New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-16
A NOTED RASCAL IDENTIFIED.
BANK swINDLEE RECOGNIZED BY BOs-
TON POLICE.
PRISONER ~ ST. PAUL WHO HAS LONG BEEN
WANTED ~ SAN FRANCISCO FoR PASS
ING A RAISED CHECK.


ING A RAISED CHECK
Boston March I5-The notorious forger who
swndlod banks IN San Francisco early In January
last OF $4,000 a raised check has been dentihed
by the authorities Of the city well-known con-
lderce man namel Frank l.. seavcr. but who IS
better known IN this city by the name OF Frederick
Siebblns.
Seaver caught on February % last In st
Paul MINI. where he gave the name or d. W.
Woods lie was unknown here but his arrest was
accomplished ~ the Pinkerton agency OF that city.
His picture was forwarded TO this city. and to-day
Superintendent John Cornish. Of the Pnkerton
agency this city. and Chief ln'pector william IS.
Watts and Inspector Andrew Houghion. OF the
bank squad had a consultation. at the end OF whch
they came I, the conclusion that the forger was
none other ttal the man who was arrested on
State-st, february /. 1896. by Inspectors Watts.
Houghton and Gerraughy.
Early in January, Seav'r. alas Stebbins cut n
wild. swath In San Francisco. where he was known
by the names OF 4. IT, Holmes and a. II. Dean.
1t that late In 1885 he arrived In San Fran
cisco and represented himself to be merchandise
broker lie opened small account with the Ne
vada Bank under the name Of \. III. Dean lie
drew none from the bank on several occasions.
but invariab, replaced It. Late in 1898 he went to
Woodland Cal. ostensbly on business trip. ana
while in that city purchased craft for S2 on the
Crocker- " Wooiwortn Bank OF that city. The draft
was dated December 10. 1895. and December II 1t
was deposited In the Nevada Bank. but when 1t
reached that bank 1t had been raised In the inter-
venlng days to s22.0n The check had original
ly been perforated with machine. which was mere
tofore supposed TO be safeguard against the
efforts OF the most skilful crooks Dean neverths-
less filled up the holes so neatly that 1t took
strong magnifying glass to distinguish the change.
The raised check came TO San Francisco and
the day following Its deposit in the Nevada
Bank December IS. II taken TO the clearing
house In that ci,y and cashed by the Crocker-
Wooworth Bank. Dean Immediately drew $2o"o
Of the 81 OOo leaving s. 900. he said to be placed
to his credit He took the $1,000 in twentcs In four
bags OF 5000 each. and although that amount Oh
money weighed considerable. Dean was not nam
pered IN his departure. 1t was some three months
before a demand made or the Woodland Bank
by the Crocker- W Woolworth Bark for payment. ana
then the latte. institution was informed that no
such draft had been issued by It,
BY the time the forgery discovered Holmes.
alias Dean. well out OF the way. and IL was
presumed that he WAS on his way 10 Japan Inc
two California banks are now trying to settle
which has been swndled ana who Is Responsible
for the loss. The case was reported TO the SAT- san
the country. and before stated the police oi
ST. Paul across Seavcr. alias Stebblis' III lha'
city on Febrnary 90 and took him into custody, ~
The San rrancSco p9Ss s qen'nsa rea epy ty WAS WAS s
mystery. and remained az such until today "hen h,
the boston authorities became positive IN 'hr'r
Stebblns was arrested In this city on February j.
1895 by Inspectors Watts. Gerraughty and iiousn,,
ton lie admitted that It was his intention to beat
people engaged In the mercantile line or business
but as there was nothing criminal against nm ~
this city he allowed to go on the condition th'
he would leave the Hub" Siebbns acqursce,i
and put or boGrd train bound FOR New-fo'"
City. - ,sos
He first came t. Boston about January Io 1879.
and hired an office at No. 50 State-st.. where ne
hung out his sign which read thus: 'Frcheri,c,K
Stebblns merchandise broker and exporter. His
card stated that his cable address was "Stco-
nett" His intention was 10 place money IN tne
banks. establish credit. order goods on time from ,n
different concerns and sell them, and then IN the
the course OF time fall, and hnally leave the cily.
One day Inspectors Watts. Holghton and Ger r
the police not only OF this city. but OF the entire
country enter Stebbins's Office State-st. They
became suspicious Of the place, and an invssti-
ration among the banking people was begun. which
resulted in learning that stebbins had money IN
The banking people were armed to watch him ana i
on January 81 1t became nolsed around that he had
drawn Nooo from each Of the two banks ana go gone
Of that city getting certified checks for the amount
on another Boston bank He came back to Boston.
and on the following Saturday he was caught by
the Boston inspectors and taken TO headquarters.
Before he lef, the city he drew from the banks
Nl00 that belonged To him.