Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-23


IT Dell would let one stitch be altered. II you
see 1T some time. with the long blue feather curl
Ing around the brim, and the sweetest face i'm the
world beneath it. you may know it for Dell's
Christmas hat-Chicogo advance.
Welded 70 Criminal.
BALTIMORE LADY's HASTY MARRIAGE FOLLOWED
By LEISURE TO REPENT OPERATING WITH
WORTHLESS CHECKS AND CLOAKING swINpLING
WITH RELIGION
From the New York Herald 22i
A cunning and adroit check operator during
the past three weeks has succeeded in victim
izing numerous business firms in this city. and
has also endeayored to swindle in the same way
the officials of the Fifth Avenue and other banks.
The centra! tficc detectives are in possession of
important information concerning his plans
and those of his contederatcs. Unusual pre-
cautions have also been taken by the
Bankers Protective association to Illustrate
the well laid schemes of the dangerous gang
Circulars describing the check "passer" were
last evening mailed to all the banks and pro-
mincnt banking institutions in this country.
The operations which have brought him within
the ken of the police in this city are as follows:
MIR. Ferdinand p. Earle, proprietor of Earle's
hotel. about the middle OF November re-
ceved letter from Baltimore, Md. in
which the writer, r. c. Billiard stated that he
was about to be married and desired to
reside in this city during the winter months
The hotel keeper replied by telegraph that he
would be able to accommodate him. and had set
apart rooms $50 and 131 for his use. On the
29th ult. Mr. Billiard. who proved to be man
hfty-ive years old. arrived at tine hote! with his
bride of twenty-five. In conversation Billiard
limited to Mr.. Earle that he was possessed of
considerable wealth, and was also the owner of
great deal Of real estate in Brooklyn. He
appeared retiring in his manner. ard quite
religious. attending services at the Five
Points mission with his wife on Sundays
There was nothing about him that would arouse
the slightest suspicion as TO his true calling He
was in the habit Of leaving the hotel with
friends during the day and upon his return In
the evening would inform his wife that he had
been attending to matters regarding his estate
With the view of strengthening Mr.. Earle's be-
net ttat he was what he represented himself to
be, Billiard, on Thursday last, took Mr.. Beck
the hotel steward, into his confidence. and
showed him his bank books, containing
entries OF deposits of large amounts. which have
since proved to be bogus. The steward while
talking to his employer afterward, mentioned
the fact that Billiard was very wealthy. and that
he had examined ell his bank books.
THE CLIMAX.
Thus matter: progressed until Wednesday
last. when BuIIard told one of the clerks that
he, intended leaving town for few days
and that his wife during his
absence would stop with relatives here
He then called for his bill, which he paid. and
subsequently stated that he had run out of
money, and asked if he could get check for
$3.50 OH the Fifth Avenue bank cashcd. Mr.
Earle ordered his cashier to hand the monev
over to Billiard. at the same time inquiring if
the amount would be sufficient to carry him
through. The man said that it would and soon
afterward left the hotel. Mrs. Billiard later in
the day left her room. and the clerks supposed
that she had gone to visit her brother up town.
The telephone bell in the hotel was ruEg soon
after she left. and when the cashier replied he
was informed that his wire was COUPLED with
that Of the Fifth Avenue bank. Tie inquiry
was then received asking if such a person as r.
e. Billiard was one OF the guests, and if he was
in the hotel people were asked to detain hii.i
until detective who was then on his way down
town could arrive. Mr.. Billiard had left several
hours before and has failed to return since.
The communication to the bank was surprise
anu upon referring to the check which he had
cashed for Billiard the hotel keeper noticed that
it had been drawn on the same bank. Mr.
Earle then asked the Fifth Avenue bank officials
il they would honor Billiards. check and, to his
astonishment was Informed that they would
not. because he had no account with them. The
hotel keeper then called at police Headquarters
Tor the purpose Of exposing the swindie to the
authorities and after telling his story he was
requested to step into Inspector Byrnes private
office, where at the time sat Mrs. Billiard, who
was prisoner
Before leaving the hotel Billiard gave his
wife. who, it was afterward ascertained. was
Ignorant Of the fact that her husband was an
unusually cunning criminal, as Christmas Ire
sent check on the Fifth Avenue bank for
$1,000. bearing the Endorsement of one W. C.
Russell. When the woman called at the bank
to collect the money Mr.. A. 8. Frissell. the
cashier, who had previously met her husband,
and but few hours before had obtained con-
clnSiVp evidence n do hxh To n
fraud the Western bank of Philadelphia out of
5000. and the TarrytOwn bank, out of Sc 900,
through the Fifth Avenue bank, decided to de-
tain her, thinking that she was his accomplish
Word was then sent to Inspector Byrnes of the
capture of the woman and Sergeant SIeyin was
ordered to arrest her.
VICTIM OF DECEPTION.
When brought to the central Office Inspector
Byrnes was soon satisfied of her innocence, as
were also the bank officials, and for that reason
she was released. The young woman, it was
learned, was introduced to her husband six
weeks ago by friends in Baltimore. with whom
he boarded. Ballard fell madly in love with her
and proposed marriage In a few days. He rep
resented himself to be wealthy man. and, on
account of his promises to provide her with
good home, although she did not care much for
him, she decided to accept the offer. When mar
ried they went to live for few days at the Eu-
taw House and then came on to this city. The
woman was almost heartbrOken when Informed
Of her husbands real character, and at the re-
quest Of Inspector Byrnes she yesterday left her
apartments at the hotel and returned to her
home.
Mr.. AS Frissell, the cashier of the Fifth Avenue
bank, reluctantly explained his experience with
Billiard to the Herald reporter yesterday He
said that one day last week Billiard was intro
duced to him by a grocer, who was regular
depostOr. Billiard stated that he was about to
start in business and desired to open an account
with the bank He exhibited numerous bank
books. and before the interview closed offered
two checks for s15. GOO. one being on the West
ern bank, of Philadelphia, Pa, and the other the
Tarrytown bank. of Tarrytown, NY Before
cashing them Mr.. Frissell said that they would
have to pass through the regular course and
that he expected an answer by Wednesday
Billiard, thinking that they might be delayed,
gave his wife the worthless check. but an hour
before she put in an appearance the checks
were returned Endorsed 'Worthless &C
count" Hence her arrest.
The detectives are satisfied that Billiard had
cOnfederates and was in the habit OF presenting
worthless checks in stores as we'll as banks
The further the Investigation progresses fhe