The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-05
ADOCTOR'S
Caught in an Attempt at Forgery
Skillful Detective Work Of Capt.
George O'Haver.
The Memphis Medical College Sc
lected as Victim.
How the Faculty Got Wind of the AT
tempted Forgery-Dr. J. P. Nc
Gee, Of 2l5 Main Street,
in a Bad Hole.

DR.. j, i. Mcbce mas IN vulgar pAIlanCci
got himself into hole from which he Will
seek in vain to extricate himself The
evidence that convicts him OF an attempt
TO forge and utter medical diploma,
purporting to be the genuine GER
tiication Of the Memphis Hospital Medi-
cal college is 50 plain that a jury OF twelve
Of his most intimate friends would not
hesitate to declare him guilty. There is
no loop.hole OF escape from that conclu-
sion. The proof rebuts every other hy-
pothesis but that Of hisguilt and lac stands
dsgraced and dishonored before cOmmu-
nifty where his integrity has heretofore
never been publicly challenged. There
may have been some Struggling of shoulders
over the fact that DR.. McGce has so ire
quently figured rs an expert in murder
cases and always on the side OF the de-
Tense, but the charitably inclined were
prone to regard that circumstance as 4
mere coincidence. Viewed in the light OF
recent events, however, the cold and cruel
world will doubtless begin 10 theorize in
other directions.
The doctors latest exploit is sure to
bring him as much notoriety ~ an ordinary
reputation can stand. Ii appears that
about four weeks ago DIR. VIII Rogers,
dean Of the faculty OF the Memphis Hos
pital college, discovered that some one was
engaged in
THE ATTEMPT TO FORGE A DIPLOMA
of that reputable institution with the in
tcnton Of presenting il 10 the world as
genuine. As that was matter involving
not only the reputation OF the college, but
affecting the personal character OF the dean
OF the faculty, who alone has the custody
Of its corporate seal, DIR. Rogers promptly
called in Capt o. llaver and placed the
case in his hands, urging him TO spare no
time or trouble in ierreting out the guilty
parties. Ii anybody has heretofore qu,s.
toned the fact that George O'ilaycr is a
born detective, or entertained any doubt
OF hls capacity 10 grapple with an Intricate
| problem, that doubt will disappear when
his skilliul management Of the pres nj
case il made public. Capt. O'Hayer who
has, doubtless, never studied logic, aud
wouldn't know syllogsm from d
parallclogram unless ho had an accurate
! description Of the same, with explicit in
structions ~ 10 color OF hair and eyes, i.
nevertheless endowed with logical mind.
lie reasoned this way: Every diploma
must have a seal. A forged diploma mus
have a forged seal. This is an attempt "a
forge a diploma, hence 1t must have q
forged seal. The syllogism was cOmplct,
aud perfect, and would have done credi
20 old Francis Bacon himself. This show
how native genius sometimes supplies the
place Of q classical education.
now THE sYLLoGisN WORKED.
There were two establishments in Mem.
| phis where seals are manufactured, Ellil
] < Ellis, on Main street, and j. l.. llabcr
| ling, at No. $40 Second street. Something
| perhaps an occult logical process, pprhnp.
Il lucky intuition, told O'llaycr tia
| llabcrling's was the place 20 watch, an,
| ilaburling's accordingly became the obicc
OF his tendcrest solicitudc. He sat up viii
It from early morn until dewy eve, or il
less pOciical terms, from the time the boz
took the shutters down In the mornin.
until the boss closed tIc shop after dark
From a convenient window In the foc0ni
floor Oi house on the west side OF SCcuul
street, with beautiful view OF the oppo
site side OF the street, O'Ilaver could not
all that happened across the way
more particularly at llaborling's store
aud il Is needless 30 say that h,
kept his eyes skinned Tor "bar" His via
was weary and tedious. made tolcrabl,
only by INDUCING in fragrant cigars an,
| spcculations upon the noihingncss OF 20
litcal aspirations Time dragged slowll
along Tor several days until ut last one DE-,
tho lynx eyes OF the captain saw somethin.
coming down the street that blow hin
three feet out Of his chair AMI sent hin
tearing down the stairs. 4 man was np
proaching, n man with a red beard and
bundle. The man looked like DR.. McGc,
| and the bundle was a rpll OF paper whicl
might be diploma lie entered Ilabcr
| ling's store, stayed several minutes an,
then came out With the roll undorhis arm
Oh, how
o'nAyER LoNoED TO GRAD THAT ROLL,
but prudence restrained him and hc smil
ingly accosted the doctor, for IL was rcall,
he, and making grab for the packag
said,
whats that doctor, a gun2r
Dr. McGee darted back and placing th
package out OF O'liaycr's reach replied.
"No, It's q dynamite bomb"
The doctor was probably not aware n
that time how prophetic his joke was.
As soon rs the DR.. McGco was ont o
sight the captain entered the store an,
told llabcrling that he had good rca. 1ns I,
suspect that DIR. McGco was cngpy,,
Ia an attempt TO execute n forged bond
that ho would see that NJ harm
came 10 ilabcrling II hc made
clean breast Of all he knew, and ai'crwnrd
followed such instruction. rs would III
given TO him. llabcrlng agreed 10 IN,
terms aud informed Capt. O'ilaycr tha
Dr. McGcc had employed him 10 manu-
| iartnre 0 aeal In Imitation OF TINT n.nl l.,