The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-15
BIG BOGUS DRAFT SWINDLE.
ALoNZO u. WHITEMAH AND -FOUR
PAS SAID TO BE IN 1T, NlBBED.

Say, and Were Ready to Operate Hero.
Alonzo J. Whiteman. once a State Senator In
Minnesota and OF late yonrs on object Of the
greatest interest to the police aud private
detective agencies in various parts OF the
country. has been locked up at Police Head
quarters since early yesterday morning
with three other men whom Capt. McClusky
says are members OF gang Of which
Whteman Is the head. which has been
carrying on extensive swindllng operations
by means OF bogus drafts. The four men are
awaiting the arrival from woonsockset r. l..
Chicago. Boston. Long Branch, Atlantic City
and half dozen other places. OF men who the
police say have been swindsd by the gang and
want to Identify them.
The arrest OF the prisoners followed the re-
ceipt by Capt. NcClusky Of a telegram from
Pittsburg SAYING that the whiteman gang had
been folled in an attempt to swinde there and
that part Of the gang had started for New York.
Detective Sergeants Foye. Holland and Frazss
were detailed to watch for whiteman and
any OF his friends and Just before 10 O clock
yesterday morning they came across Whiteman
talking with Robert J. Knox. a lawyer Of l3S
West Thirty-th.rd street at Thirty-third street
and Sixth avenue and arrested both. A few
minutes later they found John Thompson.
alias William Hartley. alias P. Lawton. an old
time chum OF Whteman's at Thirty nth
street and Broadway. in company with Frank
Edmunds well-known crook. and arrested
them. also taking tho four to headquarters for
the night. Capt. MsClussy said yesterday
that nth member OF the gang IL now under
arrest In Pittsburg. having been caught there
after the others had started away when ex-
posed there. lie IL Charles +. Stewart, alias
Charles Ward. and he Il also wanted in Woon
socket Il. l.. where. according to McClusky.
q y n.AN L.. 4
OF the same trick which the gang attempted to
work in Pittsburg.
The draft han.s used by tho gang were
made by a Arm OF photographers in this city
presumably for tho First National Bank OF
Lawrence. y. Y. Tho blanks were procured
by Whteman In person. posing as W. l.. Howe.
cashier OF the bank. and he had the initials,
N y" omitted from the blanks with the re-
suit that the gang has used them for banks in
OF that name In Kansas. Whtteman. however,
made the mistake OF having the, figished
addressed In care O! his mother. one OF the
packages vas found floating in the North
Mar aud fell into the hands OF a Pinkerton de-
tective. whitsman's home was watched. his
associates were spotted, and word TO look out
picked up. was sent to Capt. McCusly
u The gang nrss turned ur in this city in
As DR. George W. Johnson. a prospective
purchaser Of real estate, he called upon John
ns s.a. s9d f:. !ook
check for 500 On the Iiobok en- Loan and sa,.
Tor 5000. hall OF the purchase price. and
said he would pay the rest in cash; He
nirodueed him sV at n. nice: os the F Gsnir.
Trust Company Of BROOKLYN. aud he opsnsd
s an sscO so9 s the Eh sof x:
strength Of his Introduction and the dra!t. and
g." The, guarantee check for $500 also
woonsoet.t was Visited on Oct. 3. Steward.
the First National Hank Of that town TO accep.
sb Frs. Ns Bsni q afIG"fss Sn,S sa
t. rs, Ss',onSl B1 AK 81 chi, ia ciy n. s3s
assoc'atsd with Ward in this deal,
,r',ssouIS'. turn came me-, psf, The police say
cash with, the Trade.men's National Bank Of
s' SsS. d TOR & S s fs' the he
Ssnk The Pinkerton agency had warned
Monday the money VA. refused Wards
pal. Ned before the police, arrived but b,
into M, the hand; o. II: Pt,'1SSra pole. sSS
street and Broadway in this city was the
rendezvous. and so Informed Capt; Mcclg.ky,
Whitsman had come 20 town early on Mon
Ge,. pS@HH sr Hss ri fh ;5.ns. ron e.
i.,sred as &c W Colw.l! Of rhiladelphis."
Sitins him % to Il. Hors. IssSs Show and to
q luncheon at the Down Town Club in
,s' q wara Il
Pittshurg and going to the rendezvous at tba
appointed hour was arrested. He had at
tempted a disguise BY dying his moustache
and hair.
whteman. according to police records. has
criminal OF his age. yet though tried an 1 CON
yicte several times he ha. never served day
no. HIS I. The :o s"s
wealthy parents. Il. was born IL this State thip.
ty-nips years ago; aud after being graduated
where no engaged in the ium Der business He
was elected State Senator from Duluth and
s'tervsrd he failed. and became a. bookmat
S,S e wo The G
being detected Il rH.sins bosa. checks,
&hLteman, as Frederick Henry. operated
&. and Ps wS.ms s1' ..s s
and went to Chicago. where he was accused OF
ssnIGGi1g Harry Gonwny E GhlcsgS cr29oE GTt
o. that city Conway Is now In jail for his part
WHlt man H"l 10 EnRlhnu he ttIcu 70 yet
a London hank TO cash n bogus check FOR
$500 Purporting to have been :, drawn
Bank OF Dar AyIlle. n y. but failed and went 10
Paris, where he ynnly tried to get cash on
similar che"ks II. returned 70 this country.
and In 1898 was arrested in San Francisco on a
charge OF forgery. and was sentenced to nine
~ ars' Imprisonment. He secured q stay and
new trial and jumped his bail According to
Capt. McC,usky he II wanted IN Chicago to |
serve a sentence 81 two years and ak months
for forgery in this rlty for swndling the Hotel
Bartholdi: In Boston for swindng the Parker
House. and In Atlantic city for swIndlng the
Islsworth Hotel He was In trouble here only
few months ngo, but when arrested put upG
few hundred dollars cash bail and was allowed
by Magistrate Pool to walk out of court.
Edmunds, who was arrested with Whiteman
yesterday. Is 30 years old. His picture is
no was sent to F'mira for grant lar
ceny under the name OF Walter Edwards
and he has since served two terms In
Sing Sing. He was released only three months
AGO Thompson Is IN the Rogues Gallery rs
Frank wilson. He has served sentences In
Sing Sing, weahershc!l,, Conn, and pnilsdeI-
phla and Il now wanted for ihefts ut Long
swind ing the Murray Hill Hotel in this city.
Ward has served three terms in Sing Sing
for forgery and one elsewhere. One OF his
holsat thafta Was that nj nm Overcnnt and