The herald., 1896-12-22
A BOLD SCHEME FO|[ED
The First National Bank
Victimized
ACCEPTED F0RGEDDRAFT FOR $1,000
Allen L. Afford in Jail for the
OffenSe
SON OF WELL.KNOWN TEXAN
His Pockets Full Of Drafts Ready for
Presentation
He Unsuccessfu.ly Attempts to Destroy In
eliminating Evidence
Had Drawn $500 From the Bank and
Made Preparations to Leave Town.
Secured a Business Man to
SON OF WELL.KNOWN TEXAN
His Pockets Full Of Drafts Ready for
Presentation
He Unsuccessfuly Attempts to Destroy In
eliminating Evidence
Had Drawn $500 From the Bank and
Made Preparations to Leave Town.
Secured a Business Man to
Vouch for Him

One of the boldest forgery schemes
that has come to light in this city in
many a day was nipped in the bud yes
terday, and the criminal is now in Jail,
with little or nothing to compensate him
for his daring, although it was by the
merest accident that he was discovered
and his scheme frustrated. The alleged
forger is a young man of prominence,
claiming to be no less parsonage than
the son of Gen. George F. Afford, the
well-known Texan. The bank which
accepted the bogus paper is the First
National, and at present they are short
Just $500 by his operations, although
greater part of the money has been re-
covered and will in due time be returned
to their Golfers.
Allen G. Afford is the prisoners name,
and from the evidence secured by the
detectives it would seem that he had
laid his plans for wholesale forgery.
He arrived in the city on Sunday after
noon on the 1:S0 train from San Fran
cisco, and proceeded direct to the Ma
deau hotel where he registered as from
Chicago. He represented himself as
travelling for Chicago firm, and spent
money freely over the bar seeming to
be a high-fyer. Yesterday morning he
entered the office of Clark & Bryan, the
real estate dealers. and introduced him
self as the son of Gen. Afford, pro-
ducing credentials which removed all
doubt as to his identity. Mr.. Clark is
personally acquainted with the general
come.
In the course of conversation Afford
remarked that he had draft which he
desired to deposit in one of the city
banks for collection, as he lntenoed
stopping here some days and might wish
to secure a little money Oh 1t until the
return on the paper was received. Ac-
cordingly he was escorted by Mr.. Clark
to the First national and introduced.
Afford produced draft for $1,000, New
York exchange, drawn to his order and
purporting to have been signed by the
cashier of Philadelphia bank. on its
face the instrument appeared all right,
and it was received in deposit, Afford
being issued a book and Immediately
drawing 800 to use for current ex-
penses.
On his return to the hotel he ap-
preached the clerk, and, stating that he
had received telegram from MS
brother in Spokane, Wash, saying he
was very sick, presented two checks FOR
$3.50. each drawn on the bank. showing
his deposit book of 5000 as evidence that
all was right, and asked that individual
to send down and draw the money for
him to hold it subject to call. His pur-
pose was to have the money where he
could get it on demand as he thought it
possible that another telegram might
arrive. requiring his presence at the
to leave on the night train after banking
hours and would then receive the cash.
The checks were accordingly sent to
the bank and the cash received and
placed in the hotel safe subject to AL
ford's order. The young man was not
allowed time in which to carry out his
plans, however. and will probably not
see his sick brother for some time. The
precipitancy with which Afford had
drawn $500 of his $1,000 from the bank eX-
cited the suspicious of the officials and
telegram was sent on inquiring about
the draft In due time the reply was re-
ceived that the paper was a forgery.
| Then all was excitement in the bank
President Elliott rushed over to police
headquarters and notified Chief Glass,
I who detailed two of the officers to appre-
hend the forger. Inside of an hour he
was safe in jail Mr.. Clark was secured
to accompany the detectives and entered
the hotel with them. Afford was in TIE
rear of the lobby and must have smelled
a mouse for he quickly drew from his
pocket an envelope which with its con-
tents he tore into pieces and threw in a
cuspidor. He made no resistance to ar
rest and took the matter very coolly.
He was escorted to headquarters and
searched.
Upon his person were found two more
drafts. one for $500. another for small
er amount. both presumably forgeries.
i Then he was placed in a cell and another
trip to the hotel made. In his valise in
room 216 was found lot of blank drafts
some with the amounts filled in and per-
! forated by machine as is customary,
others with only signature. From the
spittoon where he had cast them the
fragments of the envelope were fishe d
up and partially restored to shape. This
being done several more instruments of
the same character were found. The
greatest secrecy was maintained in re-
gard to the capture, but it leaked out
/ Afford is rs years old and has lived in
Dallas, Tex, until a few years ago. He
has always been a wild boy and has been
in several scrapes. Only a year and a
half ago he forged a check in st. Louis
and was captured, but his father came to
the rescue. paid the bill and finally Sc
cured his sons release. The young man
has friends in this city, to one of whom
in the course of conversation he remark
ed that he had $4,000 saved up. This was
presumably said to account for his law
ish display of money.
The arrest was made a little before
! o'clock in the afternoon, and the strictest
secrecy enjoined upon ever one who
knew of the affair. Afford now occupies
one of the small steel cages on the upper
floor of the jail. where no one is allowed
to see or communicate with him. He has
made no sta atement since his capture and
maintains a bold front although it is
hard to see howA in face of the over
| whelming evidence against him. he can
hope to successfully deny his quilt.