Evening star., 1897-05-19
A WAY WARD BOY
j. e Van Anken Under Arrest in
New York City.
@ HAs LED 4 RAPID COURSE
Forge1es Of Checks Among the
Faults Laid to His Door.
WHAT HIS FATHER SAYS

WHAT HIS FATHER SAYS
]. E. Van Auken. the nineteen-year-oId
son of Mr.. F. L. Van Auken, the street
real estate broker. who has his home at
Alexandra. was arrested in New York
Monday night Yesterday he was brought
before Justice Mott and committed in de-
fault of 500 for trial
Young Van Auken, who is well known
in this city. is said to have been spending
money with startling freedom in New York
of late. and the police of that city claim
that several hotels and stores have un-
settled bills against him that will require
a considerable sum of money to liquidate.
He was known in New York, 1t seems,
under the name Of Roston E. Van Rensal-
leur, and was arrested in apartment
house just after he had received Il severe
whipping at the hands of a young woman,
who declares that she has been deceived
by nim The young woman has been for
several years in the chorus of various
Broadway theaters. She declares that he
promised to marry her, and arranged that
the wedding should take place last week,
and that he and his bride should sail for
Europe last Saturday. He sent her huge
boxes of flowers, she says, took her driving
and to elaborate dinners.
She concluded Monday morning that the
young man had been deceiving her; she
was told that he did not have any money;
that he had been swindling hotel keepers
and Broadway storekeepers. and that even
the flowers which he had showered upon
her had not been paid for. She learner
that he was wanted by the proprietors OF
the Hotel Imperial for a bill of $aO. She
had a photograph of him. and sent it to
the hotel detective, asking II Van Aukea
was the man they were looking for. AS
result of this action Detective McMullen
of the hotel called at the apartment on
Monday evening and interrupted the inter-
esting scene wherein the young woman was
belaboring Van Auken over the head with
her leather belt.
His Past Record.
1t is said that several years ago young
Van Auken became addicted to yellow
back literature, and when he was sixteen
years old he took the next step, and got
infatuated with things theatrical and pugi-
listic.
He frequented the variety theaters, grew
acquainted with the actors and actresses,
and was regarded. although SO young. a
high roller" About two months ago a
combination company, which seemed to
possess singularly powerful destinations
for the boy. left Washington and he fol-
lowed it. 1t needs money to travel with
variety troupe, and in order to get it the
young man, it Is said, proceeded to write
names other than his own at the bottom
of checks and get them cashed by accom-
modating strangers. The names he thus
utilized were sometimes that IL his father
and sometimes that of another relative or
close connection, who overlooked the trans
gression each time in the hope that 1t
would be the last.
FOrgcries of Checks.
Young Van Auken It appears, must have
eventually found difficulty in getting
drau oh, he'd
day several weeks ago a check, purport-
ing to be drawn by F. L. Van Auken, and
Endorsed by J. E. Van Auken, with what ap-
peared to be ce-tiication of its genuine
hess and worth by Cashier C. P. Williams
of the West End National Bank of this
city written across its face, sent to
the local bank by the First National Bank
of Brooklyn for collection. The certifica-
ton. though closely initiating Mr.. Will
liams' writing. was at once pronounced
forgery and the Brooklyn bank SO notified.
The morning of April 23 another check
was presented for payment at the West
End National Eank. 1t came through the
Citizens National Bank from the White
& Wilcox Organ Company of Meriden,
Conn. The check was for $780, signed by
F. N. Van Auken and indorsed by ]. Z.
Van Auken. Across the face of it was
written Certified. o. X. c. P. Williams,
cashier"
Mr. williams, when the check was shown
to him Immediately pronounced the certi-
fication a forgery, and at once telegraphed
the Wilcox & White Company as follows:
Check indorsed by ]. E. Van Auken, one
hundred dollars. purporting to be certified
by me. Is absolute forgery
Mr.. Williams. in reply to this message,
received a letter from F. E. Bemis, secre-
tary of the organ company. which said:
Your telegram was received yesterday
and WAS great surprice to US. We are
now waiting to consult our lawyer to
see what steps to take in this natter
His Fathers Statment.
Mr.. F. L. Van Auken, when interviewed
upon the subject of his sons arrest, said:
My son has been in delicate health and
subject to morbid spells, during which his
actions we're often beyond my control.
''One day, just before the Mckinley in
al gural ball, he asked me for $50. Because
declined to give it to him he became NOR
ose, and the next morning walked out of
the house. I have not seen him since.
''I do not know how he has supported
himself as I have sent him no money. and
know of no one who has furnished him
any. He has never known the value of
money, and his debts were often a source
of much annoyance to me. l am not sure
that shall communicate with the authori-
ties in New York unless nv sOp apnaulr