Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-29
BIDwELL's FORGERY.
The Famous Frauds on the Bank OF Eng
land and How They Were Carried Out

The Famous Frauds on the Bank OF Eng.
land and How They Were Carried Out
From the indianapolis Journal.
A cablegram announced . few days ago tina
motion for the pardon Of Austin Bidwen had
been brought before the British house of COM
mons and voted down. Thereby hangs a re-
markable story Of crime. Austin Bidwell is an
American and native Of Michigan. He was an
active accompice in series Of the largest for
geries ever perpetrated on the Bank of England.
They amounted to more than 5000, 600. His
brother, Geo. Bidwell, planned the crime and
was the leader in its execution, though there
were one or two other accomplices 1t occurred
In 1873. George Bidwell started in business in
small way in Michigan. and from there re-
moved to New York. He was very bright.
capable and cnterprising. Gradually and al
most insensibly he fell into crooked business
methods and finally developed into a full
fedged swindler and forger. During the war
period he had a varied criminal career in this
hold him, b. fed to England. By this time
was well known in criminal and police
a les.
IN England he fell in with other criminals
and planned the Bank of England forgeries
His thorough knowledge of business methods
made him an adept in the business, and being
besides q skillful penman he q most
dangerous forger. The skill and patience
shown by the forgers in laying a foundation
for their crime, opening an account with the
Bank Of England, establishing business rela-
tons, DC, were wonderful
The scheme was SO far successful that the
forgers actually got several hundred thousand
dollars ont of the bank and came near getting
away with it. They were only detected at the
last moment. The following statement will
give an idea of their methods:
On the 4th Of May. 1872 an account was
opened at the Yves. End branch Of the Bank of
England by Austin Bidwell in the name of "F
A Warren" and it was evident that through
this account the forged bills were to be dis
counted. From the 4th OF May, 1872 to
January, 1873, the account was kept alive.
and on the 18th OF January a genuine
bill OF Messrs Rothschild was paid in.
| An account at the Continental Bank was
opened in December, 1872, for the purpose, it
was alleged, OF having Warren's checks paid in
| there and then drawn out again by drafts
| signed by Horton, the money being eventually
expended in the systematic purchase of Ameri-
can bonds. 1t was proved on the trial beyond
doubt that Austin Bidwell WAS both Warren and
Horton.
1t was necessary, in order to carry out the
gigantic fraud which was to follow, that
! there should be a division of labor, and per-
sons were accordingly engaged to concoct
the fictitious bills, to present the checks
| and to change bank notes into gold. After
the first genuine bill had been presented the
forged bills came up regularly to the west
end branch in letters dated from Birming-
ham, and signed by Warren. The scheme
was evidently that all the persons who could be
identified in the matter should be absent in the
latter part of the proceedings, and SO in Feb
ruary Warren Cor Horton) left London and
was not seen again by any of the bank authori-
| ties. Macdonald and George Bidwell. who had
not been seen by them, remained in London
and transacted the requisite business for War
rem, he leaving with them number Of checks
| on the Bank of England and the Continents
| Bank, signed in blank. After he left Noyes
paid in and drew out the money ON Horizons
account
On August Is, 1873, at the central criminal
court, before Mr.. Justice Archibald, COM
| menced the trial Of Austin Biron Bidweil, aged
twenty-seven, no occupation; George Macdon-
nell, aged twenty-eight, clerk; George Bidwell,
aged thirty-four, and Edward Noyes, aged
to take their trial Upon several indictments
charging them with forging foreign
| bills Of exchange and thereby defraud-
| ing the Bank Of England Of over flO0,-
| 600. The trial lasted until the 26th when the
| whole Of the prisoners were found guilty and
sentenced to transportation for life. The chief
| evidence was given by bank officials who had
transacted business for the prisoners; engrav-
ers, who had prepared plates under their in
| spection; hotel keepers, at whose houses they
Vernon, who had lived some time with George
Bidwell.
The discovery Of the forgeries caused great
excitement. and q hue and cry was raised for
the arrest Of the forgers. They scattered and
made desperate efforts to escape, but without
avail. Every British seaport was guarded,
| and the islands were made too hot for them.
After a series Of remarkable adventures George
Bidwell was finally captured in Edinburgh.
At the time Of his conviction he was Q hand
| some man in the prime Of life. After serving
about fifteen years of his sentence he WAS par
doned, and came out Of prison completely
broken down Having had enough of crime
| and its consequences he determined to abandon
q criminal career and return to his native coun-
try and family; whom he had not seen for
twenty years. He did 90, and is now living
with his family in Massachusetts,, Q reformed
| and penitent man. Although the British gov
| eminent showed leniency in his case, it has
persistenuy refused to pardon his brother,
Austin Bidwel, and he win probably end his
days in prison.