The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-03
ATLANTA'S BAD CASHIER.
SIGNATURES FORGED AND THE
FACE OF NOTES RAISED.

Sufferers to the Extent of $4,000
Already Heard From, and More
Probably Still Keeping Mum-A War
rant for His Arrest Sworn Out-A
Fair Travelling Companion.
ATLANTA, GA, Jan. 2-The damaging
developments expected in the case Of the
Ascending cashier, J. E. Morris, were
forthcoming early this morning. 1t now
appears that the prime motive Of his
fight was to avoid the conse-
quences of three forgeries. The i'm
preston that he wanted 70 get rid
of his wife is also gaining ground To-day
J. B. Redwin. a well known money lender,
entered suit against J. J. Simmons as IN
dorser OF two notes discounted by the
plaintiff for Morris. The first Of these is
for $3.50. Mr.. Simmons admits having
Endorsed but claims that the amount was
raised from 500 The second, which was
for S125, ne pronounced a straightout for
gerry. Both notes were payable in three
months, and one fell due just four days
after Morris disappeared.
WHY HE INDORsED-
Mr.. Simmons says that he frequently in
dorsed paper for Morris under an arrange
ment by which the latter bought and sold
real estate, the profits from which were
shared in by the former. Last YEAR he in
dorsed several notes, which Morris pre-
tended TO have destroyed, in favor of the
Neal Loan and Banking Company. He
said that he could procure the
money he needed elsewhere. Mr.. Simmons
thought this looked odd, but the confidence
he felt in Morris kept him from suspecting
anything until the other day. when one of
the notes fell due and he was notified and
paid il. This had also been raised from
800 10 $500 What has become Of the
balance of the paper is unknown. Sim
mons will resist further payments in the
courts.
OVER $1,000 scooPED IN.
There is no telling how many business
men have been bitten. 1t is now estimated
that the losses sustained through him by
such as have yet complained amount in all to
something over IS, 900. Rumors of a pretty
travelling companion for the absconding
cashier are thick tonight. This afternoon
IL was learned that the Atlanta, Edgewood
aud Decatur Building and Loan Associa-
ton. one of the institutions Morris was for
merly connected with as secretary, suffered
a loss of $3.50 through shortage in his
accounts. j. G. Simmons and George
Ware were then his bondsmen.
SIMMONS DISCOVERY.
After Morris had been called on to indorse
the new loan and banking company's
notes, Of which there were so many
that the indorser, it appears, has
lost track Of their number, he I'M
dertook 20 obtain his signature to still
another for 81 and was refused. Mr..
Simmons suspicious we're at last aroused,
and he inquired Of the president why Nor
ris had been superseded as secretary Of the
building and loan association. He then first
became aware Of the 81 800 shortage, and he
ana Ware the other bOndsman, called Nor
us to terms. Ever ready with expedients the
latter conveyed to them certain property
held by him, which. after he had paid back
$500 of his shortage. seemed ample to secure
them. But, in fact, a $500 mortgage al
ready rested on the property, and when it
came TO be sold the bondsmen still found
themselves liable in like amount, which
they will have to pay.
TOOK LITTLE FROM EACH.
Morris seems to have .swindled none of
the parties vet heard from OF any very large
amounts, but the success of his operations
is all the more striking, there being so many
victims. 1t is said that just before leaving
town Christmas he circulated very freely
among the merchants. paying small bills
with big checks which could not be cashed
that day and pocketing the change. 1t
is not yet known how much he
gather ed up in that way. The Fidelity and
Casualist Insurance Company, which
signed his temporary bond when
he became connected with the
Southern Loan and Banking Company, to-
day swore out warrant charging the de-
faulter with larceny after trust, and tele-
grams have been sent out in all directions
by the chief of police.