Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-04
RETURN OF A FORGER,
James Hunter Returns. but His Mind is
About Gone.

About Gone.
James Hunter, who left the country in 1887
upon the advice of friends to whom he told the
financial standing of the milling firm Of John
and James Hunter and over whose head two
charges Of forgery have been hanging ever
since, has returned to his home in Philadelphia,
as narrated in yesterdays STAR, and is now I'M
der bail to appear at court.
He arrived in New'York on the steamer L.
quraneo from Montevideo on Sunday, in COM
pany with his son, James Hunter, jr., and i'm
mediately went to Philadelphia
David X. Furman. a son-in-aw. and Leedom
Sharp, a lifelong friend, who were consulted
about the matter on the same day, advised Mr.
Hunter, jr.. to lay the facts before District At
torney Graham.
subsequently DR.. Vim. E. Hughes examined
Mr. Hunter, ST., and certified that he was suffer-
Ing from dementia, was unable to talk intelli-
gently or transact any business, and that his
condition was permanent and likely to increase
In intensity. The result of a consultation was
that the district attorney agreed to accept
$4,000 bail for the appearance in court of
the returned forger
Mr.. Hunter. accompanied by his son. fed the
country in 1887. finally settling in Monte video,
where he was Joined by his wife. About wear
ago Mrs. Hunter died of SMALLPOX. and Mr.
decay, became completely unbalanced. 1t was
the fact of his fathers insanity that led the SON
to resolve to bring him back to this country to
face the indictments hanging over him Dur
ing Mr.. Hunters exile he was supported from
the income of the building operations of
his son.
The children Of Mr.. Hunter made move n
year ago to clear up the cloud of guilt hanging
over the head of their father, but Thomas G.
Hunter, one Of the sons. was stricken with
brain fever. and has been III ever since Now
they will push the case ahead and await the YER
dict of the court. After that they will await
the exriration Of the Chllds burial laws to have
the body of their mother brought here
The discoveries that led to the fight of James
Hunter came to light on March %, 1887, by the
issue OF attachments against tho firm of James
and John Hunter for $50. 900 on notes held by
Keen. Bodine & Co. Suits Immediately followed
on notes by several banks. The discovery was
then made that notes to the amount of Sl06. zoo
were forgeries, rerretrated. il is alleged by
James Hunter. The sheriff made a seizure of
the effects of James and John Hunter, the latter
being receiver of taxes at the time. An assign
ment for the benefit OF creditors was executed
to John Field. Mr.. Hunters brotLer-in-law.
who is now postmaster of Philadelphia.
The first warrant for Mr.. Hunters arrest on
the charge of forgery issued on the oath of
the cashier of the Mechanics National Bank.
The largest amount Of forgeries were perpe-
trated on the signature of James Long. then
president of the Union Trust Company. With
firm faith in the integrity OF John Hunter. John
Wanamaker came forward with an offer of
$4,000 to form syndicate to readjust the af-
fairs Of the wrecked firm. They took in Isaac
Smyth. Joel J. Baily and John c. Lucas The
assets were figured at $500 900 and the labili-
tics at 500. 900. and immediate steps were taken
in the process of liquidation.
The assigned cause of the trouble was land
speculation in the south and west that proved
Improbable and gradually dissipated the work
ing capital Of the firm. The New York, Norris
town and New Jersey assets of this firm were
from time to time seized for creditors BY de-
grees the indebtedness Of the firm has been dis
charged.