Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-01-22
AU MAGRAw's CUSTOMER.

offer his name as candidate.
AD MAGRAw's CUSTOMER.
Tho Son of a Noted Turiman and His Grim
inal Exploits.
Philadelphia Press.
After evading the officers of juscice
nearly three months, Robert A. Welcb,
the scapegrace son Of the veteran turfman,
Aristides Welch, formerly owner of "Er-
denheim' stud farm, was arrested on Fri
day night for forgery committed last No
vember. The arrest was effected by
Special Officers Heating and Hoffman, of
the Eighth district, in citizens dress.
Wclch was found at No. 24S Wyoming
street, West Philadelphia. The crime,
which is likely to cause an abrupt
check to young Welch's wayward career,
was the passing of forged check for
$675 on Adam r. Magraw, of Colora, Cecil
county, Md. Magraw is we'll and favora-
bly, known throughout Cocil county as {.
stock breeder. He is closely acquainted
with old Aristides WEIGH, and it was
through this intimacy that he became
known to the youthful forger. Last No
vember young Welch made his appear
ancc at Magraw's Colora homo for the
express purpose of going on a cunning
trip. Magraw gave the young man hos
pitable reception, and made prepara-
tions to accompany him in search of game.
After remaining at Colora a day Welch
hurriedly left for Philadelphia, giving as
all excuse for his hasty departure unex-
pected business Of an urgent character.
Two days later he returned to Cecil
county prepared, as4e said, to go gun.
ming. Almost simultaneously with his
return Welch received a letter purpcrting
to have been written by his father. en-
closing a check for $675 on the Farmers
and Mechanics national bank of Phila-
delphia, and drawn to the order of
Joseph S. Lowering, the retiled sugar re-
| finer, who died last month in German
| town. From what eau be learned the let
ter was undoubtedly written by young
We!ch himself aid posted by him in this
city just before taking the train for his
return to Maryland. Of these facts, how
ever, Magraw was of course ignorant.
| Upon receiving the check Welch told Ma
graw that he did net care to return to
| Philadelphia to draw the money, ut the
same time, however, he expressed the great
est anxiety to get the cash. See here" he
finally said to his host, "if you endorse
this check for me can get it cashed at
the bank in Elkton.' Thoroughly un-
suspecting Magraw endorsed the paper,
and shortly after the Elkton bank, on the
strength of the Colora stock breeders
familiar signature, promptly paid the
money. A few days later Welch disap
peared from Cecil county. In the course
Of time tho check reached tho Farmers
and Mechanics bank of this city, where it
was pronounced forgery. Having eli
dorsed it, Magraw was compelled to make
good the s675 paid to the torger.
This done, the Marylander swore
out warrant fer Welch's arrest,
and placed it in the hands Of
Pinkerton's detectives for execution. In
the meantime tho young criminal was
having royal time cunning for ducks in
North Carolina. Several days siucs the
police of the Eighth district, learning that
Welch had returned to this city, began an
active search for him. Magraw was mott
fled of his presence here, and q second
warrant was sworn out before Magistrate
Lukens. Welch was traced to the Wy
oming street houie and taken into GUS
tody. He took his capture quite philO-
sophically, and readily consented to
accompany the officers to ElktOn without
requisition. He was accordingly taken
there on Friday night.
| Welch's latest crime is not the first one
he has committed. Although not over
twenty. three years of age, he has figured
in several crooked transactions. 1t is not
moro than two years ago since he created
a sensation by pelting pretty soubretto
at the Walnut street theatre with rotten
eggs. Welch became enamOured Of the
actress, and in the course of their intimacy
presented her with jewels and other
1 IL. hny
ever, soon tired of his attentions and made
no secret Of the fact. One afternoon
the pair separated after rather stormy
scene Welch threatened to have revenge.
That evening the soubrette appeared at
the Walnut street theatre. WEIGH Occu-
pied seat in the uppermost gallery. The
moment the soubrette appeared on the
stage he began pelting her with rotten
eggs. a scene OF the widest confusOn fol
lowed. Welch was promptly arrested and
punished. Later he forged check for
$500, obtained the money and handed it
to comrade named Petrie for safe keep
ing in the event Of arrest. The two
went to New York, and, upon arriving
there, Welch demanded the stolen money.
Petrie refused to return 1t. A quarrel en-
sued, which ended in WEIGH shooting Pc
trie through the body. l. was many
days before the latter recovered. For i,
long time he lay at deaths door. 1t cost
old Aristides Welch fully $4,000 to clear
his son. After that affair young Weich
kept quiet for time, but not long. The
old spirit of evil adventure was soon re-
vived in him. Before being captured fer
the Lowering forgery the police say he
obtained several large SUMS Of money in
precisely the same manner.
| mayors Court
His honor had a few lodgers aud five
drunken men to attend to this morning.
The lodgers We're discharged !; one of the
drunks was sent to Jail for five days. one