The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-16
A CLEVER CAPTURE.
Forger anderson Again in the Tolls
Evidence Strong Against Him.

A. NJ. Anderson. commonly known as
Diver Anderson, was arrested by Con-
stable Oberg yesterday morning and plac-
ed in a cell in the county jail He is
charged with a serious offense and one
which the officer claims will land him
In the penitentiary. 1t is the crims of
forgery. Last Saturday morning Ander-
son went into the Portland saloon and
after buying several rounds OF drinks
for himself and a few associates handed
the bartender, John Copella, a check for
$5S, Oh the Astoria National Bank, and
Signed by T. X. johnson. The bartender
handed him $S4, on the check, which to-
gether with 50 for drinks and fifty cents
which was advanced later made a total
of $3.50. Yesterday morning one of the
propHetors Of the Portland went to the
bank on which the check was drawn,
and inquired whether 1t was good or not.
He was informed that Mr.. Johnsn had
no money on deposit in the bank. An
examination of the check was made and
1t was discovered that the date was July
18th and that the number was 1921 The
bank officials were familiar with the sig
nature Of T. X. Johnson and the sigma
ture on the forged check being SO SIM
Llar they were inclined to at first think
that perhaps O mistake had been made.
Constable Oberg, who was In the bank
at the time, took another view, claiming
that in his opinion Mr.. johnson had never
TN all his life issued the number OF checks
stated in the forged paper, and he
thought 1t curious also that O check
drawn up on the 18th or before should
be dated the 18th. In this the bank Off
GERS agreed and am information was
sworn out against Anderson. Constable
Oberg found his man in the Tongue
Point saloon, in Upper Astoria. When the
officer entered the room, Anderson ran
into a back room: the constable followed
and caught him just as ne threw a small
bundle of papers out of a window. The
officer asked the proprietor Of the place
to- go outside and pick up the papers
that had been thrown out of the window,
which was done. and the package found
to contain large number of Astoria
National Bank checks. Several blank GER
tificates OF deposit and blank promlsso-
ry notes ware also in the package. An
derson resisted arrest and 1t became ne
cessary for the officer to use his club.
He finally submitted and walked quietly
to the prison.
In the justice court yesterday afternoon
Anderson's preliminary examination took
place. During the progress OF the trial
the prisoner laughed and joked as If 1t
was funny thing to be accused OF such
a serious offense and expressed a desire
to look at the forged check, which Dep
uty District Attorney Curtis smilingly
told him would be shown him some other
time. Mr.. T. X. Johnson testified that
the signature of his name on the check
was forgery and Judge Abercronbie
bound Anderson over to await the action
of the grand jury under $500 bonds.
This is the second time that Anderson
has been arrested for forgery and he has
for many years been regarded by the po-4
lice as a hard character. HIS first arrest
for forgery was in Portland last winter
and on account of the insuffic.ency Of the
evidence he escaped with few months
In the county Jail. officer Oberg Is en-
titled to much credit for the slnillful
and speedy manner In which he ran
down and captured the swindler.