The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-17
LIVED BY HIS WITS.
But His Wits Did Not Always
Prompt Him to Avoid Infrac-
tions of the Law.

A very slick gentleman named Fred
erick w. Morgan, who has been living
by his wits for several weeks. was ar
rested yesterday, at the instance of At
torneys G. T.. Daniels and w. NJ Bun
nell, on charges of forgery. and was
committed to the county Jail by Alder
man kasson in default of bail.
Morgan came to this city some weeks
ago, according to Attorney Daniels,
with considerable money and repre-
sented himself as horse-owner and
bookmaker from Chicago. He had an
interview with Mr.. Daniels, whom he
retained to assist him in experimenting
a colored man, whom he claimed had
robbed him of $500 in Nazareth and
whom he had followed to this city
After being here for a week or more,
he became what is known as broke"
and began to run up board bills, livery
bills and various other kinds of ac-
counts. That he had his scheme in
mind for some time before he attempted
fact that he wrote Il note to Attorney
Daniels one night making an appoint
ment and asking for an answer to be
sent back by the messenger who de-
livered it. This gave him IL signature
of Mr. Daniels to work from.
On Sunday last Mr.. Daniels was
called to New York, and on Monday
morning Morgan appeared ut his office,
expressed surprise at his absence from
the city, and asked for a sheet of paper
and envelope saying he wished to write
him q letter The stenographer gave
him some of the Office stationery, which
he used in preparing the following
letter, which he presented half hour
later to Cashier c. w. Gunster of the
Merchants and Mechanics bank
Scranton, Pa. Oct T. 1902
Dear Sir: 1t affords me great pleasure
in introducing to You Mr.. T.. Morgan. of
Chicago, ILL., He is desirous of opening
an account with your bank He holds Il
check for five hundred $500 dollars
drawn by his son. Mr.. Harry Morgan
payable to Mr.. +. Morgan at your bank.
The full amount of $500 is deposited with
Mr.. John A. Bachman. cashier OF the
Phllipsburg. y. j.. National bank, and
with whom | have been in communic:l-
ton. Mr. f. Morgan is responsible and
herewith cheerfuly declare myself re-
sponsible for the honoring of said check
presented for payment by Mr.. +. Morgan
Mr.. Morgan has arranged for a dwelling
on Jefferson avenue.
Any future favor extended him by You
will be personally appreciated.
Thanking YOU in advance. | am,
Yours truly
Charles L.. Daniels.
Attorney at Law.
p. ST. am retained by Mr. Morgan.
Cashier Bachman will wire you early
Monday II. IN.
Accompanying this was Il letter pur-
porting to be signed by John A. Bach
man, cashier of the Phillipsburg Ma
tional bank. certifying that the $500
mentioned had been duly deposited
there. Mr.. Gunster became suspicious
when he heard Mr. Daniels was not in
town and asked Morgan how much he
wanted for immediate use. Morgan
said $3S. and IL check for $40 was given
him and he was told that it would be
CaShed if endorsed by Attorney Bun
nell who is associated with MI Dam
iels.
Morgan presented the check to Bun
nell. but he refused to endorse it. A
few minutes later, the telephone bell at
the bank rang, and a man, presumably
Morgan, declared himself to be Bun
nell and said he had just endorsed the
check. The bank people took the pre-
caution to call up Mr.. Bunnell at his
office Il moment later, and learned from
him that he had not endorsed the
check. Cashier GunSter had just hung
the receiver up, when Morgan walked
briskly in and offered the check with
wv. NJ. Bunnell," in large, flowing
characters written across its back.
Payment was refused, ana he left the
bank hurrledly.
Trace of him was lost until yester-
day morning, when it was learned that
he had hired Il team of horses from
Bellies, the liVeryman. He was fol-
lowed TO Dunmore by Constable Nit
chell and arrested. A the hearing be-
fore Alderman KasSon, he denied hav-
ing either written the letter signed
"Charles T.. Daniels or having en-
dorsed the check with Attorney Bun
'nells name. He was committed to
Jail in default of $500 bail on each
charge. He was also held on charges
u ldlSt DltttllSt, lltltllti DS IL -
German and G. L.. Smith, with whom
he ran up livery bills.
Morgan Is a well-dressed man, about
A. years old, with good address and all
the outside appearance of gentleman.
The forgery of Attorney Daniels name
was very sklfully done,
Morgan is also wanted for obtaining
whiskey and money under false pre-
lenses. 1t is alleged he forged the
name of IL prominent physician to an
order for whiskey, which he sent with
a messenger boy to a well-known drug
gist,
The note asked for a gallon of whis-
key and change for $40, deducting the
cost of the whiskey, The druggist COM
Piled with the request but when he met
the doctor learned he had been duped,
The messenger boy was sent for and