The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-28
STEIN CAUGHT At LAST.
THE TOO BRILLIANT JOURNAL.
IST, WHO SWEPT LIKE A
Meteor Through the Memphis Con.
stellatiOn Last June, in Jail
In California.

A short time since the APPEAL con.
tanned an extended account OF tie
moral mesnderings OF Ortiz II. Stsine,
alias John G. Bell, who came here
from st, Louis, and obtained work on
the strength of his ability as an artist
and newspaper sketch writer. About
the time he was getting comfortably
liked an account came OF his mete-
oric career in the West, and, packing
his grip, he adjusted his eye glasses
firmly on the bridge Of his nose and
made schedule time for the depot of
the Valley road. He appears
to be as energetic in the matter
OF making reputation as a criminal
as he was in the direction of senta-
tional journalism. When he sudden
ly disappeared from Memphis those
who had met him for the first time
and had formed speaking acquaint-
auce with him were astounded at the
criminal record he had made. lie left
behind him sundry unpaid bills notes
and forged checks, as well as a ccnid-
ing woman, whom he had been intro
duCing to his friends as his wife.
When next heard from he had been
cutting q wide swath in Colorado AID
was badly wanted by the authorities
for forgery and for obtaining money
under false pretenses. With his
usual good luck, however, he man
aged to elude the officers Of the
law and made his escape to California.
Last week came the intelligence that
he YVES cornered at last. His coed
forture had failed him and be hsd
fallen into the clutches of the 20 ice at
lest, and was lying in jail at San Jose
to answer 10 several exceedingly bod
forgeries. Whether he will manage
to avoid punishment for his crimes 10
California remains to be seen; but II
he does he will he in constant CANCER
of being arrested at the instigatiou of
the Gould system officials and pross-
cuted for the commission OF oflenses
which have cauted that c rporGtjon
TO suffer. Yesterday arother CT
Mr.. S'ein's crooked ieats came TO
light through the efforts Of de-
teCtives attached TO the Con d sys-
TEN 8. cret service, who have been
at work on the case for soms time, 1t
appears from the evidence at hand
that in July Stein WAS in Alexandra,
La, where he made the acquaintance
OF Dan Hitler, bookkeeper for August
Heyman, n general merchant Il that
place. 1t did not require much time
for Stein TO win the confidence OF Mr..
Hitler. He represented that his nsme
was Robert l.. Lee; that he was con-
nected with the Gould system in an m-
portant capacity, and that be WAS All
intimate friend OF Col. III. NJ. Hexie,
first vice-president OF the Gould lines.
This story sounded very nicely, and
after he had been in Alexandria sew
eral days "conning" the town quite
successfully he had very little
difficulty in rushing" forged draft
on Mr.. Hitler for sos, The paper
was made In favor OF Robert l.. Lee,
was signed with the name Of Col, II,
M. Hoxie and was drawn on Mr.. D. S.
II. Smith Of st. Louis, local treasurer
of the Gould system. 1t was dated
July 9th and was presented for pay
mept about the 18th. The forgery, 1t
is said, was very clumsy one, and
anyone who had ever seen Mr.. Hoxie's
signature could have detected the
fraud at once. Before IL was discov-
cred, however, Stein WIS many miles
away from Alexandria. Tho proceed
ings against Stein in California will
probably be closely watched, aud
should he manage to secure an Gcquit-
tai there, will find an officer ON hand
TO receive him with open arms.