The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-18
A LETTER CARRIER IN TROUBLE.
Alfred Harrison, the COlOred Mugwump. Ar
rested on the Charge Of Forging Check.

Just before the hour OF closing at the First
National Bank, yesterday afternoon, negro
came in, stepped up to Henry Smith, the teller,
and presented check for $500 The check was
dated July L. was made payable to John Will
son and was signed with the name of Frank
Bird The writing was in a school-bov scrawl,
and on the back was written what was
presumably intended for somebody's name, but
which no living man but the writer could de-
cipher. Something in the negros manner, and
the knowledge that Frank Bird had no account
there. made Mr.. Smith suspicious. He took the
check behind the counter and it was ascertained
definitely that Mr.. Bird had account there.
The negro was engaged IN conversation on some
pretext while messenger boy was dispatched
for the police In few minutes Captain Colbert
and Patroman Boylen appeared. At sight of the
policemen the negro took to his heels, ran out on
Meridian street, thence to Pearl street, thence
down an alley, and turned through Smiths
queensware store. He was caught within few
steps of the store on Meridian street. When he
had recovered his breath he said his name was
john Wheat. that he could neither read nor
write, that he meant DO harm, and that Alfred
Harrison, the colored mugwump lettercarrier,
had given him the check, and sent him down to
the bank to get the money for him. He
had tried to write John Wilson's name
across the back. but his efforts even in his own
eSIlmatlon, mad not n06n crowned with success.
He was taken to the Mayors Office and there
swore ont warrant for Harrison's arrest. His
story, more in detail, that he had gone to
the postoffice about noon to deliver some trlfing
message to Harrison, whom he has known for
years, and that while he was waiting. Harrison
wrote out the check, handed it to him and asked
him to go down to the bank get the money and
bring it up to the postofEice for him. He had
gone first to the Indianapolis National, through
mistake, and had been directed from there to
the First National.
Alfred Harrison seemingly greatly aston
ished when arrested at o'clock IL the afternoon.
at the postoffice. He protested his innocence,
and asked to be allowed 10 finish his work. This
was not granted. He was taken to the station
house and locked up A reporter for the Journal
asked him about the matter.
Tits absolutely false" said Alfred. II saw
When | saw him at noon he wanted ten cents to
but gave him piece of tobacco"
Harrison was put behind the bars. Ross
Clarke, James Deery and other Democrats were
making efforts last evening to get him bailed
out but at o'clock he had not been released.
Although the handwriting on the check looks
like that of Harrison, the story told by Wheat
is not generally believed. Nothing butinsanity,
it is thought, could have led Harrison to be
guilty of such poorly planned trick. Wheat,
it may be added has served a term in the peni-
tertiary, and has spent term in Jail here for
criminal provocation
Harrison was baied out at late hour last
night, Amos w. Parrish acting as his bondsman.