The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-12
A BRIDEGROOM BEHIND THE BARS.
A Young Nan Arrested for Forgery While Re-
turning Home from His Wedding Tour.

On the Oath of October William F. Lester, of
Washington, this State, was married to Miss
Dora Fullerton, the seventeen-ysar old daughter
OF Robert Fullerton, of Evansville. Young
Lester was twenty-one years of age the day be-
| fore he was married. He is the son of Lewis H.
Lester, prominent Daviess county farmer, and
also proprietor of a large Touring mill at Wash
ington. For two years, and until recently,
young Lester has been employed on the Indian
apolis & Evansville railroad in the capacity of
brakeman and fireman. According to his story
two months ago he was asked to join the knights
| of Labor and because of his refusal he was dis
missed from the service of the road. Just pre-
vious to his dismissal Miss Dora Fullerton a
young lady of charming personal appearance,
visited friends in Washington. He met her and
became infatuated. An engagement followed,
and the wedding day was set for the 24th of last
month. Miss Fullerton returned to her home to
prepare for the wedding. When she had gone
he informed his father of his contemplated mar
rage, and asked for funds to prepare him for
the event, having neglected to save any of his
railroad earnings. His parents objected to the
match, and his father refused to furnish him
with any money. However, he was determined
to carry out his part Of the contract with the
young lady, and in his desperation forged sever
al checks on his father, aggregating nearly $500.
With this money he paid his wedding expenses,
which included three weeks tour. On the
evening of the marriage he came to this city
with his bride, and from here they
went to Chicago. They remained there week,
and then journed to Topeka, Kan, where, he
says, he had been promised work, but dis
appointed The twain returned to Chicago,
where they remained until yesterday morning,
when they started for the young lady's home at
Evansville, and were interrupted by the officers
here.
The first intmation farmer Lester had that
his son had gone wrong was on last Saturday,
when check was presented at the First Ma
tional Bank of Evansville for $35. So payable TO
Will Lester, and bearing the signature Meal e
Eskridge," leading firm of Washington. Mr..
Neal at once pronounced the check forgery.
The check came from the First National Bank
of Chicago, and had been indorsed by five parties
in different parts of the country. It was pro-
tested and sent back. The same day it devel-
oped that check for $40, on the elder Lester,
which the young man had cashed at the Wash
ington bank, was forgery. Deering Bros, of
this city, also hold check for ST.. So which
they cashed as the young man passed through
here on his wedding tour. These. young Lester
claims, are all the checks he has forged, but the
Washington authorities are inclined to think
more will turn up.
On 4hoHuay the ponce mere were DOLss1eQ 10 be
on the lookout for the young man, of whom de-
scription was furnished. After his arrival in the
city with his bride, from Chicago, on Wednesday
night, he went to the Spencer House. intending
to go on to Evansville yesterday morning
About IL o'clock he left his wife at the hotel and
went over to purchase their tickets and was in
the act of handing out the money for Them
when Captain Colbert said to him: 'When are
you going to fix up that forged check you gave
Deering BrothersW He turned pale and an
fol fnn px-niNo
no money" He was taken in charge by Colbert
Barlow and Haley. He was allowed 10 return to
his wife, and when he told her of his downfall
there was an affecting scene. Both wept tears of
regret that the young man had not remained
single and honest. He was taken to the station
house to await the arrival of Washington of
ficer, who took him home last night. The young
lady took the o'clock train for her home at Ev-
ansvlle, first calling on her young husband, I
the station house, and reassuring him Of her de-
yotion.