Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-13
BLAIR IS WANTED.
HE GETS $SI6 ON a BOGUS
CHECK AND DISAPPEARS.
A BIG DRAFT DENIED.
Tried to Have One Cashed for
$2, but Failcd--Futiie
Trip TO Norfolk.


TO be the State secretary OF the Young
People's Society OF Christian Endeavor
of Minnesota, the vice-president of the
Consolidated Brush Company Of Chi
cago, and the representative OF large
syndicate of philanthropists who were
building temples and homes for Good
Tomplar aud Observation-Disclosures lodges
and societies.
Blair is wanted hero for the forgery
OF draft for 81, l32.47, drawn upon the
American Exchange National Bank of
New York, and purporting to be signed
by the cashier OF the Citizens Bank OF
Mortified, Mimi, which was placed in
the Merchants National BANK here for
collection, payment being denied by
Cashier Burnett, and for passing bogus
check for 1916 drawn upon the Chase
National Bank OF New York, at the
Merchants National Bank. The latter
piece OF paper was endorsed by a we'll
known young business man, Of the city,
who will suffer its loss.
FRUITLEss TRIP.
The draft and check were placed in
the banks Monday morning, and on
Monday night Blair disappeared. He
had told friends at his boarding house
that he had an engagement at o'clock
that evening, and remarked to one or
two that he was going TO Norfolk TO
meet ex-Mayor Babb, of Minneapolis,
and a Mr.. Wilson, of Minnesota, who,
he claimed, were interested in the syndi-
cate, 10 which reference has already
been made.
Major Poe had been advised Of the
suspicious in regard 10 the young Chris
tian worker and had Sergeant Tomlin-
son on the lookout for him Monday Of
ternoon. At that time, however, there
was no certainty that the draft was not
genuine and no arrest was authorized by
Mr.. BouIware, president Of the First
National Bank. On Tuesday morning
the bank received o telegram from
the bank in Mortified in response
to dispatch in regard to the
draft pronouncing it forgery,
Major Poe and Sergeant Tomlinson took
the next train for Norfolk, thinking it
possible that Blair had gone there IN
accordance with his declared intention.
They made most indefatigable search
there for both the accused and ex-
Mayor Babb. but neither could be
found. Yesterday morning the
Richmond officers went over to
Old Point in the hope of
catching Blair or seeing Mr..
Babb, but their efforts were in vain, and
they returned to the city last night in
poor spirits. Major Poe knew nothing
Of the passage by Blair of the SSl6
check until lie returned 10 the city, the
matter not having been reported at his
Office until yesterday morning.
THE MAJOR BAFFLRD.
The Major was seen at his residence,
on Harrison street, by a DIsPATCH re-
porter las. night He said that he did
not feel that be was in any way RESPONSE
bic for the escape of Blair. as he was in
favor of taking him right in even
before the draft had been heard from.
He was sure that he was "pro-
fessional pious fraud" the worst kind
i'm the world. Chief Poe remarked
that he felt confident that with Alexan-
der Tomlinsons experience and his own
luck he would secure his man. 1t was,
he assured the scribe, the first time he
had ever gone after any one and returned
without him. He said that he was con-
fident from the moment he was given
the facts in regard to Blair that he was
crooked.
The Chief has not determined upon
the course to be pursued in capturing
Blair, but will devise a plal by morn
ing. He is hopeful.
ATTENTIVE TO THE CASHIER.
Blair came to Richmond little more
than month ago. He stopped for q
couple of days at Ford's Hotel, at the
expiration of which time he went to
private clearinghouse. 1t is now
thought that he selected the place he
did because Mr. II. G. Burnett, cashier
of the First National Bank. boarded
there, and that a well-laid though over
carried out plan then began.
Shortly after Blair became fell
low-border of the cashier the lat
ter WAS taken i'll. The stranger was
very attentive and frequently sent Mr..
Burnett flowers or fruits, manifesting
much interest in the hnancier. Those
little courtesies" were SO frequent
that Mr.. Burnett became little sus-
picious, and after his recovery spoke to
Mr.. Boulware, president of the bank,
about the man from Minnesota. MIR.
Boulware gave it as his opinion at once
that Blair had some object in view.
MAJOR POE AND BLAIR.
A most singular coincidence occurred
at the bank Monday morning while
Blair was endeavoring to get his draft
cashed. Mr. Boulware had sent for
Maj9r Poe in order that he might have
some conversation with him about the
"pious" young man from Minneapolis,
and when the Chief went into The presi-
dents private Office Blair was In the
Office OF the cashier talking about his
draft. Mr.. Burnett told him that he
could not cash the draft hut would take
ii and send 1t on for collection. Blair
was little astonished at this, as he ex-
pected to get the money, but he made
no objection TO the suggestion of the
cashier.
He walked out of the bank and must
have gone thence to zee the gentleman
who endorsed his check and arranged to
divest himself of the cash thus secured.
as only q short while afterward Blair and
the young man entered the Merchants
National Bank. The Christian worker
from Minnesota handed the check for
1916 across the counter and asked that
it be cashed. The paying-teller replied
that it would have to be endorsed before
this could be done. Blair remarked that
that would be easily accomplished, as his
friend, TO whom he wanted to give
some of the money for religious work.
would probably put his name across the
back Of the paper. The unsuspecting
young man offered no objection to en-
dorsing the check, and it WAS cashed.
Blair handed his friend $3.50, the amount
which he had subscribed for some chart
table work, and put the remainder of
the money in his pocket. The endorser
will. OF course, be the only person who
will lose by Blair's transactions, but the
blow is quite heavy one TO him. The
MaFehants' Rank faIaoranbad 60 +h>