New-York tribune., 1880-01-06
J. LLOYD HAIGH ARRESTED.

OF HIS GUILT-DErAILs OF THE FORGERY
100000 IN WORTHLESS ACCEPTANcEs-THE
SCENE AT THE DIsTRICT-ATToENEY'S OFFICE
CONDITION OF THE GRoCERs' BANK.
The extensive foPgeries affecting the GrGcers'
Bank, concerning which THE TRIBUNE gave
full and exclusive information ON Saturday
last, resulted yesterday in the arrest OF j.
Lloyd Haigh, VINO was indicted for forgery In
the third degree at noon, and few hours later
was arrested and taken to the TOmbs. de had
previously confessed that he had forged ac-
ceptances to the amount of nearly 500, 1000.
1t is now said that he committed other fOrgerles
some years ago.
THE CONFESSION AND THE INDICTMENT.
The recent closing of the Grocers' Bank was due
mainly to the discovery of series of forgeres which
involved nearly one-half the capital of the bank.
Yesterday J. Lloyd IIaigh, by whom the forged
paper was negotiated was arrested upon the charge
of forgery The details of the discovery OF the
crime were given exclusively in The TRIBUNE on
Saturday. Since then Mr.. Haieh has made repeated
denials of the fact that any forgeries had been
made or discovered. 1t appears, however,
that he has been under surveillance ever
since December 90. On the day before
Christmas lie opened an account at the Market
National Bank. He was introduced by one of the
most prominent depositors. and deposited $4,000
in Western acceptances. Mir. Gilbert, the cashier
of the bank noticed that none of the acceptances.
although they were frst-class names, were made
payable at any bank. The persons whose names
appeared on the paper written to, and on De-
cember 90 two of them telegraphed TO the bank
reply that if the bank held their paper it was
forged.
The bank at once took steps TO protect itself.
On examining the account of Mr.. Haigh, it found
that he had sufficient funds standing his credit to
more than make the forged paper good. This was
at once charged to his account
Meanwhile Mr. Haigh had been sent for by the of
fcers of the Market Bank. who good
deal astonished to find one who had been so highly
recommended by Oh their oldest depositors. and
had also been vOuched for by the officers OF the
Grocers Bank as in every way worthy OF confidence,
involved in criminal transactions. The attendance of
an officer was procured, and it was intended to give
the suspected man into custody if he did not make
satisfactory explanation. Mr.. Haigh came. He was
profuse in his declarations that he knew nothing of
the character of the forged papers. He had
branch house in Chicago he said, and it was from
this source that the paper was received. he would
dispatch messenger West that very night TO clear
up the matter Something in his manner led the
bank officers to believe that he knew more OF the
forged paper than his explanation indicated. He
was told that his story deemed weak one, and
he was questioned very closely. He became con-
fused then, and broke down utterly.
COMPOSING HIS GUILT.
Finally, under the close questioning of the bank
officers the guilty confessed that he alone was
to blame in tine matter. The story of the paper
coming through the Chicago house admitted to
be an untruth He had forged tho paper. he said
intending to take it up before it became due. His
own notes were attached, and these matured one
month before the aceeptances became due. He nat
uraly expected that the bank would not trouble
other persons, but would first notify to him. He
said the forged acceptances amounted probably to
nearly quite 100000.
The officers of the GroccrG' Bank at once
sent for. They also had discovered that their bank
held a considerable amount of the forged paper
Haigh was turned over to them, as they wished to
avail themselves of his knowledge of the forged
paper to ascertain the actual condition of the bank
Since then Haigh has been under surveillance, al
though allowed to go to his place Of business and
his home
Joseph Periam the cashier of the Grocers' Bank
and S. V. White. the receiver, yesterday were be-
fore the Grand Jury and testified at length as to
the forgeries of Mr. Haigh. On their testimony be
was indicted for forgery in the third degree The
indictment sets forth that, j. Lloyd Hagh, did
on August 2S 1879 forge bill of exchange for
accepted by c. Sidney Norris & Co., of Baltimore,
Md with intent to injure and defraud the Grocers'
Bank of the City of New-YOrk"
This Indictment w2s given at by District
Attorney Phelps to Detectives Field and OConnor,
with instructions to arrest the accused man
as possible.
THE FORGKR TAKEN TO THE TOMBs.
The officers proceeded at once to Mr.. Haigh's place
of business at.No 81 John-st and found him there,
engaged with his signee Mr.. Foster, in endeavor-
ing to stralghten up his affairs. He told that
he must consider himself under arrest. He asked
for time TO send for some friends and this was
granted. At 3 D. m. he was taken TO the District
Attorneys office. There lie soon joined by his
counsel, Mr.New cOmbe, who endeavored 10 have the
amount OF bail fixed. The District Attorney
peremptory refused to listen to any proposition for
bail at that time. Judge Gidersleeve signed the
commitment of the prisoner 10 the City Prison Mr..
Foster the assignee of Mr. Hagh, and several other
friends came in at this time. They also were
anxious TO have bail accepted They were told that
IT was useless to talk further about the matter;
that the prisoner must be committed 10 the IOmbs.
Up to this time Mr. Haigh had borne himself with
considerable composure. After, the discovery
Of his forgeries he persisted in declaring
that he could make good az the forged
paper and seemed to think de aK naGds that . tins
of his violation of the law. When he found that
he must be locked up, no broke down, and wept
time and left the District Attorneys office with
the officers. The party stopped at restaurant on
the ana ObtHlncu IuucH, anu tHcH prOCecueu
directly to the Tombs. The usual questions
asked aud answered and the prisoner was then
consigned to cell No. 80 the second tier recently
occupied by William Kelly, and usually set aside
for forgers and burglars,
CREDITORS LOOKING AFTER THEIR INTERESTS.
One of the heaviest creditors of Mr.. HaIgh is tho
firm of Anderson g. Co., manufacturers of iron and
steel at Pttsburg Penn. X. j. Anderson, the senior
member OF the finn. has been in the city several
DAYS looking aft er his interests, and endeavorng to
ascertain how Mr. Haighs affairs stand friend
OF his said Yesterday that Mr. Haigh probably
Indebted TO the firm TO the amount of 100000 or
SI25,OOO How much of this is a loss will depend,
= tha atc in he haud4 Of the