Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-18

4
torious forger who swindled banks in
San Francisco, Gala, early in January
last, out of $4,000 on a raised draft, has
been identified by the authorities Of this
city as a we'll known confidence man
named Frank L. Seaver, but who is
better known in this city by the name
of Frederick Stebbins.
Seaver was caught on February 20
last in st. Paul, Mimi. where he gave
the name of D. w. Woods. He was
unknown there but his arrest was ac-
complished by the Pinkerton agency of
that city with the assistance of Captain
Connor of the police. His picture was
forwarded to this city.
Late in 1895, Seaver, alias Stebbins,
arrived in San Francisco and represent
ed himself to be a merchandise broker.
He opened a small account with the
Nevada Bank under the name A. II.
Dean. He drew money from the bank
on several occasions, but invariably re-
placed it,
Late in 1895 he went to Woodland.
Gala, ostensibly on business trip. and
during his stay purchased a draft for
Sl2 on the Croker WoolwOrth Bank.
of that city. The draft was dated De-
cember Is, 1895, and on the 18th Of De-
cember it was deposited in the Nevada
Bank but when it reached that institu-
ton it had been raised to $4,000.
A SWINDLING WORK OF ART.
The check had originally been per-
forated with machine which has hith-
erto been supposed to be a Safeguard
against the efforts OF the most skilled
crook. Dean had. nevertheless. filled
up the holes so neatly that il took a
strong magnifying glass to distinguish
the change. He then erased on the
draft the letters I've" from the word
twelve and wrote in a hand that
could hardly be distinguished from the
original, the remaining letters and
words necessary to raise the draft to
the figure named. In the lower corner
OF the draft were the figures "12.OO'
over delicate scroll, but this was neat
ly disposed Of by adding another cipher
and doctoring the Il" into i neat "2 "
The draft was then perforated for S22-
900, and the job was complete
The check thus raised came to San
Francisco and was deposited in the
Nevada bank on the-17th of December.
The day following it was taken TO the
Clearing House in that city and cashed
by the Crocker-Woolworth Bank. Dean
Immediately drew $4,000 of the 500 900
leaving $4,000, as he said, to be placed
TO his credit. He took the 100000 in
twenties in four bags Of $4,000 each.
and although that amount OF money
weighed considerable, Dean was not
hampered in his departure.
It was some three months before a
demand was made on the Woodland
Bank by the Crocker-W oolworth Bank
for payment and then the latter insti-
tuition was informed that no such draft
had been isseud by it. This fact led TO
careful scrutiny Of the draft by ex-
perts and the fraud was discovered. Bv
the time the forgery was discovered
Holmes, alias Dean, was well out of
the way, and it was presumed that he
was on his way to Japan. The two
California banks are now trying to
settle which one has been swindled and
who shall make good the loss.
Stebbins was arrested in this city on
February I, 1895, by Inspectors Watts.
Gerraughty and Houghton. He admit
ted that it was his intention TO beat
people engaged in mercantile lines of
business, but as there was nothing
criminal against him in this city he was
allowed to go on the condition that he
would leave the Hub" Stebbins ac-
Quiesced and was put on board a train
bound for New York City.
He first came to Boston about jan
uary Is, 1895. and hired an Office at No.
SO State street, where he hung out his
shingle. which read: "Frederick Steb-
bins, Merchandise Broker and Export
err" His card stated that his cable adj
dress was "Stebnett"
One day Inspectors Watts, Houghton
and Gerraughtv noticed man who was
we'll known to the police not only of
this city. but of the entire country. en-
ter Stebbins's Office on State street.
They became suspicious of the place,
and an investigation among the bank
ing people was begun. which resulted
in showing that Stebbins had money
in two banks, 81, 500 in one and 81 300
in the other. The banking people were
warned to watch HIN. and January 81
il became noised around that he had
drawn $1,000 from each OF the two
banks and gone to Providence, where.
he deposited $4,000 in a bank in hat
city. getting certified checks for the
amountFon another Boston bank He
cane back to Boston. and on the follow
ing Saturday he was caught by the
Boston inspectors and taken to Head
quarters. Before he left the city he
drew from the banks s1,10O that be-
longed to him.
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