The record-union., 1894-03-24
SYSTEM OF FoRGERIEs
Practiced by Gang of Professional
on st. Louis Banks.

Practiced by a Gang of Professionals
on st. Louis Banks.
ST. LOUIS (Mo.), March 23.-A series of
forgeries of the most remarkable kind
have been unearthed in this city, and de-
tectives are now at work upon it. at least
eight banks have suffered, and probably
more. The aggregate Of the forged paper
will reach $4,000, all of which sum goes
into the pockets of a gang of profess
slonals, who have succeeded by the use of
a system never before equaled. the
principal featureiof which was the secur-
ing OF genuine blanks and full knowledge
OF the serial numbers, by which knowl-
edge they were able not only to minimize
the danger in uttering, but also delay de-
lection. The Continental Bank, Bank of
the. Republic and Citizens Bank admit
suffering losses, but individually state
that no one bank will lose a large sum.
The number of persons in the gang is
supposed to be not exceeding three.
Their knowledge of banking and busi-
ness methods and the versatility of their
autograph artist are admittedly ample.
Their preparations were elaborate, and
consumed some time, but their haul was
made with astonishing rapidity. AS only
few of thei1 checks have been passed
upon by the alleged drawers, it is i'm
possible to say how much the forgers
took, but not less than $50, 1000.
The forgers first took account Of the fact
that checks drawn by business houses are
written usually upon the firms own
autographed heading, photographed by
numb bers on check stubs. The forgers.
therefore, did not counterfeit the blank
check forms OF their victims, but num-
bered their checks close to the numbers
OF the checks then running with each
victimized firm. To get thisiIatter oppor-
tunity to see the genuine check books
was accomplished in various ways. In
one case, that OF the Charles w. Melcher
Company, whose signature was forged to
a check for $500, a young man, stating
that he represented the printing house
which Autographed the firms checks,
asked permission to see their check book,
as he was sent out to trace UP books
alleged to have been badly Autographed.
The ruse succeeded, and was probably
used in some of these cases. In this in
stance the bank lost $500. AS there were
eight or more other banks victimized,
and no one knows how many firms, there
is no way to tell the total loss. Moreover,
the police will not communicate.
AS near as can be learned all the for
geries were committed last Friday and
Saturday. The only banks which ac-
knowledge suffering are those named,
but practical assent was given to inqui-
ries made at five other banks, and it is
possible thatmore were visited. Of the
alleged drawers of the forged checks, the
signatures of +. E. Little q Co., feather
dealers, and Julius Labsap, wholesale
clothier, are known to have been forged
in addition to that of the G. w. Melcher
Machine Company.
AS one instance of the work of the
gang, in less than an hour after the call
of the alleged printing representa-
tive upon Mr. Melcher. $500 check bear
ing G. w. Melcher's signature, and being
an exact duplicate in its engravings and
printing of the green checks of the firm,
was presented at the Continental Bank
and paid. 1t had all been previously
prepared except the serial number,
which was supplied at the last moment
for the reason stated. 1t happened to be
four numbers out OF the way by the time
the forger reached the bank, but this was
close enough for the purpose of the
swindlers In the case of julius Labsap.
another victim of the gang, not only was
the signature of Mr.. Labsap cleverly
forged, but the forger was very familiar
with his business. The forged check was
honored promptly. Wood 6c Co. printed
the checks for the Melcher Machine
Company, and T. e. Little q Co. are
much interested in having the guilty
OartieS run down.