Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-04
LIVED BY ANIMBLE PEN.
HORACE D. BAKERS MANY AND CLEVER
FORG2aIgS
Wan!si In Many Siatos-Possd as Religions
ahusias; and Temperance Advocate Only
to Gain Tools for Bis Schemes

Burt, Of Mannington, last week at Vine
land, y. j., for passing forged paper on
the Warrington Bank. last October, as
detailed in the REGISTER, proves to be
u much wanted nan, and his capture is
said 10 be one Of the most important in
the annals OF police history. His arrest
is due the persistent efforts Of Mr..
Bart, who IS proprietor Of the Corner
Stone, Of this city, and who has been
advertising for him both in that paper
and by circulars for the past nine
months
Bakers operations have kept him In
the swim for several years, aud IL is
known thus far that his ntmble pen has
nettsd him fully 500, OOO He is an in
gsniOus, cool, calculating and indus
trious operator, banking upon the
credullty Of others. He set himself up
as a religious enthusiast, worming him
self into the good graces Of the members
OF churches and societies by his earnest
prayers aud exhOrtatiOns. and then
using these very people 10 further mis-
swindling schemes.
The record OF his operations, faith
fully kept by Pinkerton's National De-
teclive Agency, reads like a romance OF
the modern school. His long freedom
from capture Is tribute 70 his genius.
or GOOD PHILADELPHIA FAMILY.
Bakers real name is Robert r. Har-
yey, though his operations have been
conducted under the names of Henry
NJ. Thomas, Reade Halford, Herbert Z.
Roberts, Ralph c. Hunter, A. G.. Hinck-
ley, Lawrence Stevens, A. G. Buckley
C. T. Hiseock, Henry b. Scott, Frank
c. Woods, George p Sage, Frank Moul-
ton, Walter b. Snow, q. w. Nelson, w.
H. Bunner. Victor Fennick, w. II.
Miles and Horace ID. Baker. He is said
20 have been born 10 Virginia. and to
have moved with his parents to Philadel-
phia when he was boy. His father, q
reputable business man there, died some
years ago, and his mother, now quite
an old lady, still resides In this city.
III has two brothers in business In New
York City. He is ths only member OF
his family who is following q criminals
life.
HarvsY's movements have been traced
by the PinkeItOns 10 some time In the
SOS when be Is said 10 have served q
term of imprisonment In the California
State prison, after which he went 10
Montana and from there to Topeka,
Kansas. whore, under the name Of Rob
ert II. Alexander, ne claimed 20 be en-
gagged by the publishing house Of Rand,
McNslly & Co., OF Chicago. Here be
connected himself with the Order OF
Good Templars, Y. NJ. @. A. and other
religious and charitable organizations;
aud IL is said that he married the daugh-
ter Of very respectable family.
His criminal record in the East APP
pears 10 have been commenced In the
fall OF 1859, az Washington, ID. c.;
where, under the alias Of Robert l.,
Hall, on November "a OF that year, be
was arrested for forging the names
OF several business men to checks for
small amounts. On his arrest
IL was developed that be was wanted
in Montana and Colorado for forgerles
there and an effort was made 10
eXtradlte him, but he was tried
on March 81, 1890, for the Washington
offences, found guilty and sentenced to
three years in the Albany penitentiary,
from which be was discharged in Au-
gust, 1892. In the years since then
Harvey has let no grass grow under his
feet, but has fitted about through the
country, from town 10 town, making
passing acquaintance and leaving be-
HAD him a trail Of forged drafts biz
enough to send him to jail for the bal
RnCe Of his life.
sCHEMING on A HOSPITAL BED.
Harvey was taken IN while In Elmira, |
n. Y, during October, 1899. and was |
sent TO the Aryot ogden Hospital 10 |
that city. Even while thus stricken his |
fertile brain was at work aud the way |
be swindled the Twin Valley Bank, OF |
Alexandria, o., shows that his head was |
clear enough. He addred TO the bank /
the following clsverly-wOrded letter;
"GENTLEMEN-On September 10, while 4
sitting in the Rathburn house, in this city, |
a young man approached me. and after a /
few moments conversation, was attracted /
by my finger ring, and wanted 10 buy il. /
/ consented to sell it for $500. He only |
had $40 cash, but offered me S36S.2l draft /
drawn by your bank on a New York bank. /
The draft was No. $50, payable 70 George |
- AAlN uGAAAes e4knCu " W. W. OGUA AGs
cashier. / refused the draft until l could /
you. as l suspected II was fraud
1lent The next day l was taken sick \
with typhoid fever, and have been in the /
hospital ever since. During my Illness |
have often thought Of the draft, and have 4
curiosity to know il my sus-
plCiOus were correct. II you will take /
the trouble 20 inform me, / will DO under
obligations. l am California fruit
grower, living at San jose. Hoping 1 may
have the pleasure of reply, l am,
yours, etc,
"HENRY NJ. THOMAS,
&C. A. and o. Hospital, Elmira, y. Y"
The banks OF course replied that the
irait was fraud. but Harvey secured
oil he desirsd-the signature Of the
cashier aud 10 November, after his dis
charge from the hospital, the Twin Val
ey Bank was swindled out OF S12l.3O
% a draft on the National Bank Of the
Republic, OF New York. The clever
rogue had carefully planned his work,
Ind, getting fresh grip on health, pro-
,eeded 20 gather in the harvest, the
for which was on fSliOw
ground. He usually prepared for his
OrgerleS by entering into CORE
pUndence with some minister or
ulcer OF some religious or
yanizatlon In the city where be pro-
posed TO operate. He then followed up
bis correspondence with visit he
5 we'll verSed in the ritual of the Order
u Good Templars, understands the
6ibie thoroughly, is we'll acquainted
With Christian EndeavOr work, con-
IerSant with books and authors. and
he apparent sincerity OF his addresses
nd prayers al religious meetings a.
Ways brought him hosts of friends,
rom whom he soon picked out someone !
10 Introduce him at the bank be pro.
'oSed TO swindle. He then deposited 2