The herald., 1896-02-29
G. W. CoIlom Apprehended While
Negotiating Bogus Paper
WAS PLAYED AT THE BANK
Until Two Police Officers Appeared on
the Scene
Reputation OF the CuIprit by No Means Savory
Said to Have Deserted a Wife
and Babs

G. W. Collom was arraigned before JUS
tice Owens yesterday afternoon on a
charge of forgery, pleaded not guilty, and
had his examination set for March 3, at 3
p. m, Last Wednesday afternoon a we'll
dressed man presented a check for $35,
payable to one John X. White, and signed
by John r. Goode. at the counter of the
National Bank of California, in the Bur-
dick block, and demanded payment.
Something in the mans manner attracted
the attention of the cashier and the check
was closely scrutinized. Three things
combined to arouse the teller's suspicious.
The check was made out on an old form,
which had not been in use for several years
and which was seldom presented, and in
the lower left-hand corner was written,
'For final payment on BICYCLE"
The signature was cleverly executed, but
differed enough from the genuine to con-
vince the bank officers that all was not
right.
The item of the checks purporting to be
for final payment on a bicycle was also
suspicious, as there had never before been
check made out by MIR. Goode for any in
stallment on wheel. Telling the party
that he would telephone Mr.. Goode, the
cashier did so. 1t was evident that the
response from the Abstract and Title In
surance Company, where Goode is en-
ployed, was to the effect that he worked at
night and was at the time at his home out
at the University and could not be reached.
Wishing to detain his man, and at the
same time not arouse his suspicious, the
cashier informed the sharper that he
thought the check overdrew Goodies &C.
count and the books would have to be ex-
amined, as it was an unusual occurrence
for the latter to give check in excess of his
deposits. During oil this time the cashier
had been energetically pushing the alarm
button leading to the police station and
arrival of an officer. No one appearing,
he requested the bookkeeper to get be-
tween the man and the door and he rushed
to the telephone and sent word to police
headquarters.
Their action had by this time put the
forger on his guard and he started for the
door, where he was intercepted. When
stopped he attempted to bluff his way out,
but was seized and detained. Detectives
Hawley and Auble soon arrived and took
the man into custody. The reason for
their not appearing before was that the
special alarm was out of order and had
failed to ring the bell.
On being searched at the station, the
prisoner was recognized as one G. W. Col
lom, who secured considerable newspaper
notoriety in San Francisco by deserving his
wife and little child and coming to Los An
geles with frail partner. In this city he
and his paramour occupied rooms in the
Richmond hotel on Commercial street.
His wife followed the pair here, and
created sensation by discovering her re-
croent spouse with his charmer and accus-
ing him of all manner of inhuman treat
ment to herself and child. She was finally
persuaded TO drop the matter and return
north. Not long since the woman partner
Of Cullom was arrested for inveigling a
man into her room and relieving him of
all his valuables, but the case was dis
Since that time the earnings of the
woman have not been sufficient to satisfy
their wants, and Collom resorted to the
means of a forged chech to raise the wind.
The detectives claim to have perfectly
clear case against Collom, who stands
good chance for an extended term in the
states prison.