New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-23
BANK CLERK'S 4TTEMPTED CRIME.
THE COOL PLANS OF MISREPRESENTATION
BOY TO DEFRAUD THE BANK
NEATLY FRUSTRATED.

Springfield Mass, Nov. 90 (spcclaD.- gfeld has
another sensation young and trusted clerk oil the
City Bank has been detected in an attempt to rob
the bank, which for GOODNESS and mlnutcncss Of
preparation reads more like Jesse James exploit
than the plan of nineteen yearold boy, until only
the other day a public school pupil. George Lewis
was graduated from the Springfield High School In
the class of '8a although for three he has been
the trusted clerk and messenger OF the City Bank
Not long ago he became dissatisfied with his salary
and conceived he thought, brilliant plan for In
creasng his revenue. lie had heard Of dealers In
counterfeit bills and longed to meet one. Tho op
pOrtunity presented Itself In the person OF Monroe
Parker of No III Pine-st, this city, who promised
the young man that II the latter would meet him at
the Massasolt House on Monday night Of this week
he would Introduce him to friend' who would
furnish the young man the goods" Lewis consented
Meanwhile Parker had informed President Stafford
of the bank, how matters stood, and Cashier Bow
man was sent to Boston, where he laid the case be
fore the PnkcrtOn Agency. a detective was sent
here who sportcd about town in ashy attire and was
pointed quite sport. Lewis was introduced
10 him by Parker as the friend' who would put up
the queer" They met at a private room at 'he
Massasot House. The detective produced quantity
Of good bills which he pronounced counterfeit Tho
young man accepted 500 I'm what he believed was
bogus money. This he was TO place among the
banks funds, removing an equal sum In good money
After everything had been arranged, By preconccrted
signal City Marshal Clune appeared upon the scene
and took both Lewis and the disguised detective In
charge.
While this little farce was in progress al the Mas
sasoit, the bank directors and officials had assembled
at Cashier Bowman's house, whittier Lewis and the
detective were taken. Then for the first time he
learned Lewis had been duped, that the "crooh" was
a detective in dis sguise and that the game was up.
He signed full confession acknowledging his quit
and his intent rob the bank BY the use Of false
Keys and the substitution of spurious money In the
90. in nla NJ oO1
impression of the door OF prominent city judges
Office. the First National Bank vault. intending
later rob that bank through the Judges office.
All through the affair the young man has been the
coolest OF the party. He said tonight that h. was
led into the scheme by Parker, and that he had no
intent 10 rob the bank; and he denied that he had
taken an mpres sion Of the lock OF Judge Wcll door
Lews's widowed mother tainted during the Interview.
and tonight Is completely prOsraed over her sons
misconduct The family are in limited ciruinsta anccs.
and the blow falls upon them with Crushing force.
One of the youths plans was TO forge check for
large amount the banks New ork Correspondents,
and he had secured mprc Of the nccdtui sigma
ture for that purpose No arrests VIII be made, as
the bank people are content win the cohleSslol III
asmuch money was taken