The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-08-14
CONFESSED HIS FORGERY.
A YOUNG ATTORNEYS DOWNFALL.
j. F. ColIom. a welI-Known and Popular
Lawyer OF Minneapolis, Charged With
Very Peculiar Financial Methods
-SpecuIated in Real Estate.

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. ii. Frank Collom.
son Of the builder of Colon block, and one
of the best known young attorneys in Mime
apolis, has confessed to forging the name Of
John T. Blaisdell, the millionaire pioneer of
this city, 10 notes and other paper, footing up
the huge total of S227, 900.
1t has been known for some weeks that
something was radically wrong with Mr.. Col
Iom's accounts. He has been the trusted at
torney for Mr. Blaisdell for several years. 1t ap-
pears that COLON began his peculiar financial
methods upward of a year ago. Mr.. Blaisdell
had every confidence in the young man until
few weeks ago. Then his faith suddenly
shattered. The sensational story, however,
never came to the ears OF the general public
until to-day Something over three weeks ago.
+. A. Chamberlain, cashier of the Security
bank, met John t. Blaisden upon the street.
Mr.. Blaisdell has for some years been one of
the banks heaviest depositors.
"Mr. Blaisdell," began the cashier, 'how
much of J. F. Collom's paper are you on?'
The millionaire thought for an instant and
then replied: 81 believe l have indorsed his
paper to the amount of $4,000"
Mr.. Chamberlain became somewhat excited.
why, Mr.. BlaisdeIl." said he. I'VE have nearly
Endorsed by you"
The capitalists face blanched at this. "It
must be a mistake. Mr.. Chamberlain" be said.
81 know I've never indorsed Collom's paper to
any such amount. There must be great mis-
take somewhere"
There is no error regarding the amount"
retorted the cashier. 81 know what I'm talk
ing about. 1t strikes me, too, that we had bet
Ter look into this matter at once. There is a
SepaDa mi fad in ne hara -
Then Mr. Blaisdell and the Security bank Of
hcials put their heads together and the result
OF hasty investigation showed that something
was very seriously wrong. Several brokers
and money loaners were visited and a great
amount of fictitious paper was soon discovered.
Within very short period the immense sum
of S227, 900 In notes and other securities was
discovered. Mr.. Blaisdell pronounced all the
signatures purporting TO be his to be forgeries.
The bank and Mr.. BlaiSdell were equally in
terested and a rigid investigation was at once
set on foot. The entire matter was put into
the hands OF ex-County Atty. Frank +. Davis.
The attorney proceeded very quietly with the
case. a private detective was at once secured
70 shadow COLON, the suspected forger. The
books and papers in the whole matter were
turned over TO Mr.. Davis and his associates for
inspection. Prof. c. c. Curtis, of the Curtis
business college, was secured as an expert TO
examine the signatures attached to the differ
ent notes and securities. Mr. Curtis made
close and careful investigation. He soon ar
rived at a conclusion. His verdict was that J.
Frank COLON the guilty man.
The next move Of those conducting the inves-
tigation was to confront Atty. COLON with his
crime. This made yesterday. Col
1om called into the Office of Mr.. Davis.
Here the situation was put before the young
man without any mincing of words Mr.
Blaisdeil and several OF the bank officials
present at this meeting. The young attorney
at once broke down and confessed his
crime Collom cried bitterly and begged his
hearers not to spare. He was almost beside
himself.
II is stated that the money secured from
Blaisdell by COLON lost entirely in real
estate deals. The young man has considerable
real estate, and the equities have all been turned
over to Mr. Blaisdeu- 1t was reported shortly
before noon that Collom's father and other
friends would come 10 his assistance. II such
proves 70 be the case, it is probable that the
matter will be settled.
Young Collom occupies handsome residence
on Portland-ave., and lives in good style, en-
ploying several servants. He has a charming
wife and two or three young children.
1t now appears that BlaisdelPs was the only
name forged, but that a number Of people are
cut by reason of their holding forged paper.