Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-08
WHOLESALE FORGERY.
A minneapolis Attorney in the Role
of UJ1m, the Penman

MINNEAPOLIS, August IL. Frank
e Collum, one of the best known young
attorneys in Minneapolis, has confessed
to forging the name of John F. Blaisdell,
q millionaire pioneer of this city, to notes
and other paper, footing up the huge
total of 1927 900. 1t has been suspected
for some weeks that something was rad
ically wrong with Columns accounts. He
has been trusted attorney for Blaisdell
several years. 1t appears that Collum
began his peculiar financial methods up
wards of year ago. Blaisdell had every
confidence in the young man until few
weeks ago, when F. A. chamberlain,
cashier of the Security Bank, met him
in the street and asked, "How much of
J. 7. Collom's paper have you en-
dorsed?" He replied, Ten thousand"
Chamberlain became excited; "Why,
Mr.. Blaisdell," said he, 1--WE have nearly
three times th4t amount of paper in bank
endorsed by you."
The capitalists face blanched at this.
sit must be a mistake" he said. 81
know l have never endorsed Collom' s
paper to any such amount. There must
be Q great mistake somewhere"
There is no error regarding the
amount, retorted the cashier. 'It strikes
me, too, we had better look into this
matter at once"
Then Blaisdell and the Security off.
cials put their heads together, and the
result of hasty investigation showed
SOMETHING VERY SERIOUSLY WRONG.
Several brokers and money loaners
were visited. and within very short
period 1927 900 in notes and other secur-
tiles was discovered, but to only part OF
which Baisdell's name was attached.
Blaisdell pronounced all the signatures
purporting to be his. forgeries. A detec-
tive was set to shadow Collom. His
books were overhauled by an expert &C.
countant, and the opinion of an expert
on handwriting was secured to the
effect that Collom was the forger.
Collom was then confronted with the
evidence against him. Without mincing
words, the Young attorney at once broke
down and confessed his crime in detail.
He wept bitterly and begged his hearers
not to spare him. He was almost beside
himself.
"Send me to the penitentiary he
cried. "No mercy is due me. l do not
foolish. 1 can only say l deserve my
regret that l have violated the confidence
placed in me by Mr.. Blaisdell."
BLEW IT IN ON REAL ESTATE.
1t is stated that the money secured
from Blaisdell by Colon was lost en-
tirely in real estate deals. The young
man has considerable real estate and
equities. All have been turned over to
Blaisdell. 1t is said today that Collom's
father and other friends will come to his
assistance. If such proves to be the
case, it is probable the matter will be
settled. The Security Bank holds $23 200
of the forged paper, all of which is am
ply secured. 1t was discovered late this
morning that Collom had forged the
names of several other prominent citi-
xens for amounts ranging from So, 900 to
$4,000. Collom occupies a handsome
residence on Portland avenue and lives
in good style, employing several servants.
He has charming wife and two or three
young children.
VICTIMS OF THE FORGERY.
Now it appears that Blaisdell's was the
only name forged, but that number OF
people are out by reason of holding the
forged paper. The names OF those hold
ing the spurious paper, and the amounts
held by each, as far as brought to light,
follow: Dean Bros, Minneapolis, $751;
GOO; II. N. Peck, Minneapolis, IS, 500
E. L. Root, st. Paul, So 600; Frank Ru-
pert, Minneapolis, $13, 600; Eustis Bros,
Minneapolis, $lS,O0O; julius Schult,
Minneapolis, $30,0
The gentlemen and the firms men,
toned above are nearly all engaged in
the real estate business and money
loaning. Just what action they will take
has not been learned. G. J. lockwood
of the firm OF lockwood & COLON, was
asked today if he could account for the
action of his partner. He replied: GO
would have trusted Collom, as far al
honor goes, with all have or hope t.
have"