The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-30
ANDERSON A FORGER.
How Mr.. BulIitt's Private Secre-
tary Went Astray.

ne people oil TINS city were electrified
yesterday on hearing what many sup
posed to he ~ false rumor to the effect
that G. Graham Anderson, chief clerk to
w. c. Bullitt, late traffic manager of the
Norfolk and Western railway, had been
forging his chiefs name to checks
amounting in the aggregate to almost
81, 900.
Many smiled increduousy when they
heard it aud soon dismissed the sllblect
from their minds, tut their incredulitv
Was soon turned into CONSERVATION end
establishment when intimate friends of
the accused verified the report.
1t seems that Mr.. Anderson, having
complete charge of Mr. Bullitt's bank
books and other papers, had learned to
write his signature so we'll that it even
bniiled the bank officials and knowing
this, he was tempted and fell. He had
heen with Mr. Bullitt since 1898, aud in
1871 he started forging Mr. Bullitt's
paine to checks, and has kept it up until
his sin found him out and he was con
fronted with his shortcomings, but not
before he had gotten between $3.50 and
F9lO OF his employers money.
The first check that he forged was i'm
ioHI, ana after waiting eleven months lie
forged another, and then after that they
became more frequent
been held in high esteem. by all who knew
him, both as strict business man and
ms Christian gentleman, and he ALWAYS
stood we'll socially as we'll as in his
church.
Before coming TO this city it is said
that lie was Methodist preacher, but
was forced to give up that vocation, as
his throat gave out and affected his voice.
After coming TO this city ten or twelve
years ago Mr.. Anderson secured a posi-
ton under Col. y. Pope, who WAS at that
tihe general freight agent, and he worked
There until 1880, when he accepted the
position Of chief clerk to Col. Chas. G.
Eddy,the first vice. president of the road
After Mr.. Eddy left the Norfolk ami
Western railroad he still held the same
position and when Mr.. Bulltt was elected
10 the vice'presidency in 1898 he retained
MIR. Anderson as his chief clerk and pri-
vate secretary
Soon after Mr.. Anderson's arrival in
the city he connected himself with the
FIRST Presbyterian Church, hut later he
Joined tho Second Church lie was also
mt one time president OF the Young MEMS
Christian y ssociation.
Mr.. Bullitt, having the fullest conf
dence in Mr.. \ ntlerson's integrity. never
once thought cf checking up his bank &C
count, but always left that to him ami
only occasionally asked how his account
stood.
As fast as the forged checks were re-
turned from the bank Mr.. Anderson
would destroy them and in this manner
he escaped detection for three years; hut
on Que occasion he did not exercise his
usual care in destroying the checks and
IL torn'up check was found in his scrap
basket n few weeks ago. On being put
n, h..,. n,
Mr.. 'nilitt's name signed to it g., favor
OF q. Graham Anderson. and as Mr.. Bull
nit had drawn no such check he inquired
INTO the matter with the above result.
When first confronted .withthe charge
Mt Anderson denied knowing anything
about 1t, bat afterwards confessed ALL
The last two checks, one for $50 and one
Tor sou, were not destroyed and are now
in MI. Bulitts possession.
BESIDES other Offices which he had held
III this city Mr.. Anderson had been treas
urer OF i'leasauts Lodge y. t. and \. NJ.
Tor some years past
Mr.. Anderson vas also indebted to Mr.
Bullitt for 5000. which the latter had
Loaned him. he had gotten ,oans from
other parties aA ountiug to 1920, al of
which remain unpaid, 1t was learned
that these latter gentlemen would get
out III attachment on NJ. Anderson's
furniture and in this manner try to le-
cover some of their money.
MIR. Anderson was in the city on Tues
day, having come mp from Cape Charles
i'll regard TO moving his family, and re-
turned that night. His family followed
him on Saturday night and at last report
they were all at Cape Char les or in that
immediate vicinity
IL was learned that Mr.. Bullitt haa de-
clded not TO prosecute Mr.. Anderson on
account of his family, us he thought that
they had suffered enough already.