The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-17
AN ADROIT SWINDLE,
By Means of Forged Checks an Expert
Realizes About So, 900.

On last Monday, between 8 and 10 O'Clock in
the morning, J ra..l well dressed except as to
his gray overcoat, which was rather the worse
for wear, came to the Union Stockyards. He
gave his name as William Zlegler, and repre-
sented himself as hailing from Marion, Grant
county. He remained for some time that day at
the office of Fort, Johnston G. Co., commission
statesmen of live stock, where he stated he
wanted to learn the market with a view to ship
ping mere. 1t seems that on this visit he picked
up a number of business cards of the firm and
made them the basis of one of the largest and
cleverest swindles that has been perpetrated
here for many a day. Late on Monday after
noon this man met William z. Wickline, a we'll
TODD farmer, VINO lives at Boylston, SIX miles
from Frankfort, near the Union Depot, and the
two struck up an acquaintance. Ziegler vouch-
safed the information that he wanted to buy a
carload or so OF good cattle. Mr.. Wickline said
a neighbor of his, Elias Swackhamer, had nearly
bwe carloads, and the remainder, enough TO
make full Two carloads. could be made up.
sZiegler, who had a ticket to Kokomo, went to
a scalper's office and sold 1t, and coming pack to
the depot bought a ticket to Frankfort, and he
and Wiekline went to Boylston, Ziegler staying
with thefarmer that night. He told the farmer,
to whom he represented himself as johnson Tor
rather as Fort Johnson, seemingly not under
standing that the names were those of TWO mem,
that he never carried much money with him,
and that If he bought the cattle he would have
TO give a check on Fletcher's bank at Indianapo.
lis. He asked WIckline to telegraph and satisfy
himself whether Fort, Johnston & Co.'s check
was good, and the farmer did so, receiving
answer that their check was good for any
amount that they would be likely to draw one
for. The cattle, nearly two carloads, were then
bought of Swackhamer for $3.50, and Ziegler
gave him a check on Fletcher's bank for Sl,845,
receiving $25 in money for the difference. Mr..
Wickllne's interest in the transaction was that he
was to be paid S25 for his assistance IN loading the
cattle at BOylestOn and helping to get them to
this city. Two heads were bought OF another
farmer in the neighborhood, for $40, to help
make a full load, and this payment was also
made with a check on Fletchers bank, and
signed by Fort Johnson " Co., with no comma
between the names Fort and johnson. At
Boyleston. Ziegler was exceedingly liberal, and
bought 50 worth or more of drinks for the meu
who loaded the cattle, for which he drew
a check Oh Fletcher's bank, which the saloonatic
cashed, giving back So in good money.
day morning, Wickline coming along. The lat
ter, however, did not go TO the
stockyards, ziegler making an appoint
Ziegler, as the cattle dealer, which part he
played we'll, complaining of freight overcharges
and shrlnkage like an expert, showed the cattle
for 81, $50, which was cashed by him at IL
O'Clock on Thursday, and soon after disappeared.
The checks from Boyston came TO Fletcher's
bank yesterday, aud were not paid, as the forge
ries were so clumsily done that there was no diff
Guilty in detecting them.
Ziegler, as he first gave his name, is about
thirty-ive years old, weighs about los pounds.
and is five feet nine or ten inches high, His
beard was full, but cropped, while his mustache
was long and heavy. He ia dark skinned, but
his face is REDEEMED by drink; his beard and hair
are dark, while his eyes are small, black ana
piercing. He was last seen on South Illinois
street. where he bought an overcoat about noon
on Thursday. Whoever he is and wherever he
may be, he is an exceedingly adroit performer.
or course the loss o3casioned by the forgeries
will fall exclusively ON the Boylston parties
who took his paper.