The times., 1897-05-12

to Lewis D. Williams, who is locked up
i'll No l station. Lewis, who is an indian
and a member of the pierced Nose" Tribe
of Idaho, was arrested yesterday by 20
liceman FIather cf the First precinct upon
the serious charge of forgery
The redskin was intoxicated when taken
into custody, and while he had succeeded
in getting but one forged check cashed, ne
had nevertheless gone into the business o a
wholesale plan. When searched at the
station checks and drafts aggregaang over
81, 1O0, all of which are believed TO be
bogus, were found in his pocket
williams came here a bout two weeks ago
from Philadelphia, where he resides ana
has a wife living who is said 10 possess
considerable ealth. He has been stopping
at the ST James and Fendome Hotels, ahd
has been drunk the greater portion or the
time. A few days ago he ian out Of money
and planned to obtain funds by endeaV-
ing TO have checks UPON his friends cashed
by down town merchants.
Monday he went into the drug store OF
Dr. J. E. Hendrickson, at Seventh and
F. streets northwest, and presented TO the
pharmacist note, purporting TO have been
signed by j. " Lewis, asking the doctor
to kindly cash an accompanying check
for $50, made payable to Lewis ID. Will
liams. DR. Hendrickson did not have the
currency 10 his cash drawer, but thinking
that he would accommodate his friend,
Lewis, who is clerk in one of the de-
partments, he volunteered TO accompany
the Indian 20 Saks Co.'S, establish
nlent, where the money was obtained The
check was drawn on the Riggs Bank. and
was turned in at the Traders, and yester-
day morning came back marked IN. G. !"
Monday night Williams was arrested and
locked up in No. station-house for re-
fusing to pay hack hire. He had been
riding in a cab with q negro who had
stolen dollar from him. and both We're
kept at the station all night In his
pockets at that time were found a check
drawn OH Riggs Bank for $500. i'll favor
| OF himself, and 81 igned by John c. Groom.
the former proprietor of the Mount Vernon
drug store, at the corner OF Ninth and New
York avenue, but now of Carlisle, Pa,
ore for S5l2, In favor of himself, signedey
NJ ID. Powers, also drawn on Riggs; one
| for Sl2, signed by w. J. McGee, a pro-
| fessor in the Geological Survey, and an
other also drawn OH Riggs, for $50, in
| favor OF John Z. Holcomb, and indorsed
| by the latter.
The character OF the checks looked sus-
| picious. and the police OF that precinct
| communicated with the detective office,
| aud Detective Boyd was sent to investigate
| the case The matter OF the Lewis check
| had not been reported to the police, but
| Detective BOYD advised that the Indian
| be held on suspicion. Yesterday morning,
| however, he was released, and at once
| started out in an endeavor 10 get the
| SOS check, signed by Mr.. MCGEE, cashed.
| lie tried a number of stores on the Avenue,
| but without success.
In the meantime the police had been
| advised Of the worthlessness of the Lewis
| check, and were on the lookout for the
man. Policeman Eiather found Williams
| Just as he was attempting Co get money
| on the forged paper and placed hfni under
| arrest. In his pockets were found the
/ same checks which he had the night be
| fore at No . station. None whose ma lies
1 are signed to the checks have accounts at
| Riggs Bank. with the exception OF Mr..
| Niece, and both Mr. Groom and Mt.
| Powers q re not at present in this city.
W1lieEls is about siXty-twe years Of
| age and very stylishy dressed and speaks
| excellent English For about three months
| last summer be was connected with the
| Bureau OF Ethnoiogy in making trensla-
| tons into the Indian language. de is a
| graduate of the Carlisle Indian School, and
| has also been student in the law depart
| meut OF the University OF Pennsylvania
| About three months ago be married a
| wealthy Indian maiden, who is now in
| Philadelphia, but since that event he has
| been upon protracted spree the greater
| portion OF the time. His family have been
| chiefs in the Pierced Nose" tribe, and
| are reputed to be possessed of large landed
4 estates.
| Williams is unable to give a very clear
| statement OF how he procured the checks,
1 and says that if he has done anything
| wrong it was because he had been drink
| ing The Lewis checks, he says, were
| sent to him by that gentleman through a
messenger, upon his request for loan OF
\ that amount.
| He will be given hearing in police
1 court this morning.