The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-01
h. M. MEL SON BOUND OVER
He Must Stand Trial in the Dis
trict Court.
HIS CHECK WAS NOT GOOD
He Is Charged With Passing a Forgery
Upon the Proprietors of the Mono
gram Theater-aad Hearing
Before Justice Laurandeau.

II. NJ. Nelson, the young man ac-
cused Of passing forged check on the
proprietors of the Monogram theater
about 10 days ago, was bound over to
the district court at the conclusion of
his preliminary hearing, which was had
yesterday afternoon in Justice Lauran-
deau's court. On the evening Of the nth
Nelson went to the Monogram with a
check for $50 drawn in his favor on the
First National bank and signed by Hen
ry G.. owens. He was given So IL all
on the check and when the check was
sent to the bank payment was refused,
as no such person as Owens had an ac-
count there. The officers investigated
the case and could find no such pers n
as owens and charge OF forgery was
brought against Nelson.
At the preliminary hearing yesterday
Stenographer Johnson conducted the
case for the prosecution and Attorneys
M. F. Gilchrist and II. 7. Cason appear
ed for the defendant
Jonathan Blake of the Monogram tes-
titled that Nelson came TO the theater
bar about o'clock the evening of the
18th and asked to have a $50 check
cashed. He did not know Owens. and
did not like the appearance of the
check. He declined to cash it, and later
Nelson came back. lie said he knew
pNtiiS NtIy We'll anu bibd5Hl Two VI
three other people who said they We're
acquainted with the maker Of the check.
Nelson was then given $40 on the check
and later in the evening asked for dol
lar on two occasions, which he got by
signing tabs. When the check was sent
to the bank II was refused payment.
j. s. Dutton of the First National
bank stated that no such person as II.
G.. owens was known AZ he bank.
The check and tabs were submitted in
evidence to show the similarity between
the handwriting in which all three were
made.
Stephen George. waiter at the Moao-
gram, identified the slips signed by Mel
son, and testified that he procured the
81 on the tabs for the defendant. This
was the states case, aud the defense
putting in no testimony, Mr.. Johnson
submitted the case without argument.
Attorney Gilchrist. for the defendant.
addressed the court briefly, pointing out
that 1t had not been proved that no such
person as II. G.. Owens did not exist or
that the writing on the check was that
of Nelson. MIR. Gilchrist declared that
the fact that Nelson had not been re-
quifed to even endorse the check was
evidence 10 him that the theater people
thought that they had a sucker and
We're glad TO give him $50 and then when
they found they We're beaten put up
job to get even with Nelson Mr.. Cason
also spoke briefly. and Mr.. johnson
closed the argument by stating to the
court that an effort had been made to To-
cate the alleged maker of the check.
Owens. and had reason To believe no
such person existed. I'll
Judge Laurandeau made an order
binding the defendant over to the dis
trict court in bonds of $500, In default
of bail Nelson was committed to the
county jail.
The preliminary hearing Of William
Burns on a charge of grand larceny for
the alleged theft Of watch from
Thomas O'Neill, resulted in the dismiss
sal of the case. 1t became apparent be-
fore the hearing progressed very far
that the state had a very poor case, and
on motion Of the prosecuting attorney
the defendant was discharged
The case of William +. Logan, charged
With petit larceny for, as alleged, having
unlawfully deprived Agnes Stephens of
q quantity of wardrobe, was continued.