Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-14
RETURN OF FRANK ALDRICH
He Denies That He is Guilty of For
gerry.
An Interview With Him - Commi Il ed
to Jail I'm Default of Dail
to Await Trial.

Frank Aldrich. late District, sealer of
weights and measures, and who is charged
in two indictments with forging the name
Of Judge c. c. Cole to numerous promis-
sorry notes. arrived here from Detroit, Mich,
at o'clock this morning. He came on in
charge Of a deputy United States marshal,
and was at once taken to the city hall,
where he was formally delivered over to
the custody Of Marshal Wilson. .,
Aldrich was seen by a Star reporter and
found to be looking very well indeed. He
seemed to have grown somewhat stouter
during his absence and also seemed to have
aged not little. He was in quite a cheer.
ful frame Of mind, and remarked that he
was really glad to get back to Washington
again. Speaking of the indictments pend
ing against him, he emphatically protested
that ne was innocent of the charges con-
talned therein. and stated that he was sure
that Judge Cole would never swear that
the notes were forgeries.
Denies Having Forged.
Why" explained the prisoner, there
was no reason why should have forged
Judge Coles name. He and were great
friends. and the judge never refused to
indorse note of mine. The notes were
not forged and I don't believe that when
It comes to a trial that Judge Cole will say
that they WERE"
Referring TO his leaving Washington,
Aldrich explained that he left the city
the first week of June a year ago for Chi
cago. Il went there" he said, Ito pro-
mote the business of the Hanson Light and
Power Company, with which 1 was con-
nected. l went on to see capitalist in
Chicago. but when got there found that
he was In financial difficulties and could
not go into the matter. / then learned
that the notes here had been protested
Why, even made an assignment of every
thing possessed to make good the losses.
I sent the assignment to w. l.. Cole,
Judge Coles brother, but I had. lunfortu-
rately, omitted to use the words for value
received in the assignment, and 1t was.
consequently, Of no effect. But they at
tached everything had here, so made
good some of the losses in that way"
Aldrich said that he was very sorry that
his friends had lost money through him.
But" he said. every dollar 1 ever raised
by the notes. as well as all of my salary as
sealer of weights and measures, 1 applied to
the advancement Of the companys interest.
If 1t hadn't been for the hard times 1t would
have been a success, and there would have
been no trouble. l wish you would say that
never attempted to avoid arrest. was in
constant communication with friends here.
and they wrote me frequently, addressing
their letters to me in my own name and
making no attempt at concealment.'
Had 1t not been for my wife's health. 1
WCulu nave come on mere long dSO 10 an
swer the indictments. But she WAS in lad
health. and begged me not to go back, say
ing that she could not stand the excitement
and worry. That was my sole reason for
remaining away from Washington. but as
1 have said, 1 never attempted to escape
arrest When the officers came after me at
Detroit 1 frankly acknowledged who I was,
and told them that would not put them to
the trouble of sending for any papers. We
left Detroit yesterday morning, and have
been splendidly treated ever since my ar
rest"
Anxious for Trial.
II have no fears as to the result Of
trial, and am very anxious for an early one.
I am told that I will be given a trial early
next month. have no money to spend in
securing bail. and will be content to stay
in jail until my trial next month.
Il am not without friends. however. For
the past three months have been weigh
master on the Detroit and Milwaukee rail-
road at Detroit and was soon to be pro-
NOTED. The railroad people assured me be-
fore leaving Detroit that they would see me
through my trouble. and said to come back
to them when 1t was over
Aldrich was taken before Judge Cox, in
Criminal Court No. 2, at IL o'clock and COM
mitted to Jail in default of 5000 bail. AID
rich stated that he was without counsel,
but would secure legal assistance in day
or two. ..-.-