bank, and he at once detected the ferg.
cry.
The note was sent to Mr.. Schurmeier, who a
once declared the signature forgery. Mean
time Traeger's suspioicns were aroused and
he left the bank. Il was supposed that b
left for Minneapolis, aud the case was givel
to Capt. CLARK, who proceeded te
that city to arrest the culprit
la the afternoon Traeger returned to the bank
and on being confronted with the evidences O
his guilt, acknowledged the crime. He thel
related his experience as stock raiser, and as
severated that he fully intended to lift tn
notes before they came due. He asked fol
clemancy, and offered all his worldly goods 81
security for the money. Mr.. Iraeger had no
been arrested last night, ana it is thought tina
the affair will be arranged SO as to avoid
criminal prosecution.