Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-12-21
A VETERAN SINNER
Released From q Long Term I'm Cherry
Hill Prison Only TO Again Fall I'm
the Meshes OF the Law.


PHILADELPHIk, December. 20-Wm. j.
Phelan, alias VIM. n. Clark, a dangerous
forger, to-day completed a three years
sentence in the Eastern Penitentiary, to
which institution he was consigned for
having forged drafts upon numerous banks
in the interior OF the State. When Phelan
stepped through the gate he was taken into
custody by the Sheriff of Blair county,
where there are several indictments hang
ing over the released convict. Detectives
Wolf and Miller were also patiently await
ing the expiration of Phelan's sentence, as
they had authority to apprehend him for
passing forged drafts near Pennington, n.
J. Phelan was connected with
One Of the Worst Gangs of Forgers
and confidence operators that ever infested
this section Of the country. It's members
were numerous, and their work OF a bold
character. They uttered bogus checks
with as much ease as any ordinary person
would pass good money. The gang COM
prised several men who usually operated
in pairs, their game being as a rule small
banks in country towns. The sums col
lected at one time seldom exceeded $500,
which amount seemed to be favorite
figure with the Argers. There are in.
stances where they repeatedly defrauded
the same banks. Their plan was to deposit
$500 or S400 in the Mechanics National
Bank OF this city and then proceed to some
country town where they would ingratiate
themselves with the proprietor OF the hotel
at which they stopped. 1t was an cay
matter TO obtain list OF citizens who had
laid up their little savings in the bank,
ard but little effort was required to obta II
signatures for the forger's pen. The next
move was TO obtain some person TO endorse
he drafts, and
The Hotel Keeperwas Usually Selected
as having previously been misled by the
bank books Of his guests which showed
large deposits. So well were the signatures
executed that there is not single instance
of where the checks were refused upon
being presen ted. The forgers, most of
whom were Philadelphians, comprised
George d. Haley, who is in prison in We
mango county; John Flanagan, who
was recently released from a Canadian
Jail; James Smith, Samuel Sweet and
William Bold, who are in the saloon
business in st. Louis and Chicago, Richard
Lennox, who not long ago broke Jail in
Kansas, where he was undergoing impris
oument for forgery, and Phelan. Haley,
who wss regarded as the leader of the gang,
irst sprung into prominence in 1869, when
ae wss arrested in this city by Detective
Joyce for passing spurious draft on a
bank in Mauch Chunck. For this offence
Ealey Was sentenced TO two years in the
Eastern penitentiery. Phelan committed
iorceries on Lancaster bank in 1874, aud
was arrested with Lennox, but managed 10
esCs spety
Escaping From n Train.
He then came to this city, dabbled in |
politics and was appointed on the police |
'crCe, being located in the Fourth district. |
IN l>7> he was discharged for Ordrunkenness,
and then went to peddling in the streets. |
1t was not long, however. before he re-
lewed his relations with his old cOmpau-
Ons, the forgers. In October, 1850, he was |
arrested for passing check for 500 on the |
Leather Manufacturers Bank, at York, |
i've checks OF $500 each on the Emlenton |
hsnk, end one for $500 on the Altoona
,ank.