New-York tribune., 1901-01-10
BIG SWINDLLNG CHARGED.
TWO MEN ARRESTED MORE THAN
$4,000 OF FRAUDULENT NOTES
GIVEN To A CHICAGO MAN.

After several weeks of diigent work on the
part of Detective Sergeants Valley, J. ]. Muir
ply, Strip and Cain, of the Detective Bureau,
James Delasell. ffty-seven years Old who re-
fused his address, and who the police say is
halter. and Charles H. Gardner note broker,
with offices at No. 81 Nassau-st. living at No.
10 West Sixteenth-st., We're arrested last night
They were locked up in Police Headquarters
charged with swindling. Delasen is also
charged with forgery and perjury.
According to Captain Titus, Delaseu was ar
rested on December "a on the complaint Of Mrs
Martha Weeks of No. 2O5 West Twenty-second-
St, who charged him with the larceny Of $50 by
means Of worthless check. The latter made
restitution and the complaint was withdrawn
At the time of his arrest Delaseu had in his
pockets a number of papers and some cipher
notes which the police took a copy of. The po-
lice believe Delasell is a member of gang that
has been flooding the country with spurious
notes.
Colonel Thomas S. Monatt of Chicago. who
is here in the interest Of the Interstate Oil Com
Pany of Fremont County. Wyoming trying to
obtain capital to develop the lands of the oil
company in the West has Offices at No 15
Wall-st. and lives with his wife at No 134
West Sixty-frst-st. Colonel Moffatt told the
police that a personal friend named AIger a
relative of ex-Secretary AIger, had in good faith
introduced him to Gardner some time ago
Moffatt told Gardner that if he could give him
some good rate notes he. Moffatt, would indcrse
them and get the necessary capital for develop
ing the oil lands. Gardner. it is alleged, said
that man named Edward Rafter was rated
high and he. Gardner could get some of his
notes for the Colonel
SENT HIM TO BOSTON
When Moffatt called at the appointed time
Gov hot
Rafter did not want his notes foated on the
market here, as it might injure his credit. Mof-
fatt went to Boston in August. and received
there from Gardner, it is alleged. three notes,
one for $4,000 and two for $500 each The
notes were drawn by Edward Rafter.
Noffatt obtained from a Mr.. Hannis of the
firm Of Page Hannis & Co, in Boston. $4,000 on
the $1,000 note, a check for 1850. and the
rest in cash He indorsed the check and mailed
1t to Gardner. The other notes were sent TO this
city Moffatt found later that the 5000 note
worthless. He refunded to Hannis the
So, 900 advanced to him. Mr.. Page. of the Bos-
ton firm, came here and went with Colonel
Moffatt to see Gardner. Page was unable to get
a satisfactory explanation from Gardner re-
garding Rafter, it is said.
Several weeks later Moffatt was stopped in
the street by a man named Thomas S. Smith,
who lad occupied offices with Gardner. Smith
informed Moffatt that he had notes aggregat-
ing $4,000 which had been issued by the orig
i1al Rafter." After several days Smith, il is
alleged, exhibited the notes. They consisted Of
fourteen notes for 5000 each and six notes or
s., 800 each. They all bore the purpOrted sigma
ture Of Edward Rafter and were drawn on the
Mutual Bank OF this city. Ioffatt had prepared
some affidavits setting forth that the signer OF
the notes, ''Rafter." the Rafter rated in
the commercial agencies, and was the owner or
several grocery stores in this city.
Smith. il is alleged brought Delaseu, who IS
said to resemble Rafter. to the office of A D.
Moore a notary public, who had an office in the
Home Insurance Building. There, it is alleged.
DelaseU sXore that he was the Rafter who had
signed the notes. Moffatt then took the notes.
but soon after found that they were worthless.
Gardner. according to Captain Titus, was ar
rested in 1929 with William F. Ellis and John
Orvis for swindling the First National Bank OF
Washington, Penn, by means of forged notes,
out of $4,000. Gardner made good his share.
amounting to about 5000 In October, 1898,
Gardner was arrested on suspicion of being con-
nected with King alias Howard, a commercial
swindler, now serving a sentence in sing sing
DelaseI was arrested, according 10 the police,
on December Is 1850, charged with forging a
check for SO. Later he was sent 10 prison for
one wear. In 1850 he was arrested in Rochester,
charged with uttering forged papers, and was
sent to Auburn Prison for five years.
Colonel Noffatt at his home last night said the
story as given out by the police was correct
Edward Rafter. a grocer, whose home is at No.
4} West Efghty-eighth-st., informed the police
that he knew nothing whatever of the trans
actions and promised 10 be in court when the
prisoners are arraigned this morning.
Mrs Gardner. the wife of one of the prisoners,
called on Colonel Moffatt last night. and pleaded
for the release of her husband. The Colonel
said that he would let the law take its course.
SAYS CROKER BROKE FAITH.