The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-09
A PAIR OF CROOKS
Landed by the Wheeling Police
Yesterday, and are Held.
STOCKMAN FROM THE COUNTRY
Furnished the Evidence on Which
Frank Gifrcn was Held for Passing
Check Drawn on tho German
Bank-Thc Other is rabbit" Bell,
Accused of Circulating Counterfeit
toncy-fn the Criminal Court.

The police made two important ar
rests yesterday afternoon, after the VIC
Tins In both cases had escaped punish
ment at the hands OF Mayor Sweeney In
the municipal police court yesterday
I morning One was Arthur C'Rabb!t')
Bell, a negro. and the other Frank Glf-
fen. alias ". W. Wells and several 9TH
er coSnomens. In the police court, the
prosecuting witnesses failed to hold up
the charge against the pair. that of
being common thleves-consequent
their dismissal.
But Chief Clemans, knowing The
dangerous characters OF the two, did
not allow matters to end with the pair
walking out of the police court room
free men. Early in the afternoon, Bell
was again arrested and taken before
United States Commissioner Boyd, who
held him TO: the United States courts
grand jury on the charge of circulating
counterfeit money. 1t Is stated that the
government will be able TO present
u.
In the county jail in default OF $500
bond. The spring term OF the United
States court in this city opens later in
this month. when Bell will likely be
tried.
Giffen, alias Wells, etc. was arrested
by Lieutenant Eddie MIchaels early in
the afternoon, and was taken TO police
headquarters, where Justice W.. W.
Rogers held n preliminary hearing on
the charge of uttering and passing bo-
gus checks. The complaining witness
was j. N. McClain, Wetzel county
stockman. McClain's story was to this
effect; that he had first met Giffen In
John G. Kline's saloon. on the upper
Market square. two weeks ago Giffen
introduced himself as w. W. Wells,
and said he was an oil man holding eX-
tensive interests in the Scio field. They
became friendly. drank together. and
agreed that they would pool their in
terests at Scio. Mccain knowing OF
some good leases that could be secured
at low price. They made an ap-
pointment for another meeting, week
from yesterday, and both made their
appearance at the time agreed upon.
Al this later meeting, says Mccain,
Glffen or Wells tried 10 snatch his roll
. " aboht SloV, lIbili MS
but was prevented BY Kline nterposing
with the remark:
Hold on, nothing like that goes
here"
After this. McClain says he tried 10
shake Giffen. but the latter followed
him. aad strangely enough again work
ed himself into his confidence. with the
result that In another saloon, Harvey
Roy's. Giffen is alleged TO have stuck
his hand in McClain's pocket and re-
iieved him of 81 20 They returned to
Kline's saloon. where Mccain sue
ceeded in getting a check from G!ren.
II was for S.. signed by wv. W. Wells"
on the German bank of Wheeling. Nc
Claim took the check to the bank, where
payment was refused. wv. ". Wells"
having no account there Theraupon,
McClaln' Informed the police and the
arrest yesterday afternoon and the
hearing before Squire Rogers resulted
Citizen was held for the criminal cour,
grand jury and went TO Jail in defaul.
OF $500 bond. He denied having met or
had any dealings with Mccain. but the
authorities believe the latter Is telling
straight story.