Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-03
CAPTURING A FRENCH FORGER
A Clever Incident.

MI. George II. Bangs, the superintendent Of
Pinkerton's detective agency, whose death has
been announced. established his reputation
nearly thirty years ago, when just started in
his career. He was put upon the track of Jules
lmbert, famous French fOrger, who, by his
pleasing manner and gentlemanly address,
succeeded in defrauding New York bankers out
OF large sums of money. From August Belmont
1mbert obtained four drafts aggregating some
$4,000, and by a series of adroit fOrgeries he
managed to clear almost double that sum. AL
Ian PinkertOn worked up the preliminary part
of the case, and to Mr.. Bangs was entrusted the
task OF tracing up the fugitive, who had es-
capped to canada, arrestng him and bringing
him back to New York city. The young de-
tective located his man In Canadian town,
and, paying no attention to the indignant pro-
testatiOns of the Frenchman that he was q gen.
tleman and would repay the insult with sum-
mary vengeance, arrested him, and succeeded
! in getting partial admission of guilt After
euding q score or more Of amateur detectives
Bangs landed his prisoner on American soil, and
started hOmeward In the cars. As precautiOn
against escape the detective handcufed Imbert's
right wrist to that of his own.
After riding hundred miles or more the
Frenchman showed signs of fatigue and fell fast
asleep beside his captOr. Bangs had then been
without rest for more than fOrty-eght hours and
was completely worn out. He began nOdding
anu. ucSplte lib UTMOST eUOrLS TO keep awake.
fell into dOZe when the train was near Fonda
In the state Of New York. A sudden jOlting of
the car aroused him and to his chagrin he found
that his prisoner had cleyerly picked the lock
OF the handcuff and escaped. The other end of
the cuff was still securely fastened to the detec-
tive's wrist. His anxiety to recover the forger
banished all thoughts of fatigue from his mind.
and. jumping quickly out of his seat he rushed
into the baggage car and inquired of the con-
ductor where the last stop had been made.
He was Informed at Fonda and that the train
had slackened speed few miles further on to
run on siding. Bangs felt sure that he was
wide awake when the train stopped at Fonda,
and reasoned that the fOrger had made the dash
for liberty after that point. The train was stop
just the shadow of chance of redeeming HIM
self, got off and walked back to Fonda He ap-
Piled at the principal hotel in the town for
bed. and was Informed that the house was full
all except one large room with a double bed
which was occupied by a gentleman who had
arrived q short time before. Bangs was ready
10 sleep anywhere. and gladly accepted the
offer. He went up to the room and sat down
on chair, overcome with modification, and az
ter arranging mental program for the fol-
lowing day started to go to bed. Turning
down the cover-lid, the detective glanced care
lessly at the snoring occupant Of the bed To
ms surprise and JOY he beheld the features of
lmbert. the forger. Creeping quietly into bed.
Bangs began nudging his companion In the ribs.
lmbert ceased snoring, turned over, yawned
once or twice, and then opened his eyes. To
his intense disgust. he found Bangs lying beside
him, smiling broadly. After that the detective
had no further trouble. His prisoner was
safely landed In New York, tried. convicted and
sentenced to ten years In the state prison. He
died after serving eight years, and up to the
day OF his death declared that Bangs was in
league with the evil one.