The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-15
WHIT EMAN CAUGHT.
The Notorious Bank
Swindler Landed in
New York.
OPERATED IN NEW ENGLAND.
Was Graduate of Columbia
and Chief Of a
Gang.
OPERATED IN new ENGLAND.

New York, Nov 14.-There is at po-
prisoners in whom the police of almost
every big American city have a keen
interest. They were rounded UP after
being watched for several months, and
were formally held by police magis-
trate today, on the nominal charge of
beng suspicious persons.
The police of this city say that most
Of the prisoners have been convicted,
here and elsewhere, of all kinds of
swindling that has netted them many
thousands of dollars. The prisoners
are Alonzo ]. Whiteman of Dansville,
N. Y, the alleged head of the gang. He
is a graduate of Columbia law school,
former state senator of Minnesota, a
former candidate for congress, and once
millionaire.
Frank Edmunds, clerk, of New York;
John Thompson, alias William Hart
| ley alias p. Lawton, alias DIR. George
w. Johnson, a clerk, residence I'M
known; Robert J. Knox, lawyer, of New
York
There is under arrest at Pittsburg a
fifth member of the gang, D. Stewart,
alias Charles Ward, about 60 or 20 years
of age. He was arrested at Pittsburg
| yesterday.
An alleged swindling operation re-
counted by Capt. McClusky, occurred
| on Oct. 3 last. The First national bank
of Woonsocket, R. L, paid $4,000 on a
| worthless draft drawn by the Lawrence
| National bank of Lawrence, Kansas, on
the First National bank of New York
city. This deal, the police state, was
| operated by Charles E. Stewart, alias
Charles Ward, aided by Edmunds,
| Thompson and Knox, and directed from
Dansville, n. Y, by Whiteman. After
! this, the gang, except Whiteman, went
| to Pittsburg, where the next victim, in
| the shape of the Manufacturers Ma
| tional bank, was to be worked.
| The scheme there, according to the
| police, was to deposit $1,000 in cash and
10 open an account and give the gang
| a standing. This was done. A bogus
| draft for $4,000 was to follow, and then
an effort made to draw $4,000. Stew
| art, alias Ward, was to do the work.
| He is gray and venerable. The bank
| officials were notified by the police, and
| plans were made for the arrest of the
entire gang when they came on Monday
to draw the $4,000. The plans miscar-
ried, and Stewart alone was caught. The
! other three escaped to New York The
/ Pittsburg police wired Capt. McClusky,
and they were caught soon after land
/ ing here. --.-.----.-.--. $3.50.
Whiteman, who came from Dansville
to this city on Saturday last, was ar
rested at the Hote! St. Marc on Fifth
avenue, where he had registered as
c. w Caldwell of Philadelphia. He had
| been sending invitations to himself by
telephone and telegraph to occupy a
| box at the horse show, and to dine
with various prominent clubs.
| Chief of Detectives .McCluskey says
! Whiteman is wanted in Chicago, where
he was tried year ago for grand lar
ceny, and sentenced to serve two and
half years, he having jumped his bail
when he learned that the Illinois court
of appeals had affirmed his sentence.
He will be turned over to the Chicago
police, who are believed to be on their
way for him.