The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
Mr.. HEYS A SMOOTH ONE
HE DID A PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS in
THE CHECK LINE.
Indiana Manager of Bankers Life In
surance Company Passes from
Scenes of His Activity.

Joseph c. Heys, local manager of the
Bankers Life Insurance Company Of New
York whose offices were in the Stevenson
building, has disappeared, leaving behind
him many small debts and number of dis
honored checks. 1t is said that his swind-
ling operations Melted him several thousand
dollars
Heys came to the city about year ago
and conducted himself very we'll until sew
eral months ago. He had a good presence,
was fluent talker and made many friends.
He wrote so much insurance that his en-
ployers extended him their confidence and
permitted him to branch out over the State.
It develops now that he secured his bust
ness by cutting down the first premiums,
in some instances receiving nothing at all
from the insured. Last October Heys be-
gan to take advantage of the trust imposed
in him by the insurance company He
caused the engraving of contracts for
agents, which he pretended were sent him
by the company. In these contracts it was
provided that the agent should deposit 500
with him as general agent in order to In
sure good faith. If at the end of three
months the agent had proved himself
worthy of trust the money was to be re-
turned to him. 1t seems that a number OF
men accepted these terms in various parts
of the State, and as the three months time
is up on some Of the contracts letters are
now being received asking for the return
of the money. The representatives of the
Bankers Insurance Company say the COM
pany did not authorize the contracts anu
knew nothing of them.
Another scheme successfully worked by
Heys was through his securing the agency
of the Check Bank Limited, of London,
which sells checks redeemable anywhere,
the checks being bought by travellers to
avoid, the carrying OF money. Heys ob7
failed to account to the company for them.
Heys also tried to work the Capital Ma
tional Bank and other banks. S eve al
the Capital National Bank which was
drawn upon a Muncie bank. Shortly after
ward he came into the bank and said that
there were no funds in the Muncie bank,
and asked that other checks of his not be
paid until the check for 800 was met. This
proceeding that the bank had become cogni-
zant of. But later on check, also for
$500, was returned protested from New
York. Heys explained this to President
Medford b. Wilson, of the bank, as being
the result of an error, but at the same time
he drew the little balance he had left in
the bank and entered new account in the
name of Nora Dougal. cashier, whom he
employed in his office, and to whom he now
owes SIS in wages. The sum he deposited in
her name was S25. He then left the city,
but before going caused Miss Dougal to
sign a number Of blank checks used by the
Insurance company He told the young
travelling expenses. The checks are now
being heard from. One for $500 was pre-
sented to bank at Washington, but that
institution took the precaution of commune
eating by telephone with the Capital Ma
tional, upon which it was drawn, and thus
saved itself from loss. Another check for
800 was passed upon bank at Pendleton,
and Mr.. Wilson thinks that it was cashed.
Two other checks for $50 and s25 have also
been received by the Capital National
Besides these shady transactions, Heys
seems to have wormed himself in the good
graces of others whom he afterwards
fieeced. He was married to a girl not yet
of age. His last place of residence was lis
East Walnut street where it is stated that
Mrs. Heys left on Monday, saying she was
going to Boston for few days, and would
be back. Heys left on Saturday An in
vestigation of their rooms on Wednesday
showed that all of their effects were gone
The board bill was unpaid. OF late it has
been noticed that Heys was drinking. Eff
forts are being made for his apprehension.