Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-08
AN ATTORNEYS FALL
j. Frank Colon, . Young Lawyer,
Confesses q Series Of Forgeries.


J. Frank Colon, son Of the builder Of the
COLON block and one Of the best-known young
attorneys in Minneapolis, has confessed to fore-
ing the name OF John T. Blaisdell, the million
aire pioneer Of the city, to notes and other
paper footing up the huge total Of ear, 900.
1t has been known for some weeks that some
thing was radically wrong with Mr. Collom's
accounts. He has been the trusted attorney
for Mr.. Blaisdell for several years. II appears
that Colon began his peculiar financial meth
DDS upward Of ayear ago. Mr.. Blaisdell had
every confidence In the young man until few
weeks ago. Then his faith was suddenly shat
tered. The sensational story, however, never
came to the ears Of the general public till yes
terday.
Something over three weeks ago r. A. Cham
herlain, cashier OF the Security bark, met John
T. Blaisdell upon the street. Mr.. Blaisdell has
ior some years been one Of the banks heaviest
depositors.
mir. Blaisdel." began the cashier, show
much OF ]. F. Collom's paper are you on?"
The millionaire thought for an instant and
then replied. II believe I have indorssd his
paper TO the amount Of $4,000"
Mr. Chamberlain became somewhat excited.
''Why, Mr.. Blaisdell," said he, I'VE have nearly
three times that amount Of paper in the bank
The capitalists face blanched at this.
1T must be q mistake, Mr.. Chamberlain"
he said. II know I've never Endorsed Collom's
paper to any such amount There must be .
great mistake somewhere"
There Is no error regarding the amount, :"
retorted the cashier. "Tknow what I'm talk
ing about. 1t strikes me, too, that we had
better look into this matter at once There
is a Senegambian located in this thing some
where"
AN INVESTIGATION INSTITUTED.
NJ An ~ -
officials put their heads together, and the result
OF hasty investigation showed that something
was very seriously wrong. Several brokers and
Of fictitious paper was soon discovered. Within
very short period the immense sum Of eat 900
In notes and other securities was discovered.
Mr.. Blaisdell pronounced all the signatures
purported to be his to be forgeries. The bank
and MIR. Blaisdell we're equally interested, and
a rigid investigation was at once set on foot.
The entire matter Was put into the hands of
ex-County Attorney Frank F. Davis. The
attorney proceeded very quietly with the case.
A private detective was at once secured to
shadow COLON, the suspected forger. The
books and papers in the whole matter were
turned over to Mr.. Davis and his associates tor
inspection. Prof. G. G. Curtiss OF the Curtiss
business college was secured as an expert TO
examine the signatures attached to the differ
ent notes and securities Mr., Curtiss made q
rived at conclusion. His verdict vas that ].
Frank COLON was the guilty man.
coLLoM coNFEssEs.
The next move Of those conducting the in
vestigation was to confront Attorney Colon
with his crime. This move was made yester-
day. COLON was called into the office Of Mr..
Davis. Here the situation was put before the
young man without any mincing Of words.
MIR. Blaisdell and several Of the bank officials
were present at this meeting. The young at
torney at once broke down and confessed his
crime in detail. COLON wept bitterly and
begged his hearers not to spare him. He was
almost beside himself. ''Send me to the peni-
Tertiary, he cried; mo mercy is due me, / do
not ask for any. have been weak and foolish.
can ever know how regret that have vio-
lated the confidence placed in me by Mr.. Blais-
DELL"
That is about the way in which the young
man ran on. At one time when he Gained
down little he is said to have declared that il
he was only given one more chance he would
be able to recover the money and his reputa-
ton 1t is stated that the money secured from
Blaisdell by COLON was lost entirely in real
estate deals. The young man has considerable
turned over to Mr.. Blaisdell. 1t was reported
| shortly before noon that Collom's father and
other friends would come to his assistance. II
such proves to be the case it is probable thai
| the matter viii be settled.
OTHER FoRaERIEs.
1t appears that Blaisdells was the only name
forged, but that a number of people are out By
reason of their holding forged paper. The
| names Of those holding the spurious paper and
| the amounts held by each, SO far as brought tc
light, are as follows: Dean Bros, Minneapolis
$4,000; H. N. Peck, Minneapolis. els, $500, E.
W. Teet st. Paul, $1,000; Frank Rupert, Min.
neapolis, S13,5O0; Eustis Bros, Minneapolis
sis, 800, Julius Schulz, Minneapolis, esd, 600
total, Sl02,0OO. The gentlemen and firms men.
toned above are nearly all engaged in the real
Security bank holds but S23, 900 of the forged
paper, all Of which is amply secured. Youna
COLON occupies handsome residence on Port
land avenue and lives in good style, employing
several servants. He has . charming wife and