The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-30

the last ten days show that this rumor
was well founded, and Jernegan's pecu-
liar financial operations here in connec-
ton with his confederates form tho GU
rious chapter which follows;
A young man representing himself as
Frank w. Thompson appeared in the Of
flee of a brokerage firm In Wall street
on July 10 and asked them to buy for him
$4,000 in government bonds. He had no
letter of introduction, but said that he
had seen their advertisement and had call
ed to do some business with them. They
bought the bonds and he paid for them
Ia cash. A few days later he bought
$4,000 more bonds and paid for them In
cash also, which large cash payment eX-
cited the establishment of the brokers.
They asked ham If he was not afraid to
carry so much money with him. and he
said, "Oh, moi" They then asked him
why he did not keep bank account, and
he replied that he did not know where
to open an account, so they recommended
him 10 the Fourth National Bank, where
they did business.
He thereupon applied to the Fourth Ma
tional Bank for the privilege of opening
an account with them, and, on their in
quiry, he informed the officers that he
was Frank w. Thompson, private secreta-
ry 70 A. b. Holt of Providence, r. l.,
and that his address was box 604, Bank
of North American Safe Deposit Com
pany His recommendation being salts
factory TO the officers, his account was
received, and he made a deposit of 5000.
This was made in cash, which was not so
satisfactory as a draft or check, which
would have given some clew to his rela-
tionship. He supplied so little informa-
ton about himself that President Sim
mons, when the account of the new dealer
came under his observation, at once start
ed an inquiry to obtain some information
as to his character and standing In Prov-
dence. Meanwhile Thompson continued
to make large deposits in the bank in
$500 bills The keenest curiosity was
aroused as to his operations, and every
effort was made to trace his movements.
One day a prominent Wall street house
presented q check drawn TO it's own order
by Thompson for $8,750 and desired to
have 1t certified. Here was a chew. On
inquiry It was learned that the check was
to pay for United States coupon bonds
which the firm had bought for Thomp-
SON.
Here was a man, dropped, as 1t were,
from the sky, who turned up with tens of
thousands Of dollars in bills and who was
turning them into the most readily nego-
table bonds Ia the world. 1t was curious,
and the Fourth National officials redoublcd
their efforts 10 find out who and what ne
was. From Providence 1t was learned that
no such man as Frank w. Thompson was
known there, and that the address given,
as well as the name, was fictitious.
1t was soon discovered that this mystic
rious person had a box in safe deposit
vault in the vicinity of Wall street, and
that he was in the habit of calling there
every morning. His movements here also
were mysterious. He always arrived in
cab with another person The cab would
stop on the opposite side Of the street, and,
the curtain being closely drawn, it was i'm
Dossible to see who this person was.
Thompson also carried a travelling bag,
which he seemed either to empty or fin
every morning on his visit to the vault.
One day he bought from the Wall street
house already mentioned $25 900 in govern
rnent bonds. the cost Of which al the mar
lSnt price was about SOL 900. IL was late in
fine afternoon when ne called for them.
lie stated that as he did not have sufficient
nancy in the bank he could not draw a
check but he said he could get the cash al
The deposit company, and 80 he rushed 10
he deposit vaults with his bag in hand.
1'he keen eyes employed by the Fourth
National were secretly following his move
neuts. He entered one Of the booths Of the
safe deposit company. he took no money
out Of his box, but he opened the bag and
took out stacks OF $500 bills. These he sort
ed and rearranged and replacing them IN
the bag hurried back and handed over the
S31 900 to pay for the bonds.
Ii was so unusual transaction, that the
banking house was suspicious as TO the
eenuineness OF the bills and sent them over
10 its bank for examination. on their be-
ing reported as good, the bonds We're de-
livered. These large transactions were
kept up for several days until an aggregate