New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-21
RUINED BY GAMBLING.
THE CLERK OF A BIG LAW FIRM GETS OVER
s2OO,O BY FORGERY.

HIS EMPLOYERS CLIENTS BY INGENIOUS
CRIMEs-A DIG SUN LOST At POLICY
ARRESTED ON MoNDAY-HE con-
FEssED TO INSPECTOR
BYRNEs YESTERDAY
James f. Bedcll has for many years occupied
confidential position in the law firm of Shipman,
Barlow, Larocquc e Choatc, who have an office
at No 35 William-st lie lived unostcrtatlously
at No. 206 IL Lafaycttc-avc. Brooklyn, and was
locked upon by every one the soul of honor.
His name was considered to be synonymous with
integrity and his word was everywhere accepted
as truth IIc attended to his business assidu-
ously and gave satisfaction to both the firm ana
their clients. Bcdell raised himself by pure force
of character and worth from an humble position
in the firm to n trusted one where he received the
unusual salary in law Office Of $500 year.
lie had charge of all the real estate transactions o
the firm. and his special fitness and knowledge OF
the value OF land and titles in this city and
vicinity enabled him to dispose of all questions
concerning real estate accurately and promptly,
and gave the wcll-llnown firm prestige among
the investors OF capital
1t is now known that the seeming honesty OF
Mr.. Bcdcll was only cloak 10 cover as big u
rascal as has appeared in this city in many
months Using his position with Shpman Barlow,
Larocque & ChOate to gain the confidence OF thclr
clients and backing this up by an ingenious sys-
TEN of forgery and deception, he has succeeded III
swindling several of the firms clients ont of sums
which aggregate, rs far as is known at present,
s26l. 500. The work has been done in the firms
Office under their eyes with all marks OF genuine
ness, but of course without their knowledge and
the position in which they have been placed inno-
Gently is filled with annoyance and embarrassment.
in, coll 40 Police
last night. sick, broken-hcartcd and despondcnt
HE BEGAN FOUR YEARS AGO.
As far as can be learned at present. Mr. Bcdel
began his swndlng operations in the summer OF
1884 lie says himself that he does not know
what made him perform his first dishonest act, that
il seemed to him as if some uncontrOllable force
got possession OF him and compelled him 20 do 1T
against his will and protest He could not help It,
But the real secret of the robbery appears IN BE
dclls life lie was gambler and, his large salary
not being sufficient to nike up his losses and Keep
his family in decent style he had to resort to the
purses OF others to make up his deficiency.
The discovery of Mr. Bedelrs populations was the
result of accident, and only for fortunate com
bination of circumstances he could have gone on
for years and kept up his robbcrics and enjoyed
his ill-gotten gains in safety
Herman Koop, q member Of The firm Of Herman
Koop & Co. commission merchants, of No. %
William-st is client of Shipman Barlow, La
rocquc & Choatc He deposited 10000 with
the lawyers some tim, ago for Investment. In
due season he received a mortgage upon property
in West Onc-hundred-and-twcnty slNth-st, near
Eighth-avc. He perfectly satisfied with the
loan and put the mortg cages among his palers
in his safe The interest was paid upon it rcsu-
lary Mr.. Koop. contemplating long European
f1.1- his rltI IpS
last week to put them in shape for use during
his absence.
TIE SEAL WAS INDISTINCT
When he picked up the $4,000 mortgage and
carccssly looked over its contents he WAS struck
with the ndstinct impression that had been made
on the paper by the Registers seal. He thought
that it might in some way nvalidatc the mort
gage and laid it aside, intending to consult with
his lawyers. lie chang, his mind npon reflection,
and decided 20 have the mortgage dXed up without
seeing them. The mortgage was given TO n mes
scngcr with instructions to take it TO the Regis
tcrs Of CO and have 1t rcstampcd The clerk 10
whom il was given stamped the mortgage with the
seal and gave it 10 the messenger who started
away with it, The clerk was struck by The
strangcnesS Of the transaction. and called the mes
scngcr back and took the document again
Then he searched the records to see II everything
was straight, and was unable to lind either the
names of the mortgaGor, or mortsasrc or n "a &c
corded in the books, though 1t bore the appear
ancc in thc signatures and stamp. of having
passed regularly through the Eeestcrs oi,lcc.
and he pronounced all the signatures forgerlcS
The messenger was held until Mr. koop appeared
at the Registers Office and he astonndcd at
the singular revelations. and thought thai the
whole thing n mistake that could easily be
remeded. This was on last Monday, ana ne
went ~ once TO Shipman. Barlow larocquc ~
Ro'iss cdc GSs was sna in RS'G hS 9ce % %hn % s Kp
arrived, and an electric bell summoned him to the
office Of cx-,Judge Shipman Mr.. Badell came
quickly, with his usual energetic manner When
his eye fell on Mr. Koop. his face blanched and
his gaze was turned 20 the floor =,
Mr. koop related the facts AMI Mt Shlpnan
turned and said pleasantly TO his clerk: " How
do YOU explain this matter, Bedcll?
lie COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT.
The clerks head was bowed on his chest, beads
OF pcrspiration stood on his brow. and the blood
came and went quickly IN his face. lie tried IN
vain to speak for moment, and then he Stam-
mcrcd: Its all a mistake, guess. don't know
what to say
ploycr and it. 6awned upon him that the clerk
was guilty of something more than negligence
TELL the truth, Bcdell, about tbs mortgSgc
| Is il all right - thundcred Mr. Shipman. Mr..
Bcde was silent for a long time Then he sud
denly stood erect, threw up his hands ana eN-
claimed: NO, it is not right 1t IS forgery;
Ny God. what have done" He staggered fell
into chair and covered his face with MS hands,
TIE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE
"1lc law must take its course said Mr. koop
A messenger was quickly sent to the Old slip Sta
tion and Captain Mclaughlin came in few MIN
utcs took Mr. Bedcll from the place in which he
had been held in such high esteem. and turned HIM
over to Inspector Byrncs The prisoner was taken
before Police Justice White and rcmandcd to the
Inspectors custody until Saturday To give time 10
get a confcs sion from him. if possible Mr, Bcdell
was obduIaic at first. but the great mental strn
was too much for him, and he finally became SICK
and had TO be cared for by Il PHYSICIAN lie was
rem vel to the Old Slip Station wher tn quartz
are more comfortable. sickness broke hS spirit
and loosencd his tongue, and he told the story OF
his crimes TO Inspector Byrncs yesterday. Iis
statement exoneraes the firm in every way lie
saws that after he made mp his mind 10 steal
he had no difficulty, as his position with the irm
He was constantly busy making loans for the irm
for clients upon property. The money from the
clients was given directly to the firm by him AS
fast as he received it, and it was deposited to It's
credit. -