The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-03-14

A very clever fraud has just left the
city and did up the Wichifa National
bank to the tune of abont 81 ,05O
About three weeks ago MIR. Steward
put ~ at Mrs. Lanes lOdgiDg-house at 254
North Market street aud stated there that
he was from Virginia. hat he came here
not only for his health, but lie considered
it n better field for the investment OF his
money in loans than Virginia. He was
good boarder, didn't eat very much, was
quiet in his disposition, temperate In his
Labits. and, best of all. paid in advance.
Mr.. Steward did not go abroad very
much. He strolled down town occa-
sionnlly, looked neither to the right nor
to the left at the giddy things of life and
An all occasions walked the straight and
narrow path. In fact Mr.. Steward was
a kind Of an invalid-a bachelor who had
more money and good morals than health.
About three weeks ago during one OF
lis afternoon strolls he visited the South
western Business college aud had a pleas
ant chat with Professor Fritch, its
proprietor, who received him very
courteously, He told Mr.. Eritch
that in his youth he did not have many
of the advantages of the world, that MS
education was neglected and thai, In fact,
he had determined to make up for his lost
opportunities by taking course IL the
business college if the terms suited him.
h1
have a scholarship for $50 which WAS quite
satisfactory. He said that he wonld be
around soon, pay for his scholarship aud
enter the cellege.
MIR. Fritch and his prospective pupil be-
gan to talk more freely of their
PERSONAL affairs. Stew ird told
him that he mad some SIS, 900 from the
Income of which he lived. He said
that he desired TO move to Wichita for
Two reasons. First the climate suited
him and second the opportunities We're
more favorable for getting profitable ac-
lion on his money. In Virginia he WAS
loaning money as low as Two per cent ana
he did not think he would continue any
longer to do that rs long ass he could loan
il in Wichita for ten and twenty per cent;
He bid Mr.. Fritch a very polite good
,lav" end promised to SEE MIN again soon.
Two we. ks rolled by and Mr.. Fitch did not
see bIm. He being the head OF great
business college he considered it matte
Of practical business to look
after the man he expected 10
sell q scholarship to. He accordingly
went 10 Mr.. Stewards boarding house and
learned that he was sick in Illinois TO
which place he had gone on business
visit.
Last Thursday Mr.. Stewart visited the
business college and, OF course, Mr.. Fritch
was glad to zee him and inquired after his
health. MIR. Stewart assumed quite
languid appearance and expressed nm
self as still feeling very weak and wretched.
He asked Mr.. Fritch about the banks
and desired him to recommend him one.
Mr.. Fritch stated that all the banks were
good, that he, himself. did busl-
ness with the State National
and the Wichita National. There
was scmet hin., about the name OF the lat
lei. tthHv struck his fancy and he guessed
be, would do business there. He then drew
from his pocket "A draft, stated that he
wbuld go M aud cash it and then pay Mr..
Fritch the so co for the scholarship. MIR.
Fritch was going to the bank himself aud
he would accompany him. Mr. Steward
was delighted. When they arrived at the
Wichita National they stepped IN and Mr..
Fritch introduced Steward to the receiving
teller as a gentleman who desired TO do
business with the bank The receiving
teller smiled graciously aud expressed his
desire TO have Mr.. Stewards business
The latter pulled out II draft Tor s39o
and deposited il. He was given
rheck books bank books and
all the paraphernalia of "A depcsior. The
first check he drew was Que for $50. anu
paid Mr.. Friich for his scholarship That
was done about last Thursday, and the
next day be deposited a draft for 500, and
IL WAS placed to his account. lie drew
pretty freely on his account. and 1t only
required few days to have the whole
thing withdrawn.
The next exciting feature in this fnan-
cial romance was a dispa ch received by
the Wichita National from the eastern
bank from which the draft of $3.50 was
supposed to emauate, stating that 1t Was
forgery. The other draft has not
been heard from, as there is not yet
time. bnt there is no doubt that 1t.
too, is n rank forgery. When the forgery
was discovered messengers went In hot
haste to Mrs. Lanes lodging house TO see
Mr.. Steward but 10. and behold, he was
gone, leaving word there that be had gone
ont in the country TO make n few loaus and
would be buck in day OF two. He has
not come back and hss evidently gone oil
to Join Tascotl. Billy Patterson's assailant,
Charlie Ross and the other distinguished
gentlemen who are travelling about In
coguiio.
Officer Bedford Woods has been given
charge of the case aud he Is trying to run
Mr. Steward To his !slr