Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-06
A TELLER'S QUICK WIT.
HE CATCHES A FoRGER IN VERY
SHORT ORDER.
The Sharp Game Played by A. w. An
drews, of lndianapolis-He Tries
to Beat the Savings Bank OF
Southern California.

a very Dolu ana successful forgery was
perpetrated yesterday morning at the
Savings Bank of Southern California.
and the capture of the forger was due to
the alertness of Teller A. H. Braly
About 10 O'Clock man entered the
bank and presented deposit book made
out to Frank Theiste, stating that he
wished to draw out his funds, amounts
ing to 5000. intimating that he in
tended going east. Theste was not very
we'll known at the bank, having been in
the city only few weeks. His sigma
| ture had been left at the bank according
to the usualcustom. Mr.. Braly glanced
at it and the signature made bv the GUS
TONER to the receipt required of those
who withdraw their funds. 1t seemed
to be all right, and the money was paid
over to the man, who received it and
with some pleasant remark lett the
bank.
After the young man left the bank Mr..
Braly again looked at the two signatures,
and upon the second examination they
did not seem so much alike as at first.
Upon thorough inspection he became
suspicious that all was not correct. and
started out to hunt up the young man.
He went over to the Santa Fe company's
city Office, and found there that a voung
man answering the description of his
customer had purchased ticket to Gin
cinnati short time before, and had
stated that he would start by the noon
train for his destination.
Mr.. Brsly lost no time, but securing
Officer Rinkenbaugh, of the police force,
hurried down to the Santa Fe depot.
| They went through the overland, and in
one OF the cars found the young man who
had signed the name OF Frank rheiste to
the receipt. He was told that there was
something wrong about the signature,
and his presence was required at the
bank. He is young fellow of pleasing
address. and seemed to be much put out
at being interrupted in his journey. He
stated that his name was Theiste, as he
had signed it, and asked if it was not
possible to arrange it go that he could
go on. The officer gently, but firmly,
insisted on his accompanying him, and
he was brought to the police station,
where he was soon behind the bars.
after almost succeeding in very clever
and bold piece of work.
In the meantime Frank Theiste was
found. He is machinist, and came to
Los Angeles from the north about six
weeks ago. He is at present at
work, and the forger, whose name is
A. w. Andrews has been rooming with
him. Andrews made Theiste's acuuaint-
ance on the boat coming down, from
Sau Francisco, and the acquaintances
grew to quite friendly liking for each
other by the time they arrived in the
city. Andrews proposed that they room
together, and the proposition was ac-
cepted. They secured room, and
everything seemed to be moving along
in a prosaic and innocent manner.
Theiste deposited his money in the saw.
ings bank and kept his bank book in
his room. Yesterday morning Andrews
went out early and Theiste did not miss
his book until he was notified OF An
drews' arrest. His slippery roommate
coolly appropriated the book, and
personating Theiste, secured the funds,
with which he would have been we'll on
his way east if it had not been for Mr..
Braly's second inspection Of his sigma
ture.
From letters and memorandum book
found upon Andrews person it appears
that his home is in Indianapolis, and
that bis mother lives there, at 6lO north
Illinois street. On one page in the
memorandum book are few lines writ
ten in pencil. in which he says his name
is A. w. Andrews, and that his home is
with his mother. An admoniton to
send him there is written on the page as
if he had prepared for his Identification
if he should die. There is a line or two
stating that the writer is out of money
and has travelled many miles. Andrews
was lodged in the county Jail late in the
afternoon. and is pretty sure of more
or less extended residence at San Quen-
tin. The money he paid for his ticket
was refunded to its owner, all the money
being recovered except $3.50, which he
had spent.