Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-09
signature on tho bank book is a wonder

signature on tho bank book is a wonder
fully clever forgery.
Slowly and carefully the detective and
the cashier the latter with the eye OF IN
experienced expert in such matters, COM
pared the signatures on the warrants with
the signature on the book. The detective
felt convinced that all had been written by
the same hand. So did the cashier. "'rhey
are the same signatures" asserted the
latter positively. "unless there has been q
very deceptive piece of forgery executed
And in that case the forger must have had
a great amount of practice in initiating
the name TO make him SO proficient.
HE HAD BETTER MAKE A CLEAN BREAST
OF IT."
added the bank official sententiously, as
he closed the book.
Another coincidence is that the sigma
ture III the book at the bank was placed
there April 18th. And April 18th Is the
date the account was opened-the date of
the initial deposit of five dollars in the
bank of the Philadelphia Savings Fund
Society, in book No. 6l2.0iS. by one sign
ing himself "Wm. j. Blackburn police
officer, Wilmington, DELI
WAITING FOR ORDERS.
The next step was to investigate the diff
ferent deposits and learn If the receiving
clerks had any recollection of the personal
appearance of the party or parties making
them, although it would be remarkable il
they did, considering the great number of
persons with whom the institution trans
acts business daily. But at this point the
Investigation was stopped by the bank Off
cials. Their rules permit no examination
of deposit without the authority of the
depositor or his legal representative, and
Detective Witsil was informed that he
must have authority from "Mm. J. Black
burn, police officer Wilmington, Del. -
before he could be allowed to proceed fur
ther. At the cashiers suggestion he wrote
and sent the following dispatch to Chief
Blackburn, in this city:
PHlLApEipiliA. Pa. June S-W j. blackburn,
CHIEF n Poiice, Wilmington, Del win YOU wire
Philadelphia savings Fund Society to allow US
to Investigate the deposit in your manner
WiTsiL AND McvBy.
Detective Witsil took this dispatch to the
Western Union telegraph office, at Tenth
and Chestnut streets, and had IL wired To
Wilmington. Then he returned to the
savings fund Office to await an answer
from Chief blackburn, and also to await
the arrival of Detective McVey, who had
gone TO Philadelphia on u later train.
CHIEF BLACKBURN GOES TO PHILADELPHIA.
Immediately after the disposal of
Strouds case, in municipal court, yesterday
morning, Chief of Police Black burn also
went to Philadelphia, taking the 1905
train.
shortly after his departure Detective
Witsil's dispatch, which was filed in the
Philadelphia office at lO.1 o'clock, reached
tho police station in this city. II was re-
ceiyed by Captain Francis.
The captain tore the message open and
read it, Then he hastily thrust it into his
pocket and said not word
CHIEF BLACKBURN INTERVIEWED.
Chief of Police Blackburn was busy with
some papers in the mayors office at the
him yesterday morning. He greeted the
city nail when GAZETTE reporter found
reporter cordially and continued his peru.
sal OF the papers spread before him. pre-
pairing them for the meeting of the Board
OF Police Commissioners this evening
When questioned as to the course ht
| would pursue relative to any connection
| he might have with the bank deposit bool,
found on Edward I. Stroud bearing the
name of wv. j. Blackburn he stated
| that he proposed to vindicate himself
thoroughly. He said he would make 1
thorough Investigation Of the matter a.
soon as possible. Chief Blackburn sale
that he had not stated, as reported in
morning paper, that he and Detective
morning TO see the signature at the bank
| OF the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society
He did not say that he would not go, how
ever.
MAYOR wILLEY's CONFIDENCE.
The reporter also saw Mayor Wiley a
his office in the Wilmington Dental Manu-
featuring Company's building, Nos. 1OlC
and l0i2 King street.
Then il was that u reporter interviewer
him with reference to any Investigation h,
proposed to make touching the position o.
1 nalg
that he was satisfied with the statement,
made by Chief Blackburn and that h,
placed the utmost confidence in him. ii,
was satisfied that Chief Black burn had no
received any money from the gamblers
and SO far as he was concerned, the mayo
said, he was perfectly satisfied with til,
statements made to him by the chief. Ii,
said he had known Chief Blackburn TO
| IS years.
'Will the Board of Police Commissioner
take cogniZance of the affair and make al
investigation the reporter asked.
There Is to be a meeting Of the boar,
thls evening, but it is not called with refer
ence to the matter at ALL 1t is simply tn
meeting that should have been held Mon
day night.
COMMISSIONER LAwsoN's VIEWS.
Police Commissioner John w. Lawson
was seen yesterday and asked by th
reporter.
"Does the Board Of Police Commits
sloners propose to investigate the case o
chief Blackburn at its meeting this even
ing"
There is to be a meeting Of the boar
this evening. Ny understanding is tina
the Injecting is called at bIr. Black burn
request: He came To me last evening an,
asked that meeting be called as he de
sired To- have the matter investigated FULLY
presume the investigation will take plac
tonight"
EXAMINED ny BLACKBURN.
special Dispatch to Gazette and journal.
PHILADELPHIA, June s.-Chiof Of Polio
blackburn came to Philadelphia hi
morning and examined on the signatlr
book OF the Philadelphia Savings Fun
Society the name "NNm. j. blackburn
police officer Wilmington, Dell Annexc
"a this address are the words "and Emil
u"
Chief blackburn denied the signatur,
but admitted that it looked like lis. ii
also said that Emily BIZ was his wife
iirst name.
WOOLTOS nam ESTATE.
A Minor Child Obtains Its share of n,
| I,rftrt..t,fy l,y