Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-02
Meteorological Report.
tEeb /, 1891. 10 r. MI
A FoR7ER CAPTURED.
Clark W. Hatch. a Notorious Cf:miual,
ATreatsd in Worcester.

WORCESTER, Mass, Feb. The arrest
| of Clark W. Hatch for forgery in this city,
Saturday night, opens up an interesting
story of crime. Early in August, 1890, q
| man giving the name of Clark Wells
opened an account with Mechanics National
Bank in this city, depositing $3.50 in bills.
The regular teller was absent on his vaca-
| ton at the time, and returned August 25,
when Cashier Merrill introduced him to
Wells. The latter checked out his deposit
of $3.50, and then offered q check for
$1,000, signed BY the treasurer Of the
| Travellers Insurance Company of Hart
| ford. The check hsd been sent to Hatch
& Woodman, general agents of the com.
rauy in Boston. Ii was made PAYABLE to
Mamie f. Smith and upon the back was
| the indossement of Mamie E. Smith. uuder-
noath which was written PAY to order
Of Clark Wells }" This last indorsement
was signed by ''Shermsn Babson.' Wells
wrote his name on the cheek and handed it
| in for deposit, saying he did not want the
money on it until the bank had
timo TO ascertain that it was all right
Wells called later for money received from
Hartford, but the bank man come to the
conclusion he would have to further iden-
tiiy himself before they would pay it over.
He inquired if Identification by VIM. ii.
Jordan would be satisfactory, he was told
it would. He left the bank ard was not
seen until arrested as Clark W. Hatch.
Enquiry from the insurance people
revealed the fact that the check was in pay
ment of death claim to Harry G Smith
Who was drowned at Nairagansett Pier las;
summer. The company said it had received
the usual proofs of the death and had paid
the claim 10 due course of business. A
few days after Wells failure to identify
himself, there came through q Boston
clearing house check for $49S upon the
Mechanics Bank signed by Clark Wells.
The check was returned unpaid. Next
came draft from Boston for $4,000 signed
by Clark Wells made payable to the order
of Hatch & Woodmap, general agents of
the Travellers insurance Co. in Boston.
This draft was sent back unpaid and few
days later the bank received 3 letter from
Hatch & Woodman saying that Clark Wells
was all right and entitled to the money.
The letter said that he had been called
West snd if the bank insisted on further
Identification the matter would have to rest
until he returned. Nothing further was
done in the matter until after January lat,
when the firm, Hatch & Woodmau, dissolved.
This aroused ,the suspicious of the bank
men who were satisfied that Clark Wells
Hatch and Clark Wells were the same
man. Further investigation into the death
claim by the insurance compsny revealed
the fact that the statement CT death. the
physicians and undertakers certificates and
signature of the justice of the peace, be-
fore whom the proofs of the death were
sworn to were all forged. No such man as
Harry c. Smith wa, drowned and there
was no such justice of the peace as Sher-
man Babson.
Tbs detectives also failed to find Mamie f.
Smith, the beneficiary of the death claim.
Clark Wells Hatch was passing through
this city on Saturday night, and the officials
of the local bank identified him as Clark
Wells. Hatch achieved notoriety . year
ago when he was tried for and acquitted
of the murde. Of his uncle. Henry E. Hatch,
in Kit Carson county, Colorado.