Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-02
A sharner Gathered In.

Last Thursday man who gave his name
as Frank Foster, and claimed to be nited
States Secret Service detective, appeared
before United States Commissioner t. l..
Robinson and stated that he had need tor
four special officers to accompany him to
Elk Grove and assist in arrestng tour
counterfeiters. Mr.. Robinson, after hear
ing his statement, referred him to Chief
Jackson. He applied to that officer in
brusque, nervous way, saying that he
wanted two officers to accompany him !:
that they might get back that night, and
might be on duty two or three days. HIS
peculiar nervous anxiety to avoid explain
ing, and to be on the move, would have
been sufficient to arouse the Chiefs sus-
picion that all was not right, but Jackson
had also received a hint from officers
Woods and Farren that they did not be-
lieye the visitor was exactly square.
Accordingly the Chief told him that he
had no officers to send out of town on such
duty. Foster replied that he was not par
ticular as TO regular officers, but would like
to have two men recommended, and he
would deputize them. In answer to the
Chiefs questions, he said his documents
showing who he was, were at Com
missioner Robinson's office and the special
officers would have their pay advanced by
the Commissioner After some further
questioning. the Chief suggested that /. K.
Simmons and T. j. Lotus, who happened
to be in the police Office at the time, would
fill the bill as deputies, and, on their say
ing that they were willing, Foster accepted
them and told them to accompany him to the
Commissioner office. AS they We're leav
ing, Jackson called Simmons back told
hot a,,I III
requested that be should not be let get out
of sight. The party went to Mr.. Robin
sons office. That gentleman had been sus-
picious of Foster and learning that Jack
son was also, he concluded to let him go
on and commit himself. He accordingly
swore in Simmons as a special officer, Fos-
ter signing his name to the document as
regular United States officer, with the word
" approved" Then came the question of
finance, when it was expected Fosters game
would be made apparent. Mr.. Robinson
said he had no money to advance, and Fos-
ter said he had a check for $120, which
he produced. 1t was drawn on
San Francisco bank, in the name of
Secret Service Department in San Fran
cisco, payable to Frank Foster. To lead
him on, it was suggested that the money
could be got from certain broker, and on
applying to that gentleman $50 were OBJ
tanned, and the remaining 500 were TO be
sent to Foster at Elk Grove next day, SIM
rons identifying and indorsing Foster, by
way of form, the broker having previously
been posted. About that time Chief Jack
son appeared. Foster asked all hands to
take drink but all refused, knowing that
the $50 would have to be made good suisse
quently. Jackson told Foster, who was
disguised at not having a chance to
spend his money, that man at the sta
tion-house wanted to see him. Foster
didn't want to go before drinking, but the
Chief took him by the arm and told him
to come at once. AT the station-house he
was informed that he was under arrest.
and became very indignant, threatening
to make it hot for some one" He was
asked for his credentials, and said they
were in his valise at the International.
Simmons was sent there to get the valise,
and found that Foster had no baggage
there, and all the h tel people knew of
him was that he had stepped at the house
two or three nights before, taking a two
bit bed. When searched he had no
money upon him but the $50 He
acknowledged that he filled out the check
himself, but asserted that secret service
officers had authority to do so. He is held
for forgery