Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-11-05
A CLEVER ROGUE.
An Experience of l.. HlrsChko oWitz
That Will be of Great Value to
Travelling and Other
Business Men.

Business Men.
On August Bird Mr. Hirschkowitz left
Saginaw TO look for business location
in the southern states. After visiting
other places he went TO Birmingham,
Ala, and registered at the Florence
Hotel as l.. Hirschkowitz on Aug. 8.
The next morning he went to the Com
mercial Club and called up John Willox,
purchasing agent of the Southern r. K.
Co, who had told Mr.. Hirschkowit2
once in Saginaw that the south was
booming, and requested him to call at
the hotel at II 80 "A. III. When Mr..
Hirschkowitz returned TO his hotel about
that time, the bookkeeper informed him
that man had been there to see him.
Presently the fellow came back and
finding Mr. Hirschkowitz, introduced
himself as Mr. MILESTONE of Detroit
and said he was very glad to see some
one from his part of the country. AS
Mr. Willox had arrived, Mr. Hirschko.
witz then conversed with him, speaking
freely of his dislike to Birmingham and
his intention of going TO Huntsville
Ala, city highly recommended to him
by several travelling men, and learn the
actual conditions there before determin.
ing where to locate. MILESTONE stood
by and listened TO the conversation and
so learned Mr.. HirschkOwitZ plans
When Mr.. Willox had left, Mr.. Hirsch.
kowitz asked the fellow what he wanted
He said he was "broke" and wanted
some help. But Mr.. Hirschkowitz's S was
too far from home himself to spare him
much, so gave him little tip and went
TO dinner. That afternoon Mr. Hirsch
kowitz went to the Morris House, where
most of the travelling men were stopping
to talk with them. Milestone was
there and every time anyone registered
he would go and look at the name
When Mr.. Hirschkowitz called at the
Morris House again the next morning,
milestone introduced to him Mr.
Eppstein formerly of Detroit, but who
had been in business there for fifteer
years. This gentleman said MILESTONE
had introduced himself 20 him and sale
he wanted TO go TO Atlanta, Georgia
but had no money, so he had taken up {
collection among the Jews for him anC
had got enough for the purpose. While
walking TO the train that left for Hunts
vile about noon that day, Mr.. II. met
the man again, but on being questioned
MILESTONE said he had decided TO remair
in Birmingham as he had the promise
of work in week or so. AS soon al
Mr. H. had gone, the rogue wired &
Mrs. L. Hirschkowitz, Saginaw, the
following message: "Wire Immediately
$50 to Arrigon Hotel, Atlanta. Coco
prospects" LESSER.
He had probably obtained the full
given name from some commercial
report. Mrs. Hirschkowitz, not suspect
ing anything wrong, drew the amoun
from her own money and had hel
daughter, Ernestina send it through the
Western Union Telegraph Company
OF course Miss Ernestina had to sigr
her full name. MILESTONE went L
Atlanta the next day and registered a
the Arrigon as Lesser Hirschkowitz
Having obtained the confidence o.
David Strauss, who kept the cigar stanC
at the hotel, he asked him to identify
him at the Western Union Office
Strauss complied and the manager gave
the false Hirschkowitz check on the
bank, where he was again identified by
Strauss. When the money was handed
over, probably to allay any suspicion'
that the cashier might have, the FORGE
said he might as well draw on his wife
for $500 more. Evidently thinking th'
signature of Ernestina Hirschkowiti
was that of Mrs. H., he drew a sigh
draft On Mrs. K. Hirschkowitz and lef
it there for collection. The draft wa
presented for collection by the Second
National Bank at the Hirschkowit;
store in Saginaw on Saturday, Aug 10
The ladies knew at once that a forgery
had been committed. So they informed
the bank, the manager Of the Westerr
Union and the Chief of Police, whC
wired to the cities mentioned and othe
southern cities regarding the swindl
and ordered this fellow going around 10y
the name of l. Hirschkowitz to be lockeC
mp. The first excitement being over, tn,
family bethought themselves that thei
husband and father would be as lilxel,