The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-19
A CUNNING
Cra~fordsvilIc Banks Come Near Be
ing Touched for a Fla Roll.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind, Dec. 1S.-An
three banks Of this city-Elston's, the First
National and the Citizens National-have
had a narrow escape from a cunningly-de-
vised plan to swindle each out of a large
roll of money, exactly how much cannot
be stated, but the sum would no doubt
have run I'd into the thousands. Shrewd
work on the part OF landlord A. Nj. Jones,
of the hotel where the would-be swindler
was stopping. aided I'm circumventing the
trick and resulted in the capture of the
main operator to-day, although 1t is be-
lieved the crook who originated the scheme
escaped, and that only his dupe was appre-
hended. The prisoner is believed to be
Louis Paquet, Of No. 47 Davis street, Chi
cago. Acting apparently under instruc-
lions of some bold bank swindler, the mar
arrived here two weeks ago and registered
as L. Furber. Chicago. He pretended to
be d German cattle dealer and made de-
posits of 500 and less sums at each of the
banks TO establish a business standing.
He studied the lay of the town we'll. ia
miliarized himself with the city officers and
carefully avoided making acquaintances.
Then he disappeared and returned again in
a couple or Gays, registerIhg as =; f2rDef,
lord Jones saw him writing checks on all
the banks named, and concluded to inves-
tigate He made the round of the banks
and acquainted the officers of his suspicion.
d. H. jackson. OF Elston's Bank, recog-
a deposit there Of 500. At the
First National he had q deposit under
the name of B.. Pfrefenger and at the Citi-
zens' National he was doing business as
George Gerlack. At ElstonS Bank he left
"A note for collection for 1915 on a Mr.. Beck
with, of L.adoga. Beckwith has since proved
to be an accomplice, and sent back a check
for 800 in part payment. saying he would
call and settle for the rest. Vt the First
National he left a note for collection on n
Mr.. Myers, of Ladoga, presumably the same
compl who likewise made a partial
payment He also did business at the sew
eral banks, drawing against himself under
different names at each of the other banks.
When Furber, or Forber, was identified
bankers notified the officers, who prepared
10 nab their man at once. This was last
Friday, on which day he disappeared again.
taking with him the bulk OF his deposits in
the several banks. He had meantime rented
"a room in the Bryant Block and returned
to these quarters last night from Chicago.
AS was expected, he started out this morn
ing TO make his play on a larger scale. AT
Elston's Bank he deposited two checks,
amounting To 1921, against his assumed
names of Gerlack and Pfrefenger at the
other two banks. From Eiston's Bank he
went direct 10 the Citizens National. and
wanted 10 draw against the assumed names
by which he was known at Elston's and
the First National. but his business was re-
fused. He met with the same rebuff at the
First National, and drew out his remain
for ElstOn's Bank with the view OF collect
ing the notes left there and leaving town
before officers should get on 10 him. How
ever, Mr.. Jackson, IF Elston's. had notified
officer Grimes, who laid for him. Per-
ceiving himself Swallowed by Grimes.
and seeing Prosecutor Moffett en-