New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-19
"SENATOR HILLS FRIEND" LOCKE.
HE WAS 4 GUEST AT THE NORM >NDIE-GONt
NOW AND CHECKS RETURNED

HE WAS GUEST AT THE NOEM\NDIE-GONE
NOW AND CHECKS RETURNED.
General Ferdinand p. Earle, Of the Hotel Nor
mandie. according 10 all accounts. has had an ex-
pcfience with man whose methods are similar 10
those OF the Count Arco- who easily succeeded
In swlndling Mr.. Ioyt. the proprietor Of the Vie
toria Hotel. When Senator David u. Hill was al
the Hotel Normandle recently. John u. Locke, OF
Elmlra registered al the house. and the guests say
that he and senator IIill seemed TO be on intimate
terms. Locke. II appears al one time was an
official In the State Forestry Commission. and II was
said he owed his appointment 10 Senator lin.
General Earle and the Senator warm friends.
and all acquantances Of Mr.. Hill have cordial
welcome AT the NOrmandie When Senator lIill de
parted for Washington Locke remained In IN" house
and il is said that General Earle went out Of bis
way make life pleasant for the oh-timc aeqnaiht-
ance OF lis friend Mr.. Hill.
Locke did not make n secret OF his alleged close
intimacy with Dave" Hin. he fanlliarly called
the Senator. and not long after his arrival In the
hotel Locke was referred to by the clerks and guests
of the house as the bosom ficnd Of Senator David
Il. Hill,
a day or two after the Senator went 10 the
Capital Locke. the story goes presented "A check
for a large amount AT the cashiers desk ana when
the check was referred General Earle for approval
he at told the cashier 10 oblge Mr.. Locke With
what amount he wanted II is also said that when
Mr. Locke thanked General Earle for his blindness,
the General replied "Oh. the pleasure l. mine. Any
time you wish TO be accommodated In thar way, don't
hesitate 10 call us"
Locke 1t appears. took advantage OF the Generals
offer In a most liberal way. and second " call" wa
made on the cashier after the first attempt proved
so successful The second check, IL Is said much
larger than the first
soon after getting tine money from the cashier Mr..
Locke received "A sudden call from home; al least he
said So The sudden Illness Of his wife in Elmira, he
said, mndc it necessary for him TO 90 home at once
He dd not forget 10 bid General Earle ahcctiOnate
" good-by' and when leaving said
Don't forget TO give my best regards TO my friend
Dave iii when he returns. shall return 10 settle
my New York business soon as my wife gets we'll
Mr. Locke however. has moi yet returned. but II day
or two after his departure his checks were returned
No account In large red letters. was stamped acro,,
fine face OF the cheeks and "a subsequent investigation
showed that John u. Locke not known at the bank
where he said he had an account.
Reports about Mr. Locke were 'elegiaph"d from FL
mira Yesterday, and 1t was said that he was much
sought for man there. warrant had been sworn out
for bis arrest.
When II Tribune reporter called at ~" lio''l ~"
mandic Yesterday and asked the clerk II he kn'" NJ
Locke he replied "Oh, yes; We know INN qi'e wei
here
:. Have Won heard the report about the worthless
checks he cashcd here 2 h" was aSK'u'
Yes. bu, General Earle is the only man who can
talk about the case"
General Earle was exceedingly reccni when ne was
ost.d If no knew I'D. Is. Ill's friend Locke lie
appcarcd TO De much disturbed when ne Learned ''"'
Loc,.'s method, lad been made public =, oe
don't care 10 talk about the man M all "''
all no could De induced 10 say