The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-03
FORGEn,S CLnyhR nORE.
4 Very y eat Game Play ed Upon Richmond
Merchants.

A forger has again been getting IN his
clever work in Richmond, and as con-
sequence TWO business houses are each
Sl2 out of pocket, and the fakr in spite
OF strenuous efforts on the part Of the
police. is stun at large.
In the batch OF checks returned 10 the
Security Bank from the Clearing House
yesterday morning We're two for Sl2 tach
signed by Mrs. j. y. Kins and payable 10
George h. Murray.
The checks themselves were genuine
and bore the marks of having been torn
out Of check-bOOk. They were neatly
fixed up. the amount for which they were
drawn being regularly punched in the
margin
one was taken in by Philip b. SHIELD.
trustee for Manly 3. Ramos q Co, and
the other by the y. b. Taylor Company.
They were respectively deposited IN the
state and Citizens Banks.
The checks We're received without ques-
ton because conspicuously upon each was
what purrorted 10 be the certifying stamp
of the Security Bank. AS q matter Of
fact the stamp was different from that
of the Security Bank. but the dissimilar-
ily was not sufficiently marked to attract
the attention of the lynX-eyed receiving
tellers of the two banks mentioned.
The certifying stamp used was In the
form OF q parellOgram. done IN purple ink.
At the top is the printed word certified
The date is written below. and also the
name of "E NJ. Saymond' as paying
teller This signature is wholly fictitious.
but was never observed until the two
checks We're returned TO the Security
Bank.
At first sight the check seemed TO have
been torn from a regular check-book. but
closer investigation showed that a pair of
scissors had been used TO give the end a
jagged appearance
The name of the drawer Of the check.
Mrs j. b. King was written i'm neat
| lady's hand. and the check was endorsed
n firm. bold handwriting Geo. b. Muir
ray" No such name ass Mrs. j. b. King
| appears in the city directory. nor has any
such person an account at the Richmond
| banks.
just as the uptown store of Mossrs.
I T. b. Taylor d CO., No. @ east Broad.
was about TO close Saturday night a large.
nnc-looking man walked i'm and asked TO
see some jardinieres. After inspecting
several. he selected one the price of which
was 81 and rendered Mr.. Miller. who
waited upon him one Of the above de-
scribed checks for 81. MI Miller took
| tho check back to the bookkecper. but
/ tho latter said he could not receive 10.
/ as the man was not known.
/ Upon further examination. however IL
| was found that tho check was certified.
and il was received without further ques-
/ ton The bookkeeper opened the safe.
| which ne had locked for the night, gave
/ him o. $40 bin I'm change. and tho fakir
departed carrying his purchase with him.
As investigation showed. nc then drop
ped into the store Of Manly 3. Ramos &
! Co at ll9 east Broad. and inspected some
| cuitar-hooks. Two dollars seemed TO be
| the limit ne was willing TO 90 on buying
anything. SO he took one al that price
and handed out another of Mrs. King IS
! Sl2 checks.
The same question arose as TO receiving
II as occurred at r. B. Taylors. but the
! certlncatlon settled the matter and he
! was given tn change a. check drawn by
Mr. John H. Powell for $40. Checks were
| of little value to him. however. so he at
once went into the Palais ROYAL next
door 10 get it cashcd. lie was promptly
accommodated. after the check was found
10 be an right by application TO NJ J.
| Ramos & co.
This so far as Is known al present.
was tho last appearance Of the fakir.
though he is thought 20 have swindled
! others.
As soon as the forged checks were dis
covered bv tho Security Bank officials the
matter was at once reported TO the Chief
OF Police. and Sergeant John #. Hall de-
tailed TO work mp the case. Mr. Han at
| once set out to secure "a description OF the
fellow and ascertained that he was q
very large hne-looking man. clean-shaven
and holding himself erect.
Tho name Of the fakir is said TO be Cor
don and he attempted a few days ag'
to swindle merchants in Petersburg. Tie
is thought 10 have gone TO Washington
10y the Chesapeake and Ohio railwa,
| Saturday night.