The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
A Story of Crime.

A cabIegram announced q few days ago
that motion for the pardon of Austin
Bidwell had been brought before the British
House of Commons and voted down. There
by hangs q remarkable story of crime.
Austin Bidwell is an American and native
of Michigan. He was an active accompllce
In q series of the largest fOrgeries ever per-
petrated on the Bank of England. They
amounted to more than 100000 His elder
brother. George Bidwell. planned the
crime and was the leader in it's execution,
though there were one or two other &C
completes. 1t occurred in 1873 George Bid
we'll started in business in a small way in
Michigan, and from there removed to New
York. He was very bright. capable and
enterprising. Gradually and almost in
sensibly he fell into crooked business
methods and finally developed into
full-fedged swindler and fOrger. During
the war period he had q varied criminal
career in this country. and finally. when 1t
got too hot to hold him. he fed to England.
By this time he was we'll known in criminal
and police circles. In England he fell In
with other criminals and planned the Bank
Of England fOrgeries. His thorough knowl-
edge of business methods made him an
adept in the business and being besides
sklllful penman. he was q mos: dangerous
forRer. The skill and patience shown by
the forgers in laying foundation for their
crime, opening an account with the Bank
of England. establishing business relations,
etc., were wonderful. The scheme was 90
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 West-end branch OF the Bank of
England by Austin Bidwell, in the name of "F
A. Warren" and 1t was evident that through
this account the forged bills were to be dis
counted. From the 4th of May, 1872, to Janu-
airy, 1873, the account was kept alive, and on
the 18th OF January genuine bill of Messrs.
Rothschiid was paid In. An account at the Con-
tinental Bank was opened In December, 1872,
tor the purpose. 1t was alleged, of having War.
ren's checks paid In there, and then drawn out
again by drafts signed by Horton. the money be-
ing eventually expended In the systematic pur.
chase of American 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 gil
gantic fraud which was TO follow, that there
should be division of labor. and persons were
accordingly engaged to cOncOct the fictitious
bills, 10 present the checks, and TO change bank
notes into gold. After the first genuine bill had
been presented the forged bills came up regu-
larry to the Westend branch in letters dated
from Birmingham and signed by Warren. The
scheme was evidently that all the persons who
could be identified In the matter should he absent
In the latter part of the proceedings, and SO in
February Warren tor HOrton) left London and
was not seen again by any OF the bank author1-
ties mcdonnell and George Bdwell. VINO had
not been seen by them, remained In London and
transacted the requisite business for Warren, he
leaving with them @ number Of checks on the
Bank of England and the Continental Bank
signed in blank After he left Noyes paid In and
drew out the money on Vorton's account
On the 18th of Auggst, 1878, at the Central
Criminal Court, before Mr.. Justice Archibald,
commenced the trial OF Austin Biron Bidwell,
aged twenty-seven. OF no occupation; George
Macdonald, aged twenty eight, clerk; George
BidweIl aged thirty-fOur, merchant, and Edward
Moves. aged twenty nine clerk. who were placed
at the bar take their trial upon several indct-
ments charging them with forging foreign bills
OF exchange and thereby defrauding the Bank OF
England of over 100000 The trial lasted
until the Goth, when the whole of the prisoners
we're found guilty and sentenced to transporta-
ton for life. The chief evidence given by
bank officials who had transacted business for
the prisoners. engravers who had prepared
plates under their inspection. hotei-keepers at