Omaha daily bee., 1895-09-20
BANK WORKING THEIR GAME
Police Take in Two Men Supposed to Be
Experts in Checks.
THEIR LITTLE TRICK INTERRUPTED
Chief Detective Cox and Detectives
Savage and Dempsey Make what
Appears to lie nm linz
A. porthnt Arrest.

Chief OF Detectives Cox and Detectives
Savage and Dempsey have again smeared
themselves with glory, and have received the
unanimous thanks Of all Of the bankers In
the city. Yesterday evening the officers ar
rested Edward Foster and Harvey L. Barnes,
who the officers claim are a par OF the most
clever bank sneaks in the country. They
were placed under arrest just as they were
about to turn a trick" for $685. so on the
American National bank, of which John L.
McCague is president.
During the travelling mems parade yester-
day the attention OF the officers was attracted
by the suspicious actions of these two men,
and they were Swallowed from the First
National bank to several other like concerns
and finally rounded UP when the police
thought their game, whatever 1t might be,
was ready to be consummated.
Investigation showed that Barnes had called
at the First National bank during the morn
ing and deposited a draft for 81 900. After
this transaction was made, Foster went to the
Nebraska Savings bank and made a deposit.
In the afternoon both men called at the
American National and Barnes made a check
payable to himself for s997.50 and told the
bank officers to call up the First National
for reference, as he had deposited a draft
VAth hSpi NHal nv ms mo N'9 h'N'S
stronger by Foster, who referred them to his
banking house.
The bank was about to pay him the 1897 so
when Barnes said he would step out a min
ute, as he had a customer to see, and would
return In a matter of a few minutes and re-
celve his currency. "He never came back, "
for when he stepped out he was hustled down
to the station by two officers. When they
came back to get Foster he was not visible
and was not picked up until late in the
evening.
When searched at the police station Barnes
had $3.50 in cash on his person and his part
ner had SAG in cash. On the two men were
found letters and bank books showing that
they have recently been in Kansas City, st.
Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Baltimore and
Pittsburg. In the left shoe worn by Barnes
was found a number of cards bearing the
name of "E. X. Eddins, superintendent of
construction, Il. p. Allis Engine company,
Milwaukee" In Barnes valise, found at the
Paxton, was a dark lantern. When Foster was
arrested by Detective Savage in front of the
New York Life building he threw away a
bundle Of checks, but they were picked up by
a boy and handed to the officer.
The crime to be attempted by the two men
is an old one and has been worked extensively
and successfully all over the country. The
plan is to deposit a draft or a good amount
banking house, make out a personal check,
receive payment on same, on recommendation
of the bank where the deposit was made, and
while the money is being paid over have an
accomplish draw out the funds in the sec
ond institution and get away with all the
money before the beaten bank presents the
worthless check in the regular way of bust
ness.
Barnes was identified by the receiving tel
Ter Of the First National bank as the man
who deposited the funds with him. They
will have a preliminary hearing this morn
ing.