Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-05-22
w. W. Likens In Trouble.

A former resident OF Grant and Iowa
counties. in this state. one who left for
the west quite unceremoneously several
years ago, has got himself into trouble
in Colorado. The matter is fully set
forth in the following extract taken
from Boulder correspondent of the
Denver Daily News, May 8. Forgery
seems to be Likens best lay, as it was
for that kind of work he fled this state.
The case, as near IS can be remembered
now, was that Likens was arrested in
Iowa county for forgery and held to
bail for his appearance. He left the
court room to procure bondsmen, one
of whom said that Z if he would procure
a certain other mans signature to his
bond, he would also go on the bond
Soon Likens returned with the signature
as.required and the bond was completed.
1t afterwards turned out that he had
forged the first name to the bond. Here is
the extract referred to:
Among the indictments returned by
the grand jury yesterday was one for
forgery against w. w. Likins, ESQ.,, a
well known lawyer of this city, which
caused quite little sensation.
The indictment charges Likens with
forging the name of Mrs. Mary G.. Sto-
yer to note of $3.50, payable to him.
self. The note bears the date of Janu-
airy %. 1882, and is made payable to w.
w. Likens, October s, 1883. 1t is for
$3.50, drawing interest at the rate of 2
per cent per month until paid. The
note is made payable only in gold coin
of the United States.
Mr.. Likens was formerly Mrs. Sto-
ver's attorney in collecting a number
of notes payable to her from heirs to
her mothers estate, in which she was
an heir, selling out her interest in the
estate TO the other heirs for their notes
for certain amounts. These notes she
gave to Likens to collect. But about
the time the alleged forged note is dated
she discharged him from all connection
with her business on account of the ex-
orbitant fees he charged her. She took
all her papers out of his possession ex-
cept one note of 1888, payable to her
from H. F. Sturdevant This she left
with him as security for $50. he claimed
was stiii due MIN for fees. A friend of
Mrs. Slower, however. secured this note
of 1888 from Likens and had the latter
cancel the debt of 500 on tho ground
that he had received fees enough, which
Likens reluctantly did. Mrs. Slower
claims that from this date she never
had anything to do with Likens, and
only learned few months ago that the
alleged forged note above described was
in existence. She learned of it through
suit brought against HI. +. Sturdevant
to secure judgment on the 1888 note
which Mrs. Slower had transferred to
Mr.. WEIGH. In answering the suit Mr.
Sturdevant set up a counter charge of
some $3.50, claiming that he held the
note of Mrs. Slower for that amount.
The note he held was the alleged forged
note. He came into possession of it
through Likens, who brought it to him
to negotiate, and Sturdevant traded his
own note for the note of Mrs. Slower.
| Mrs. Slower is positive in her opinion
that she never signed the note and new
er saw or knew anything about it until
it appeared in the suit against II. F.
Sturdevant. Likens denies the charge
of forgery aid declares that Mrs. Sto-
yer signed the note. The case will be
watched with considerable interest
The defendant gave bonds of 81. 900 to
appear for trial on the twenty-second
instant.
w. w. Likens is lawyer of only
fair reputation, quite well known in
this section. He is prominent in the
temperance cause and is grand worthy
chief of the Grand Lodge of Good Tenn
plars.