St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-15
IN A QUEER FIX.
Shields Takes a City Warrant
From a Bank

Ex-Patrolman Edward Shields was
placed on the police pension roll by the
trustees of the pension fund at their
September meeting, and S357.50 back
pension was allowed him, in addition to
$3.50 per month, which he will draw
until he dies or the fund gives out. The
trustees at first denied his application,
on the ground that he was not entitled
to place on the pension roll under the
law. Attorneys Henry Johns and w.
Z. Murray took the matter into the dis
trict court, and after hearing OF the
facts before Judge Willis an order was
made by the court which resulted in the
trustees taking the action above NEIL
toned. The check for the back pen
sion, amounting to $3.50, was made out
by the comptroller and held for Shields
order Pending the making out of the
check. Shields notified City Treasurer
Miller not to pay the money to any one
but himself. A day or so after this no
LITIGATION, Henry Johns, as attorne in
fact for Shields, called at the comptrol-
ler's office, and as Shields had not taken
the trouble TO inform McCardy, the
check was turned over, Johns receipt
ing as attorney for the check. When
Johns presented the check to the city
treasurer, the official refused to pay it,
owing 10 the notification given him by
Shields. The city attorney was appealed
to, but he advised that under the circum-
stances it would not be right TO pay
Johns. In order to realize on the
check it was deposited in the Mer-
chants National bank, and, as both
Johns and Murray Endorsed it. the
money Was paid. The bank sent the
check to the city treasurer's office for
collection, but City Treasurer Miller
still refused to cash it, unless the bank
would guarantee the payment or Shields
would sign.
Shields, seen at the time, SAID that he
mad paid the attorneys $40 in cash for
services and was willing TO make fur
tner payment, but was not willing to
give the attorneys 5000 of the 1857 as
their part of the fees. Yesterday
Shields called at the Merchants Ma
tlonal bank, and the teller, thinking he
had decided to sign the check, handed
1t out. Shields said that he intended to
sign, but not just at this time, and
carefully folding the check up placed it
III mo pOChCLUOUk. TOr several minutes
things were decidedly lively about the
bank. The clerk informed the cashier,
and that official argued and threatened,
but Shields stuck to the check, claim
Ing that it was his and the attorneys had
no right to draw the money on it, ex-
cept at his order. In order 10 con-
vince Shields that he was wrong and
had committed the crime of larceny in
snatching the check and retaining it
an official of the bank accompanied
him to the county attorneys Office
The situation was explained to County
Attorney Butler, who at once advised
Shields to give back the check. In case
he should not, the county attorney told
him he would be liable to arrest for
larceny. This. however, did not make
Shields weaken. and the conference
ended by Shields WALKING out of the
office. Cashier Seymour called OH the
city treasurer late yesterday afternoon,
and notified him not to pay Shields the
money. Whether Shields will give up
the check without legal fight is
question; as is also the course which the
bank officials will take.