Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-08
SMOOTH ISAAC.
Further Developments in the Forger
Phillips Case.


Further Developments in the Forger
Phillips Case.
Isaac Phillips, the youth who was ar
rested on the north bound train as it
pulled out OF the Arcade depot on Mon
day night last, and who was on Tuesday
escorted back to San Diego, where he
is wanted upon two charges of forgery,
is apparently much smoother rascal
than had been at first supposed.
Yesterday afternoon a complaint was
filed in the city Justices court by an
Engli i.hman named Enos Davies, of Glen
dale, who charges him with having COM
mitted a felony at Tropico ON December
9th last, in that he furnished George
Holt, the telegraph operator OF that
place, with false and forged message
with intent to defraud John Lightfoot,
of England, out of the sum of $500.
The circumstances surrounding the
case, as gathered from the story told by
Mr.. Davies to HERALD reporter yester
day, are as follows: On the afternoon
of Sunday, December 7th last, young
man called upon Mr.. Davies at his Glen
dale ranch, and introducing himself as
Isaac Phillips, an employee of the Mil.
waukee furniture company, stated that
he had been sent by John Russell of the
Tuna caf1on. AS Mr.. Davies knew Mr..
Russell Intimately, he at once welcomed
his visitor, and Phillips told him that
as he had not had holiday for several
years he intended to take trip to Eng
land in few days. On learning of his
intention his employer, Mr.. Burbank,
had asked him to take box of navel
oranges with him as a present to his
friend John Lightfoot, and it was for the
purpose of learning this gentleman's
address in England that he had
sought Mr.. Russell, who had re-
ferred him to Mr.. Davies. AS
Lightfoot owned a large tract of
land in this county, which he had en-
ployed Davies to look after, the latter
knew something of his movements while
in this country last summer; but Phil
lips completely put him off his guard,
and he not only gave him the desired in
formation, but also furnished him with
the address of several of his relatives,
and requested him to call upon them on
his arrival in England. Phillips prom
ised to do so, and took his leave; and
the next day Mr.. Davies received beau
tifully written letter on Y. M. G.. A. pa
per, from that gentleman, expressing
his regrets at being unable to come out
and see bin again, as he was called to
Pomona, but requesting him to meet
him at the train a iew days later as he
passed through.
Sayara1 days after this visit Davias
came to town and called at the Farmers
the cashier informed him that he had
just received draft for him by cable
for $500 and had placed that amount to
his credit. Utterly at a loss to under
stand the matter, Davies returned to
his ranch, but on reading the papers
yesterday morning be learned of Phil
lips arrest and the truth dawned upon
him at once. 1t was found upon in
vestigation that Phillips, on learning of
John Lightioot's address. wentlto Tropico
and sent dispatch to that gentleman in
Davies name asking for $500. Not re-
ceiving any reply, he sent a second
on the 9th OF December as
follows
John Iightfoot, The Bars, Boughton, Chester,
Deposit demanded five hundred dol
lars. (Signed) ENos DAvIEs.'
When shown the original of this mes
sage, Mr.. Davies was at first unable to
realize that he had not signed it, 80 we'll
was his signature forged. The matter
was soon traced to Phillips, who, when
the San Diego authorities have finished
with him, will be dealt with by those of
this citv apd oOuptv