The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-24
NEXT TO HIS WORK
J. G. MORSE CAN NOT BE HELD FOR
FORGERY.

IN His Bogus Draft on the Chemical Ma.
tionaI Bank of New York City He Signs
the Name of House aud Company Per
j. G. III. His Own Initials, and Thus
Puts Himself Out of the Reach of
Penalty for Forgery-Eank OF COM
merce Did Not Cash the Draft But Took
1t for Collection.
The bogus draft spoken of in yester-
lays Eagle was not cashed by the Bank
bf Commerce but was left there for col
lection Mr.. Jobes refused to advance
any money.
Il was a scheme OF Morse to get into
Mr.. Shepard's trust. With the draft
Morse exhibited letter from House &
Co., of Peoria, H. The letter-nead read
IN the. left hand corner ct. w. House,
Houston" and in the right y. G. Moss,
Peor a. and below a line Southern
Lands and estments." House is a
well known millionaire, but Moss IS non
EST
The draft was for 1912 on the Chemical
National Bank Of New York City and
Was signed HOUSE & Co, per J. G. NJ. :"
The initials are those of Morse and by
putting them below he evaded the penal
~ for forgery. He is liable now for per-
pe.rating a fraud.
Mr.. H. A. Shepard was seen in his
sore yesterday and said:
In yesterday mornings Eagle an in
Justice was done me in regard 10 the ab-
sconding OF Morse. 1 never endorsed his
draft for $S7s or for any other amount.
It is true that got caught for a small
amount like good many others in town
but L am not sucker enough to endorse
drafts did put it in the Bank of Com
merce for collection, but that was all
Morse, while not personally known TO me
until two months ago, has a reputation
among piano dealers throughout the
west and has worked for some Of the
largest manufacturing concerns in the
United States. 1 have known of him for
81 ieaat six years. When Mr.. Wilcox
was in the piano business in this city
Morse worked for hin and at that time
enjoyed good reputation. He sold the
q
ever brought TO this city. He was a
smooth talker, a man who thoroughly
understood the business and was an eX-
cellent salesman. He had conducted
himself all right until I left and L had
no reason to mistrust him. Mr.. Donnell
knew his parents in Missouri, who are
among the best people of the state His
father was for number of years state
senator from jefferson county. With
this record, it is no wonder that 1 was
taken in. He has, L have since learned,
swindled some of the biggest piano man
Ufacturfng firms in the country. My trip
TO Kansas City was partly TO investigate
his character. l soon learned there tha :
ne had been in the penitentiary and
wired my father to keep watch on him
Morse made copy OF some Of the du-
plicate paper which 1 had in my desk
The originals were in the safe where he
could not get at them. He a first made
out duplicates to the amount OF 81, 900
and tried to borrow $500 from three loan
agents. He later changed his mind and
took $1,000 in contracts and tried TO bor-
row $500. He was SO smooth that one of
the agents came to the store and was
about TO accept mis- terms. l do not be-
Geve that he got away with $500 in ALL
Sheriff Cone has set out postal cards
offering a reward OF $50 for his arrest
and detention Morse had his Photo
taken only a few days before heleft and
one is attached 70 each of the cards. The
following is the description given:
Age about 81 years, height about 5 feet
2 Or s inches; weight about $50; wears
No II collar, generally lay-down Dark
brown hair and mustache, hair slightly
gray over ears; dark eyes. Slightly bow
legged, rather springy walk. Dresses
well. smooth talker. sometimes using
French or Spanish phrases. Makes ac-
auaintances easy. Rather extravagant
when he has money. Has been a piano
salesman for many years, and will prob
ably apply 10 some music house for en-
ploymsnt. Good salesman, well posted as
to manufacturers. large piano houses
end business methods He left Wichita,
kansas, Sunday a. M, December 18th,
1897. Carrying cheap light leather valise
and small size canvas telescope grip.
Wore dark blue suit, fr0ck coat and
short overcoat Of light weight and ligh.
color. Carries open face watch. Drinks
occasionally and sometimes visits
houses Of ill-fame. He viii probably at
tempt TO negotiate for forged paper at
some bank or money broker Has habi.
nf carrying his hands in pants pockets.
M EiTTH CTIDE