The San Francisco call., 1897-12-16
Chief Of Police Lees Notified of
His Arrest Yesterday
Afternoon.
SWTNDLED THE PACIFIC BANK
Arrested in England on a Charge OF
Burglary, He Is Brought
Back to This Country.

Chief Lees yesterday received a tele-
gram from the Inspector of Police Of New
York City announcing the detention there
OF Charles Fisher one of the most noteo
forgers IN the country. Several years ago
Fisher, who is known as the liking Of
forgers," visited this city and with the aid
of an accomplice succeeded in passing
forged check on the defunct Pacific Bank
for $1,000. After obtaining the money
Fisher at once left the city and went to
New York. While there he met Becker
and Creegan, the Nevada Bank iorgers,
and they proceeded to owork" several
banks.
Finding that they were suspected they
suddenly disappeared, leaving their vic
Tins to speculate over their destination.
subsequently Becker and CTeegan came
to this city and perpetrated the now
famous Nevada Bank forgery. Fisher
went TO Cincinnati, where he swindIed
the First National Bank of $1,000 by a
forged check. He was arrested Tor the
crime and thrown in prison.
While awaiting trial he managed to
escape from the Jail in which he was con-
fineG. and subsequently went TO England.
Last May be WAS arrested in London for
burglary and sent TO prison for six
Fisher had visited a saloon where gang
OF burglars neld forth, and when the poll ce
raided the place he, rather than have his
identity revealed, pleaded guilty to a
charge of burglary.
In telling the story of his life to a New
York J udge who sentenced him to Jail for
forgery Fisher said he had been a thief
since he was u years old. He is now 46
For q number of years he achieved
fame, not only as a forgeT, but as a noted
mailb box robber. 1t was he who organ
ized the notorious gang of mailbox rob-
bers who made life miserable for the mer-
chants OF New York and Chicago. His
scheme was 10 have one of the gang dress
as a mail carrier. He would collect" the
letters in the n nercantile district and take
them to the headquarters OF the gang,
where they would be opened.
In case a check for 4 small amount was
found in one of the letters it would be
handed 10 Fisher, and lie would proceed
to raise" the amount. 1t is said by these
means the gang got away with several
thousand dollars. Their operations be-
came so bold that the postal authorities
called in all the available detective talent
in the country, and a concerted effort was
made 10 apprehend the gang. Several OF
them were finally arrested and sent to the
penitentiary.
Fisher, knowing that he was suspected,
left the country, going TO South Africa.
Creegan, one of the Nevada bank for
gers, was for many years a partner OF
Fisher. The latter was the "penman,"
and it is said that they succeeded in pass
ing a number of bogus checks. After
Creegan deserted HIM to join Becker,
Fisher took up with Brooklyn Johnnie -
an expert lOcksmIth, and Billy" Morgan,
who acted as layer down" Both the
latter were convicted OF forgery and are
now doing time in Sing Sing.
ha -
Fisher was in Jail in England notified the
authorities of Cincinnati, with the result
that extraditiOn papers were issued Tor
his arrest. An officer was sent to Eng
land, and as the noted forger left the Jail
he was at once rearrested. Accompan led
by the Cincinnati officer Fisher arrived in
New York on Decem Der 8 and was tenn
DorariIy lodged in the tanks. Subse-
quently he was taken 10 Cincinnati TO be
tried for his crime.