The herald., 1894-09-26
UNDER AN ASSUMED NAME.
Louis A. Jack Proves to Be An
drew Jackson Laird.
Arrested by Inspector Stuart of Chi
cago for Forgery.
The Checksred Career of Man Who Is
Accused OF RobbinE His own
Daugbter-Says He Tried
to Shield Her.

Yesterday morning ]. E. Stuart, post
Office inspector in charge of the Chicago
division, and Inspector M. Fl. Flint ar
rested a 4an who has been going in the
city for several months past under the
name of Louis A. Jack.
The arrest was made a. Jacks Office
in the Burdick block. 1t having been
intimated to the officers that Jack had
Haid he would never be taken alive. the
officials did not take any chances in
making the arrest.
The charge against Jack was made in
the United States district court at Chi
cago, and the complaint contains three
counts. He is accused under the name
OF Andrew j. Laird, bis true name. The
accusations are that January l, 1893. he
embezzled money order funds at the La
Grange, Ga, postoffice amounting to
$l00b3l; thai be neglected and refused
to deposit certain postal revenues,
stamps, cards, envelopes. wrappers, etc.,
Of the value of $820.76, and that he
issued three certain money orders of
800 payable to A. j. Locke, ON the
Chicago postofice. and forged the sig
nature OF his daughter to them, she be-
ing postmistress at La Grange at the
time.
Jack or Laird, which is his genuine
name, has been in the city for several
months as an agent oi the New York
Life Insurance company. He has
changed his appearance since coming
west, having shaved off his moustache
and putting on spectacles. but he ad-
mitted his identity at once when ar
rested.
Laird has had quite checkered career
and has occupied responsible positions.
He is very well known in Northern
Georgia and also in Washington City.
In Georgia he began as a deputy
United States marshal under Marshal
0. P. Fitsimmons for the northern dis
trict OF that state and was such for some
time. He then became clerk in the
postoffice department at Washington.
He was later transferred to the war de-
partment, and resigned from his clerk
ship to become postoffice inspector.
Finally few years ago his daughter
secured the appointment as postmistress
at La Grange, Ca. and he went into the
Office as assistant.
The officers say that Laird has pur-
sued very devious path of late years
that when he left La Grange he took
with him the money order book, and
has availed himself OF it to produce
money when short by forging his
daughters signature; that he has done
this at several places, and that the proof
against him is very strong.
Laird was taken before United States
Commissioner Van Dyke and from there
east in the custody of Capt. A. w. Bar
rett and James Rehling, who will have
charge OF him. Judge Ross granted the
order for his removal during the day.
and it ia expected that he will start east
today.
LAIRD TRIES TO EXPLAIN.
A HERALD reporter saw Laird at the
county Jail soou after his arrest. He is
a typical southron. of fine physique, O
good conversationslist. we'll educated
and apparently gentleman in every re-
spect. He dresses in a costly suit of
dark gray, silk tile. and wears epecta-
cles.
"Yes." he said, 'T have been known
here as Louis A. Jack. Although have
assumed another name | have nothing
to conceal. The facts in the case
are these: year ago last May,
when times were remarkably stringent
and money scarce, found that there
was shortage in the postofiice at La
Grange. My daughter was postmietress,
and as it wac in the family | thought I
would shoulder the blame, and to that
end attempted to raise the money with
which to pay the debt.
81 could not see my daughter suffer
for the discrepancies which | knew ex.
listed and which to a large extent were
due to carelessneae in the office, NV
attempt to raise the shortage failed and
l left the state, thinking that the blame
would be thrown on me, as it after
ward was, and save my family from paw
ing the indebtedness. My efforts to set-
tie the affair after coming to this state
have also proved futile, hence my arrest,
''At present it looks as if Postoffice
Inspector Bayard of the district OF
which | was inspector, is responsirle for
my arrest, on account of political rea-
sons.
"After leaving La Grange went to
Chicago, to Minneapolis, thence to San
Francisco, finally coming here. | have
also resided in San Diego. but for the
last eight months have been connected
with the New York Life Insurance COM
pany's agency in this city. l was Just
writing a $4,000 policv when l was ar.
rested. 1t is likely that will be back here
soon, as / think | can clear myself. II
not, | am willing to suffer-"
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