The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-29
VlCTINIzED ST. JOSEPH'S
THE BOGUS CHECK OPERATOR
sWINDLEs THE HOSPITAL

OuIy Succeeded in Obtaining $40,
but the Smooth Way in Which He
Opernted Indicates That He Is "a
Good Man to BE on the Lookout
For-PoIice Have Been Unable
to Locate Him.
The young man giving the name OF
w. A. Burton, alias Walter clayton.
who has been operating with Forged
checks among st. Paul business houses,
shows no consideration on the selection
of his Victims He robbed St Joseph
hospital Of $40 through his method Oh
using bogus paper. Another case IN
which he was mixed up was exploited
in The Globe when an effort was
made to palm off a $50 forged check
on the Globe Business college.
Last Monday, w. J. Woodbury., VINO
has a job printing establishment IN
the Davidson block, was approached
by a young man of excellent appear
ance, who claimed that his father was
about TO reorganiZe the First National
Bank of Watertown, S. D., which ha1
recently closed its doors. He asked
Mr.. Woodbury. to give him figures on
complete line of bank stationery, ap-
pearing quite familiar with all the
forms necess airy for a banking bu:ine S:
MIR. Woodbury. displayed his personal
check book which was quite mover;
having a neat cut just to the right OF
the printed fotm. Burton asked if he
might have one of the checks to snow
his father. as he seemed quite taken
with the design. Before leaving, ne
stated that he would submit the hg-
1lres and samples to his father, VINO
was stopping at the Ryan, ana return
in the afternoon.
DIR. = !. Abbott, in the End:cott Ar
cada was the next man visited by Bur-
ton. He represented to the doctor that
he was a brother-in-law Of Mr.. wood
burv. and his wife was quite i'll at the
RYAN hotel Burton asserted that ne
lad been referred to DR.. Abbott as a
skillful surgeon, and shght operation
would be necessary
DR.. Abbott told the young man TO
have his wife removed to the st. Jo-
senh's hospital that evening. Securing
n note to the sisters from DR.. ABBOTT,
who is prominently identified with the
staff of that institution. Burton next
made his appearance at the hospital.
He told the same story about his wire,
and stated that he was a clerk in the
employ of Nj. Woodbury.. The note
from the doctor was presented, and it
gave him the confidence of the sisters.
He enga ged a ward for his imaginary
wife. and presented a check for $50
on the Germania bank signed wv. j.
Woodbury." The check was the one
which had been secured in blank from
Mr.. Woodbury. earlier in the day The
sisters knowing little of the receptions
often practiced in such matters prompt
ly accepted the check for the ward en-
gagged. and refunded to Burton $35, the
difference in the price of the accommo-
datiOn.
The check went through the clearing
house on Tuesday, and reached the
bank on Wednesday. The tellers
promptly recognized the signature as
a forgery, and promptly communicated
by telephone to Mr.. Woodbury..
Dr. Abbott was also informed of the
imposition and reported the matter
Immediately to the police. Several of
the local detective force put in Wednes-
day and yesterday looking for Burton,
bat up to last night were unable to
get any trace Of him.