The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-16
BOGUS WARRANTS AFlOAT.
MANY FoRCERIES OF STATE
TREASURER BoNEN's NAME.
frnntes xIo.WsA-<seorge ID. Evans,
Who Has Disappeared. Suspected

Specia. Dispatch 20 the Post-Tntslligeueer
OLYMPIA. June 15.--Ths startling dis
coveTg has just been made that there are
forged Washington state warrants in cir
culaticn. The amount already discovered
II between $3.50 and $1,000 What there
may he in excess OF these amounts WIZ
only be ascersainei by future calls by the
state treasurer. These forgeries are OF the
signature OF the state treasurer. q. A.
Bowen. and are perfect. and were eofn-
rni.ted il is suspected by George d. Ev-
ans e1-deputy state auditor. whose where
abouts - now unknown. The state VIII
loss nothing The loss wifi fall upon the
holders Of the bogus paper.
The method used WAS uniform and sys-
temsfsc. The f0rger was no 'chunher"
The smallest forged warrant discovered
was for go and the amounts vary from
this up 10 sl.oea. When a warrant had
been drawn for large claim. the original
would be presented to the treasurer fer the
usual Endorsement Not paid fer want Of
funds" and then the forger would make
copies OF these warrants. usually two du-
plicates. which he would sell when oppcr-
tunity appeared. The forgeries were gem
orally on the treasurer usually indorsiug
the name Of the payee per e. In one
case al least which has already come 10
light the ex-deputy auditor issued three du-
plicateS
The f0rgeres. are so perfest as 10 rlsslead
an expert and DOUBTLESS the treasurer HIM
self would not have detected the fraud had
the warrants passed through his hands
The only apparent difference between the
forged and duplicate warrants vas IN the
numbering. The number on the original
warrant was autographed while these on
the forged ones were made with num-
bering machine.
This queer system of financierng COM
menced IN September. 1855. and there is
now no means Of ascertainlng over how
long a period IL continued. The fraud was
perpetrated on general fund warrants ex-
cltsively. far as known.
The discovery was first made when du-
rlica'a warrants were sent to the treas
urer In the same hatch tpr payment.
1t is not thought here that Evans had
any confederates. and all the forged paper.
so far rs known. was disposed of In Port
land, Seattle. Tacoma and Spokane
When the facts came to the knowledge OF
the state officials every effort was made 10
ascertain the whereabouts OF Evans hut
without success as yet. Doubtless a re-
ward viii be offered for his apprehension
On the expiration Of his term of office
January II. 1885,. Evans. who had previous
ly been admitted To the bar. went 10 Spo-
kane and opened a Law office. While there
he frequently exhibited considerable sums
of money. although he was known TO be
without income of any kind.
Evans was a Republican. was appointed
deputy state auditor from Kittitas county
and was very capable clerk. He was
married. and had an adopted child. and his
Wife and child are now living at The
Dalles OR.
Evans has left Spokane and MS where
abcuts seems to be unknown even 10 his
most intimate friends. He cache of a good
iowa family, his father being a banker in
that state. The cause of his downfall was
undoubtedly liquor and he was known as
a sporty" character when intoxicated
frequently SPENDING considerable sums OF
money during a nights debauch. After
spree In Spokane a short time before leav-
ing that city. Evans was reported as hav-
ing had a narrow escape from death by an
overdose Of an opiate. taken to allay neT-
vousness. although those nearest 10 him
believed that be had aItempted salcidc.