Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-12-16
yAnEx ron roaGERY.
4 Ohester DTan VINO s,ost Yis Heed
over woman nnd Hhis B.Iberty by


= Chester WAN Who t,0tt fsis ttcHo
over woman nnd Hfis B.1berty ny
Crime.
Sergeant Cannon and Officer Brickle
Monday evening nccosted q young man on
Market street and quietly informed him
that be WAS wanted ~ the police head
quarters. He accompanied the officers
without resistance or protest and disap-
peared from the busy haunts of men into
the seclusion that the town hall grants
without any more shock tn the public
pulse than In felt when the lone fisherman
quietly whips the shining "sunny" from
under the green, messy bank, wherein
the wild tyDegrows. The young man was
placed behind the bars, and the Silly
night closed in around him. Here the
curtain fell on the prologue.
The play introduces the young man Oh
q book keeper for James Bowers Sons,
sboddy manufacturers of Chester. He
remained in that position until several
weeks ago, when he procured leave of
absence on the score of i'll health. He
then disappeared from the city. Nothing
more happened until day or t@o ago.
when the firm above named discovered
that their na,ue had been used TO paper
of which they had had no previous
knowledge. An investigation WINS begun
and about 80, 900 worth of forged cheques
we're brought to light. The police were
notified, and lost no time in ascertainine
the whereabouts OF the absent book
keeper. Chief of Police Williamson Mon
night took quiet jaunt TO this city
and conferred with the mayor and chief
of police here, the result of which con
ference was the arrest of the book keeper.
His baggage at tho Clayton House was
procured and examined, and over 81 800
worth of cancelled checks were found in
his satchel. They were all signtd with
the name of James Bowers Sons.
The prisoners name is Thomas H.
Spurgeon. His place of residence is In
the North word of Chester. He ia about
rs years of age and of good family. He
had been in the employ of James Bowers
Sons for six or eight months and ocou-
pied the post of confidential book keeper,
where he was regarded as upright, indus
trious and possessing NIL the other virtues
that o confidential book7keeper should
have. He made out all tie cheques of
the firm and IL was the custom to have the
senior member sign them. For about
three months past, however, 1t has been
discovered that Sturgeon has been I'm
ploying his skill In filling out cheques on
two banks in Chester and signing them
with neat and clear copy of Mr.. Bowers
signature. He obtained the money on the
cheques and devoted the fruits Of his art
and industry to satisfying the desires and
demands of an Eighth and Vine street
female voluptuary, in Philadelphia. At
least this was the direction taken by the
proceeds until about two weeks ago, when
the story takes departure which will
account for Mr.. Spurgeon's presence in
Wilmington.
The Bessie Gray Opera Company ap-
peared in Chester on Monday and Tues
day, two weeks ago. For some reason, in
stead of stopping at hotel, the members
of the company took up quarters at the
various boarding houses of the city, and
it happened that Miss Gray herself
stopped at the house where Spurgeon was
making his home. II was there he met
Bessie and felt the charm of her presence.
He walked with her to the Opera House
they had lunch together and he was
charmed. The infatuation was SO deep
that Spurpeon obtained short leave OF
absence on the score of i'll health. He
vent with it to West Chester and
from there to Dover. He never de-
serted it or allowed his ardor to cool.
Whittier went Bessie, there went he.
This brought him to Wilmington last
Monday week. He represented to q mem.
Der of the company that he was worth
$4,000, but that he was such devil of
a fellow, don't you know, that the money
was kept in trust for him. 1t was invested
and he got the interest quarterly. The
next instulment was to have been due
next week, and he was going to devote il
to putting the company on its feet again.
He had evidently spent all of the last in
etalment. He had very little left when
he arrived in Wilmington, and TINT little
did not last long. He spent it freely while
he had aud in q day or two he had to
jingle buttons, like most of the Other
members Of the company. 1t was said
the managers of the company wanted to get
rid of him, but il il thought they had
more faith in his $40, 900 trust fund story
than they cared TO admit, and respected
the finances. Sturgeon had fitted himself
out III the way of clothing for his operate
trip. He dressed in loud velveteens with
lid IL intention OF OF being iiitcEsaiy
dramatic. He was on in the chorus once
or twice at the Academy of Music last
week, and did variety of super work IN
order TO make himself useful and KEEP
himself solid with the company and neal
BESSIE, for whom he seemed to have Q
lasting iufatuation. Among the Other
dramatic duties which he performed dur
ing the engagement here was the import.
ant one of crushing the wind out of the
growler" between the acts. He was cast
in this part at the benefit at the Opera
House Monday night. The arrest did not
take place until after the performance.
Tuesday morning Sturgeon expressed a
Willingness to go with Chief Williamson
to Chester without requisition, and he
was taken up on an early train. Al
Chester he was arraigned before magfs-
trate and charged with forgery. He
broke down under the charge but did not
confess, and was then held to bail, in
default of which he was taken to jail al
Media. The forgeries that have thus far
come to light foot up total of about
$4,000. Spurgeon is slightly built man
of medium hight, and does not have q
particularly bright appearance. Thus
ends the drama. In his prison cell he sits
and his dream of love is DER.