The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-18
Names of WelI-known Citizens
signed TO the Securities whose
Genuineness Is in Question.
POTTER PALMER ONE OF THEM
ID. v. PURINGTON ANOTHER VICTIM
OF THE ALLEGED swINDLE.
Hearing Is Set for NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Is Under Medical Care-statement
Made by Mrs. Purington.

NEW YORK, Nov. 10. B. Wheeler.
jr.. VINO was arrested yesterday on charges
Of forging the names OF Chicago business
men to notes aggregating slOsOOO. was ar
raigned in Police Court to-day. An attor-
ney who appeared for him told the magis-
trate that his client was in his opinion
suffering from the excessive use of some
drug and that he was now mentally unbal-
anced.
Wheeler had the air OF a prosperous busi-
ness man. He is OF small stature. quite
bald and wears beard. While waiting to
be arraigned he walked nervously about
the courtroom. His hands and head shook
percepubly. and when before the bar ne
had to hold on TO the railing to steady him.
self. The attorney called the attention OF
the court to Wheeler's condition and re-
quested that he be sent to Bellevue Hos
pital, where he would be under the care
of his private physician. He further said
that for a month past Wheeler had bsen
constantly attended by a PIRATE nurse.
who knew much about the alleged attempts
on his part TO raise money on the notes.
Magistrate Cornell said that he felt sorry
for the prisoner and thought he was in need
of medical care, and upon the statement
of the detective that he could be attended
by his doctor at police headquarters he
sent him back there.
Sergeant Price said that the Chicago po-
lice had been communicated wiz aRt~s.-
Mr.. Purington was now on his way East
and would be on hand in court Tuesday
TO tell what he knows of the case. DIR.
Ward also will be on hand, according to
counsel and state to the court that in his
opinion Wheeler is mentally unbalanced and
not responsible for his actions.
1t was not until late Saturday night that
the first details of the case became public.
though the arrest was made early in the
day. Wheeler was arrested after several
attempts TO negotiate in Wall street WORTH
less notes TO the aggregate amount OF S103,-
600. which the names of Potter Palmer
and other prominent Chicago men are al
legged to have been forged. The prisoner
is said by Captain Titus chief OF detectives,
to be o. Il. Wheeler, Jr., fifty years old.
although the prisoner himself says he is
Azmer j. Wheeler. He refuses 10 give any
address and declares that he acted IN good
faith in trying TO negotiate the notes. Capt.
Titus says that he learned that among
those with whom Wheeler was trying TO
deal was Fred l.. Wheeler a reputable
dealer in investments and securities in this
city and who is in way related or con-
nected with o. Il. Wheeler. The notes
which o. b. Wheeler was trying 10 dispose
of were all drawn for six months time and
were as follows:
One for 34,7OO, dated Oct l6 1901. bearing
the name of Potter Palmer; one for Sl4250
dated Nov. IA, 1901, bearing the name OF
of the burlington Paving and BRICK Conn., cSrnl
pany; one for Sl5,700. dated oct. %. 1901.
bearing the name Of V. K. Becker; one for
S2l ,O65, dated oct. ls 1901, bearing the name
Of Stratton Fields, and one for $3.50.
dated Oct. q, 1901, and bearing the name
OF ID. V. Purington as an individual The
notes were dated at Chicago H., and made
written, with the exception of the alleged
signatures They were twice indOrsed, first
by n. NJ: Duffy, and second by o. B.
Wheeler. jr.
Captain Titus says he learned that O. r.
Wheeler had first appeared in Wall street
about three weeks ago with the notes in
his possession. He says the prisoner i'm
trying to turn the notes into cash told
bankers and brokers that he needed the
money for the extension OF brickyards ar
Kreicherville, s. l., and to pay of certain
with their holdings Providing he cashed
the notes he could fill large orders that
would net him Sl5oOoO profit. He is said 10
have offered as security the plant of the
Richmond Brick and Tile Company at
Kreicherville, 5. l., and also 10 have taken
out a $4,000 insurance policy on his life.
that the notes had been given 10 him as
consideration for large quantities OF brick
he had furnished.
Captain Titus says he made inquiries by
telegraph as 10 the validity Of the notes,
and says j. V. Purington wired back that
he had neve: issued or signed such a note
as Wheeler was trying TO dispose Of Pot
ter Palmer was not in Chicago when the
captain telegraphed. but his son replied
that his father had not given any note
TO Wheeler The result of the investiga-
tions, and particularly OF the telegraphing
was that o. B. Wheeler was arrested
Wheeler told Captain Titus that " NJ
Duffy, whose name appears the back
OF the TDtes, Is his Chicago salesman and
representative. and that IL the notes are
fictitious il is Duffys fault. The Chicago
police, replying 10 Captain Titus. say that
the name OF n. NJ. Duffy Is not in the Chi
cago directory and that they know OF no
such man. Captain Titus wired Chief OF
Detectives Colleran, OF Chicago. 10 keep a
lookout for Duffy.
When Wheeler was searched at head
quarters a letter purporting 20 be signed
by y. NJ. Duffy was found. There was no
envelope with the letter, on one side OF
which had been imprinted with a rubber
stamp: N NJ. Duffy. 1912 South Clark
street, Chicago. Ill"