Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-19
FORGERY CHARGED.
A BIG SENS ALTON IN THE CITY OK
THE DAN.
WARRANT ISSUED FOR THE ARREST
OF weII-Known Young Man and
Trusted Employee of Tobacco
Warehouse Firm-SeVeral BANKS
Nictimized.

DANVILLE. VA. December 1S.-(Spe-
caI)-A tremendous sensation was sprung
on the city this morning when it became
public report that James II. Slaughter
trusted employee Of +. L. Acree n Bro
Their. proprietors Of AGREES Tobacco
Warehouse here had been charged with
raising notes endorsed by the firm 10 the
aoerepate amount of $500 three Of the
local hanks being the alleged victims or
the procedure ON Saturday II began 10
be rurnored that Slaughter had raised
notes. but 20 what amount could not De
automatically learned. nor could the ru-
mors be verified from the parties interest
on. on Sunday the rumOrs became more
general. and the reported amount IN
volved gradually increased. rumor fixing
Il at about 5000. but precisely the amount
of the alleged note-raising no one VINO
knew would say. and those who did not
know could not say.
The Dispatch correspondent this morn
ing called at Acree's Warehouse TO make
inquiry as to the alleged acts OF Slaugh-
ter's. and found Mr. j. =. AGREE was out
of town. Mr.. L. Z. AGREE. the other
member OF the firm, when asked 10 make
a statement as TO the rumors then widely
current. firmly. but politely, declined 10
do So Mr.. - 4. overly. president OF
the Bank oil Danville, which. II was said.
was one OF the heaviest losers by the
transaction also positively, but firmly,
declined to talk about the matter.
From other reliable sources. however.
It was learned that Slaughter was ac-
cused Of raising small notes. each for
less than 800. 20 amounts that aggregate
$500. OF these notes the Bank of Dan
vile IS said 70 be- the heaviest holder,
having paid out 50 300; the First National
formerly Planters NationaD Bank comes
next, with 5000. and the Peoples Bank
holds the raised paper 10 the amount Of
81 500. OF the bank officials seen none of
them would talk. II is not charged that
the endorsement was forged. That In
every case is admitted TO be genuine. #
Is said According 10 current report,
Slaughter, when charged by his employ
ers with the offence. admitted IT, and
confessed that he erased the amounts for
which the original notes were endorsed
by the use of some acid. and then filled
I'm the blanks for the larger amounts.
The work was so cleverly done that In
every case the notes readily passed In
spection al the banks, and were honored
thereby. Experts who have examined the
paper say that the closest. most minute
! inspection Of paper ana penmanshlp rams
10 indicate the use Of acids In any way.
1t has generally been cOntended that
where erasures are thus made the paper
upon close inspection Will inevitably show
H. 4 well-known bank official stated
this morning that he had carefully exc
amned one or more of the notes and was
absolutely unable 10 detect any indica-
tons of erasures or changes. He charac'
terized the process as marvellous. JUS
what acid was used IS not yet stated.
Late this afternoon Mayor Wooding
after consultation with the Wctimizel
/ bank officials, issued a warrant f0l
| Slaughters arrest. charging him with VI
tering forged paper. When officers Wen
to serve il he had disappeared. and up L,
! midnight had not been apprehended
| though he is known TO have been in town
an hour before. II is said the police ar
on his trail, and that his arrest is pracd
cally assured.
Slaughter Is a young man Of fine socia
and business standing, Of excellent famil,
connection, and was married about a yea
ago TO a beautiful young lady OF thl
| city.