Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-03-24
THESE MEN WERE ARTISTS
AT FORGERY AND THEY SECURED
Ar LEAST $4,000 IN ST. LOUIS
ny Their clever work, VietimiHinE
Numerous Bnnks-How They
Learned the Numbers OF
Several Cheeks.


i1N tAfHutAhANh iAfaos
St Louis. No. March IA series
Of forgeries OF the most remarkable
kind has been unearthed in this city
and detectives are now at work upon
Il. At least eight banks have suffered
and probably more. The aggregate OF
the forged paper Will reach $4,000. all
OF which sum has gone into the pock-
cts Of gang Of professionals who
have succeeded by the use Of a system
never before equalled, the principal
feature OF which was the securing Of
genuine check blanks and full knowl-
edge of the serial numbers. by which
knowledge they were able not only TO
minimize the danger in uttering, but
also delay detection.
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
Of forgers is supposed to be not ex-
ceeding three. but their knowledge OF
banking and business methods and the
versatility OF their autographs artist
are admittedly ample. Their prepare
tons were elaborate and consumed
some time, but when ready their haul
was made with astonishing celebrity.
As only a few Of their checks have
been pissed upon by the alleged draw
ers, 1t is impossible to say how much
the forgers took, but win not be less
than $50 600
The forgars first took account Of the
fact that checks drawn by business
houses are written usually upon the
firms own Autographed heading. pro-
tected by serial numbers Of check and
stub. The forgers. therefore, not only
counterfeltel the blank check forms
Of their victims. but numbered their
checks close 10 the numbers Of the
checks then running with each victim
lied Arm. To do this latter. opportun-
ity TO see the genuine check books
was accomplished In various ways. In
one case, that OF the Charles W.
Melcher Machine company whose sig
nature was forged to cheek for $500
young mau stating that he repre-
scented the printing house which litho-
grnphed the FIRMS checks, asked per-
mission TO see their check book, as
he was sent out to trace up books al
legged to have been badly Autographed.
The ruse succeeded and was probably
used In other cases. IN this Instance
the Continental bank lost $500 As
there We're eight or more banks vic
tiinlzed and no ono yet knows how
many firms, there is no way to tell
the total loss. Moreover the police ure
uncOmmuniCutive.
As nearly as can be learned. all the
torgertes were uttered last Friday and
saturday The only banks which ac-
knoWlodcge suffering are those named
hut practical assent was given to In
qulrIes made at five other banks, and
tmi2ed.
Ot the alleged drawers of the forged
ehecks' the signatures OF T.. T. Little
~ Co. Feather dealers, and Julius Lab
sap, Wholesale clothlers, are known TO
have been forged, In addition to that
OF the g. w. Melcher Machine COM
As an instance Of the work OF the
gang, IN less than an hour after the
chll of the alleged printing house rcpre-
| sentative upon MI. Melcher, "a $500
check bearing Mr. Melohers signature.
ana being an exact duplicate In It's en-
craving ana printing OF the genuine
vheeks OF the llrm, was presented at
lhe Continental bank and paid. II
liNu hll been previously prepared eNcept
IN" serial number. which was supplied
az the last moment for the reason
stated II happened 70 be four num-
eels OUT OF the way by the time the
rultely reached the bank, but this
wls close enough FOR the swlndlers
IN the case OF julius Labsap. an
other OF the victims OF the gang, not
only was Mr.. Labsaps signature
forged, but the man who did this was
evidently thoroughly conyersant with
the clothlers affairs. The latter as n
rule In drawing checks puts In par
enthesis the purpose for which tho
money Is paid out Immediately follow
ing the amount In the forged check
this popularity was observed mud
served to dlsarm suspicion at the bank
Woodward * Herman printed the
checks for the Melcher Machine com.
pnny ana f, IL. Little & Co, and are
very much Interested in having the
guilty parties run down, and have Of
fcred n reward 10 the police for the
capture OF the forgcrs
The corps OF detectives and police
who have been set to work on these
cases acknowledge that they arc com
pletely nt sen as yet as to the men
working the banks and obtaining the
Information necessary TO make these
successful forgeries, and IN their de-
sire 10 mike their work more sure de-
| cline to give any additional names OF
| banks or vlctlmised check drawers.
| The admissions OF tho police, how
| over, are sufficient Ia confirm the omen.
ing statement OF this item, that fully
eight banks have boon VictlmIzed 10
the amount OF $4,000 Another theory
| advanced II that the forgcries We're
| the work Of the mon who recently got
into the Texas banks by means OF
raised drafts.
MRS. nnECKINRInGE