Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-12-21
A CLEVER SWlNDLE.
An Alleged sheep Raiser Swindles q
Texas Bank.

DALLAS, TEXAS, December 20.-On Nov.
q the cashier of the City National Bank of
Dallas, received letter from George NJ
Balm, Jr., cashier of the Exchange National
Bank of Norfolk, Va, stating that they had
Issued draft on the Hanover National
Bank of New York, for So 300 in favor of
George Coleman. As Coleman Is a stranger
in Dallas Nj Balm enclosed Coleman's
photograph and signature, by means of
which he could be identified. AS future
means of identifying the cashiers sigma
.ure to the letter and draft Coleman was
given $40 bill of the Exchange National
Bank with Mr.. Bains signature expressly
written. The bill was in COleman's posses
sion. but the fact of such bill being in
tended for the purpose of Identification
fully set forth in the cashiers letter. Cole
man, in day or two, made his appearance
at the cashiers desk of the City National
Bank. His documents were closely eX-
amined and everything pronounced to be
In Regular Order.
The photo corresponded with the sp-
pearanCe Of Coleman, the signature was the
same, and the money was paid on the
draft. AS Coleman expressed a desire to
have further relations with the bank, hav-
ing come TO Texas to engage in the sheep
business he was asked to leave his sigma
ture for future reference. the draft was
sent to New York in the usual course of
business, where it was honored by the
Hanover National bank. On Saturday last
Coleman started into the City National
bank between the hours of noon and three,
when the heaviest run of business is had at
the counter, and went straight forward to
the cashiers office. He was Immediately
recognized by the cashier, +. J.
Ginnon. He asked the cashier 10
cash draft of the same Norfolk bank on
another of his correspondents, the Nation
al Park bank, New York, for $500. The
signature to the draft was compared with
that of the letter first brought. The two
coincide perfectly. His identity was
clearly established, and his Endorsement to
the draft was an exact reproduction of that
left with the bank. The man only wanted
Sc 100 cash, and wished the balance, which
he would call for in few days, placed to
his credit. Sixty.one hundred dollars,
consisting mostly of fifty and one hundred
dollar bills, were paid over. He was in
yited into the directors room to verify the
count There he went, and it was only
when he was handling the bills that the
cashier discovered
ABIue Mark
upon the back of his hand, Mr.. Ginnon en-
deavored to draw him into conversation but
could not get q satisfaetorynswer Coleman
saying he'd see him later. He appeared
very nervous as he left the bank. This
aroused the suspicious of the cashier, who
Immediately telsgrsphed the bank of Nor.
folk. The answer came, mo such draft
has been issued. The man must be a
fraud" A second telegram closely follow
ed confirming the fraud and an acknowl-
edgement of the correctness of the first
transaction in November. The city was
searched for the alleged sheep man and
trains watched, but furnished no clews Dis
patches were sent to the principal points.
The man has the appearance of a well-to-do
farmer and bears traces in the furrows of
his fingers of having worked hard for a
living. The directors of the City National
bank have offered a reward OF 81 900 for the
of Geo. Coleman; 5000 for
both apprehension of the man and recov-
cry of the money.