Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-05
CHARGED WITH FORGERY.

.h~.bam Burke Under Arrest for
Swindliug the DepOsitOrs in the
FreeJman's Bank - His Examina-
tion Before Commissioner Erwin
Yesterday-The Extent of His Iniqui-
ties Yet Unknown.
Abraham Burke. colored, known as a
Notary Public and as Treasurer OF the
Stephens Home, was arrested Monday
and taken before United states Commits
sioner Erwin. TO answer the charge Of for
gerry made against him by a colored woman
named Phoebe Doctor. living about five
miles from the city, on the Augusta road.
The defendant was represented by Mr..
LazarOn. and was required to give bail
for his appearance at an examination to
be held before the Commissioner next
week. The circumstances which led to
Burke's arrest are said to be as follows:
Some time ago he undertook to repre-
sent certain depOsitOrs in the FTeedman's
Bank bv offering to obtain for them GER
tain sums of money due from the bank as
payment on the final dividend which the
United States Treasury was authorized to
nav the depOSitOrs. He secured. so far as
is known. the books of about twenty-five
depOsitOrs. many Of whom live on the Au-
grtIsta road He forwarded Phoebe Doc
tors book TO Washington early in the
summer. and when the officials
there had satisfied themselves OF the
validity of her interest in the dividend
they forwarded to Burke draft for about
$40. Burke took the draft, Endorsed the
name of PhTbe Doctor on the back and
affixed his seal as Notary Public. The
bank cashed the draft by giving Burke
the money and returned the evidence Of
its payment in form of the cancelled draft
TO Washington. This was early last
June. The complainant alleges that since
then she called two or three times on
Burke to ascertain when her diyi-
dend would be forwarded. AT one
time. il is said. he represented that
he had not vet sent the book or papers to
Washington. and he subsequently made
other representations calculated to give
the impression that he had not yet collect
ed the dividends. 4 few days ago, how
ever. she was notified by Hon. John j..
Knox. who is in charge of the affairs Of
the Freedman's Bank. that the draft had
been paid last June. The matter was
brought to the attention Of Commissioner
Erwin. and Burke was placed under ar
rest.
When required TO give bail he offered
W G. Clark. colored. but as
the bond was not deemed satisfactory the
accused was given until yesterday to
obtain better or additional surety. on
the opening Of the commissioners Court
Burke's wife appeared, and with
Clark. gave bond in the sum Of
$500. 4 reporter of the MORNING News
was reliably informed that Burke and his
friends offered to pay the complainant the
amount Of her dividend, provided that
would end the case, which she re-
fused to do. Upon examination Burke
also admitted that he signed the
name of Phoebe Doctor, and obtained the
money, and that it was his habit to sign
the names Of the other depOsitOrs whom
he represents. 1t is also known that in
this manner he obtained the cash on about
TWENTY-FIVE other drafts. the whole
amounting to upwards of $3.50, if not
more. There are other circumstances
connected with the case that 70 to prove
that W. &. Clark. who first offered
10 stand as bOndsman. receiy-
ed some of the money. but
whether as trustee or banker for the
accused. or as cOnspiratOT in the
affair, is yet to be explained. Pending
the examination TO be held next week,
inquiries are to be made in Washington
for whatever evidence the authorities
may have i'm their possession relating to
the case.
The Revised Statutes of the United
States prescribe as punishment for forging
orders tor money, Imprisonment in the
penitentary for term not exceeding ten
years. or a fine in sum not exceeding
$1,000. or both, in the discretion of the
court before which conviction is had.
They also further prescribe a similar
term of Imprisonment or similar fine, or
both, when the accused is convicted Of
having stolen money from the Treasury.