Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-19
FRANK TRusDELL,s ARREST.
A Former Washington Correspondent
Again in the Tolls.

A Former Washington Correspondent
Again in the Tolls.
SAN FRANCISCO, February 19.-The
Examiner says concerning the arrest of
Frank H. Trusdell in Emporia, Kan, for
attempting to swindle banks by means of
forged checks:
THAT Trusden would have been caught
In such a crime will not surprise those who
knew him best. He had weakness for
uttering fraudulent and worthless paper
and had several narrow escapes from being
sent to Jail while here. Some Of his trans
actions that came to light, and most of
them were never heard of, show that he
was skillful and audacious combining
splendid nerve with plausible address and
pleasing appearance. Though In receipt
of fair income most of the time he SEEM
ed to be in a chronic state of bankruptcy
and hardupness. He was then on the staff
of the Chronicle, and the ever-accommo-
dating Richard H. Mcdonald, jr., then
in the flower of his management of the
Pacific Bank, advanced him $3.50 on his
personal note. He arrived here nearly four
where he had been connected with the
Sunday Telegram.
He brought letters from Mr.. Sloat Fas-
sett which served as passport in certain
quarters here. When ex-senator Fassett
came out the following season he took
Trusdell under his wing and spoke of him
In the highest terms. This strengthened
his position.
THE first crooked transaction brought
against him here came from San Jose.
where he had issued valueless check and
received $50 on it. He was threatened with
prosecution for this offense, but succeeded
in supplying the money. saving himself,
thanks to his friends, who believed that
the whole thing was a mere error and that
no crime was intended.
He forged the name of William H. Mills,
land agent of the Southern Pacific COM
pany, to promissory note for 500, having
met Mills on an editorial excursion.
''Trusdelrs pathetic story of his needs and
his repentance secured him immunity from
prosecution. He also passed a worthless
check for $3.50 on a wholesale liquor house"
years ago, Washington correspondent of
the Baltimore American. He left this city
under a cloud.
He comes of New Jersey family, and
was born in GAINESVILLE Wis.,. where his
father lived for few years. Frank Trus-
dell has not lived in Wisconsin since he
was an infant, but he has several times
imposed on Wisconsin people, who thought
he was a son of John M. Trusdell, dis
tingUished lawyer and politician OF that
state. TruSdell first made himself known
while reporter on the New YOrk Tribune
by stealing from Thorndike Rice the proof
sheets of an article which Gen. Grant had
written for the North American Review.
This article he sold before it's appearance
in the Review. In 1856 Trusdell forged
Senator Van Wyck's name on paper which
realized him $500, and swindled several
men in Washington who had befriended
him. To escape punishment he went to
Europe, deserving his family. Three years
later he returned and was arrested for
stealing a horse in Elmra, N. Y. He had
then secured a lucrative position and prom
is ed to reform. Since his release from Jail
after that affair his whereabouts were I'M
known until the above dispatch came to
tell of another criminal episode in his
career. He was bright, affable, capable
newspaper man. and his ruin is due to
gambling and women. He was at one
time fairly we'll off, owned a good house in
the fashionable part of street and had a
good income.