Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-02
AN IMPORTANT ARREST
John B. Ford Accused of Making and
Passing a Bogus Money Order.
HAD DAMAGING EVIDENCE ON HIM
Admits That He is a Member of
a Gang.
SAYS He WAS SENT HERE TO SWINDLE

In the person of john f. Ford. who
was arrested on Tuesday, charged with
passing bogus money order on Will
liam II. Mearns, the halter, the Federal
authorities believe they have one OF an
organized gang of Bwiudlors. Ford
himself has acknowledged that he ia
connected with gang and that be was
assigned TO the diHtirct comprising
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and
West Virginin, for bis operations.
Tuesday evening Ford bought hat at
the store of W. 4. Mearns and offered
a money order for S25 in payment.
The money order purnorted to have
been made out at the Belmore, O..
postof,lce, and Mr.. Mearns accepted il,
giving Ford check for Sl2 and other
money in change. Ford went away with
his purchase, but Mr. Mearns became
suspicious of the transaction and mott
fled the police. Awhile later Ford was
arrested by Detective Witsil Just as he
was boarding train for Philadelphia.
When searched at the police station,
evidence of the nature of his supposed
swindling game was found on him.
There were about 10 money order
blanks, with rubber stamp and rub
her type, by which any name could be
placed on the stamp. The prisoner also
had two bottles of ink, one carmine,
tho other black lie had a now pair Of
trousers with him, but where he got
them is not known.
Yesterday morning the city authorities
turned Ford over to the Federal author
tiles as the crime with which he is
charged is against Federal rather than
local statutes. At the Federal building,
Fuj was arraigned before United States
Commissioner S. Richmond Smith on
information sworn to by Postmaster
Enoch Moore.
In this information Col. Moore said
that be had reason to believe that on
or about August 3lst, John Il. Ford re-
ceived a money order, No. 21i5 for $50.
issued by the postmaster at Belmoro,
O., knowing the same to have been
stolen or embezzled from the mail or
out of said postofiice, or from the per-
son having the same in custody: that
Ford, with intent to defraud did falsely
make. forge and counterfeit, or cause
to be falsely maze, forged and counter
feited, an order in imitation of an order
purporting TO DO money order, num-
bered No. 25l5 and dated August 28th,
1897; and that Ford, with intent TO
defrRud, did pass, utter and publish q
false, forged and counterfeited money
order. upon William L. Mearns, know
ing the same to be false, forged and
counterfeited.
Under the information Ford ia
charged with violating Nos. 40, and
5463 of the Revised Statutes. Upon con-
viction, the fine would be not exceed
ing s.. 900 and the imprisonment not
exceeding five years.
When arraigned Ford refused to
plead He said he wished TO consult
an attorney. No witnesses were ex-
amined aud Commissioner Smith held
him in so, 500 bail for hearing on
Saturday morning at TO- 30 O'Clock. He
was taken to New Castle Jail on a COM
mitment.
Besides admitting that he was con.
nected with a gang, Ford intimated
that he had not given bis right name
fearing it would kill his mother to
know of his position. When asked IL
Ford was bis name he said he was
known by that name. He is tall and
dark and wears light moustache.
United Safes Marshal Hewson e. Lam
nan, who talked with him thinks he is
from Ohio. The prisoner talked like a
buckeye" and the fact that he carried
two horse chestnuts added to that i'm
preston. According TO the marshal the
gang operated by first breaking into a
postofiice and stealing money order
blanks and then distributed them for
uso In different places.