Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-23

The New York papers give the following in
regard to the operations of Andrew Roberts,
a native of Alfred, Maine, in regard to whom
considerable was published few years ago
Ten days ago Detective Sergeants
Rogers and Doyle noticed Andrew Roberts
and Bill Bartlett, two well-known thieves
and expert forgers. in close conversation in
Eighteenth street. near Eighth Avenue, and
thought il worth while to watch them
Roberts and Bartlett were engaged with
Gleason and .'Steve" Raymond in the forging
OF New York Central and Erie and Buffalo
Railroad bonds some years ago. They
folio red the men for several days, and saw
them meet Steve Raymond, who was
recently discharged from State prison, where
he was sent for forgery. The trio met.
apparently BY appointment John Pettengill,
Who, it is said, is one of the most expert of
the many sneak thieves and forgers who
flourish in the United States. He was
released only about four months ago
SATURDAY. morning the detectives saw RAY
mond. Bartlett and Pettengill enter a drink
ing place in Eighteenth street, near Ninth
avenue. In a few moments they saw them
come out with two strange men. As they
passed out into the street Raymond slipped
what appeared to be strip of paper into the
Bartlett then parted with the Others and
Pettengll and the two strangers walked up
Eighteenth street to Broadway. and along
Broadway until they reached the East
River National Bank. at the corner of
Great Jones street. One Of the strangers
who subsequently, gave his name as Rich
ard Martin, entered the bank, while
Pettengill with the other man. who calls
himself Richard Davis. remained outside.
The detectives. who had been Joined bv in
spector Byrnes, were on the opposite side of
Broadway. Through the windows of the
bank they saw Martin hand a check into the
window OF the paying teller. While the teller
was scrutnizing the check Detective Rogers
entered and arrested Martin. As soon as he
was secured Inspector Byrnes and Detective
Doyle seized Pettengil and bis companion
Davis. All three were then taken to police
headquarters and locked up.
Ii was a.certsined that Martin had present
ed for payment at the bank a check for
s507 50, drawn to the order of VI. Ii Martin,
and purporting to have been signed by Dom
mick A. Hotf. jewellers and silversmiths. at
No. Bond street. Ii was endorsed M. II.
Martin, correct. Dominick & Hoff." The
check was presented to the firm, and they
hesitated at first to pronounce it
forgery, so well executed was the check and
so closely had the genuine signature of the
firm been initiated. The checks used by the
firm are printed on paper with a yellowish
tinge, and the forged check was on similar
paper trifle lighter in color, and a perfect
fac simile of the genuine. with the exception
that the printers name, which is on the gen
uine checks, does not appear on this one. 1t
is evident that the forgers procured genu-
inc check from Dominick & Hoff for a small
amount, and using this as sample. had the
checks printed in imitation, and after prepar-
ing the check for 07.5O, traced the sigma
ture of the firm upon it. The prisoners were
before Justice Ford. at the Jefferson Market
Police Court Friday and were remanded until
Saturday to secure the appearance of COM
plainants.'