New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-08
FORGING A FRIENDS NAME.
METHOD OF A YOUNG REAL. ESTATE
DEALER IN MINNEAPOLIS
| BORROWING OVER TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ON FRAUDULENT PAPER

FRIGHTENED INTO A CONFESSION.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsEI
Minneapolis, Aug. 7.-Business men in Mime
apolis were astounded to-day by the announce
mont that j. Frank Colon, q prominent young
attorney and real estate dealer, had confessed 10
forging to notes aggregatng $4,000 the indorse-
ment Of John I. Blaisdell, millionaire pioneer
of this city and warm personal friend Of Collom's
father. The forgeries extended over a period Of
more than year. Something over three weeks
ago T. II. Chamberlain, cashier Of the Security
Bank, met John L. Blaisdell upon the street.
Mr. Baisdell has for some years been one of the
banks heaviest depostors.
-" MIR. Baisdell," began the cashier, how much
of j. f. COlom's paper are you on?'
The millionaire thought for an instant and then
replied: L believe / have indorsed his paper
to the amount of 81 0,00O.7
Mr. Chamberlain became somewhat excited.
why, Mr.. Blasdell," said he, "we have nearly
three times that amount Of paper in the bans
indorsed by you"
The capitalists face blanched at this. 1t
must be a mistake, Mr. Chamberlain he said, =
know Pve never indoIsed Collon's paper TO any
such amount There must be great mistake
somewhere
There is no error regarding the amount re-
torted the cashier l know what Pm talking
about 1t strikes me, too, that we had better
look into this matter at once"
An investigation was at once set foot
Detectives were employed and the aid OF
handwriting experts called in 1t was finally
ascertained that Mr. BhisdelPs name was upon
paper which footed up the enormous figure of
1000. The crimes were quickly traced 10
Colon. Last night the forger was taken TO
the office of ex-County Attorney F. F. Davis, who
IN eIo1I and, ,Ia anlr1
and here he was confronted with his crime lie
broke down at once and made full confession,
weeping and sobbing between sentences. When
he had completed the story of his guilt, COLON
sprang to his feet and made a break for the
nearest window. 1t was evident from his manner
that he intended to jump out and end his life.
1t would have been fall Of five stories, had he
been permitted to carry out his Intentions His
purpose was thwarted by those present. Then ha
turned to some of the gentlemen present and said:
Send for Sheriff Ege at once. want him Ia
take me to Jail. am a criminal and deserve
to 90 to the penitentiary"
Colon was subdued again and began to discuss
the situation somewhat intelligently. lie
began to figure on a settlement Of
the difficulty. Those present wanted to summon
Colloms father and Josiah Thompson, ST., his
father-in- law. The attorneys thought they might
be able 10 come 10 tne young man rescue. Mes
sengers dispatched, however, and soon Col
loms father his father-in. law and Josiah Thomp-
son, jr., his brothern-law, were ushered into the
room. Neither of them would believe that young
Colon had been guilty of forgery, not even
when he confessed the crime in their presence.
Colon made the statement last night that he
felt satisfied that his property would fully satisfy
all the claims against him. The equities in real
estate that he held he believed were worth fully
from $3.50, 900 to 100000. His interests in real
estate were found to be mostly in farming lands in
Hennepin Anolza and Ramsey counties. He is
also said to be heavily interested in real estate
in this city, but list of the property could not be
secured to-day. All OF this real estate has been
turned over to Mr.. Baisdell. The notes with the
forged Endorsements scattered all through the
money brokers' offices in this city and st. Paul
The names of those holding the spurious paper
and the amounts held by each, so far as brought to
light, are as follows: