Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-31
WORKS SMOOTH CANE
Farm Hand Near Melbourne
FORCES Check and Secures
the Money.
Signs Henry Bach's Name to
the paper and j. j. soorholtz
Cashes 1t.
Similar Operations Extensive in
Franklin County.--Look Out
for Mexican Bills.

A smooth soheme on the part of an
alleged farm hand. by which country
merchants and farmers are inveigled
cut of their hard earned dollars has
!come to lighs from Melbourne, is the
first vctin and is minus the sum OF
S1555, which he paid, in merchandise
and cash, to one John ls. Ward.
The scheme is an old one and judg-
ing from reports from adjoining coun-
ferent manner. yet With the same re-
suits. Ward is a young man who went
TO work for farmer near Melbourne
and remained long enough so that he
was able 10 know the names of people
in the neighborhood and become falnil-
lar With conditions generally. When he
considered the time for his operations
he came to this city, secured some
blank checks on the Marshalltown
State bank, returned to Melbourne and
prominent Logan township farmer to
the paper. He drew one check for
S15.S5, rayable to himself Went to Mr..
Soorholtz, bought a pair of shoes and
secured the balance in cash. Mr..
Bachs name was not questioned. as he
is known to be financially responsible.
He does not, however, do business at
4 No ho1l OIL tar.
bank in the city, but instead. at Baxter.
After getting his money Ward shook
the dust of Melbourne from his feet and
started out for greener pastures.
This morning Sheriff Shoemaker re-
ceived from Sheriff l.. II. Wolfe. of
Franklin county, request that he ar
rest. if possible, one C. II. Davis. who is
wanted at Hampton for forgery. Da-
Wis has been operating among the far
mers of Franklin county and the meth
DDS are practically the same at the man
Ward. Davis engaged himself with a
farmer as a hand and, after becoming
acquainted, told of his uncle a promi
nent stock dealer. living at Blooming
ton, Ill. He obtained the signatures
from different farmers of the com,nun-
ity upon the pretense of compiling
list for reference that he might send his
uncle. After having the signatures as
copies, he selected those whom he con-
sidered the best known victims, drew
checks in his favor. bought small arti-
cles from merchants and pocketed the
balance in cash. Davis is said to have
came to the good without much effort
in Franklin county.
Whether or not Davis and Ward are
one and the same is not known to a
certainty, but it is hardly thought they
are, even tho the manner of operating
is practically the same. Davis is de-
scribed as being 5 feet 10 inches in
height, weighing 100 pounds; light
complexion. light eyes and sandy hair.
His nose is prominent and his face thin
and red. He is slender and walks
trifle sloop shouldered.
So far there is but one case of forg-
cry reported as the result of Wards
operations. If other checks We're drawn
they We're either not cashed, or as yet
have never been presented to the bank
for payment. 1t is thought, however,
that Ward attempted to make bigger
haul before leaving the Melbourne COM
but was frightened after get
ting the money from Mr.. Soorholtz,
knowing that it would only be few
days be fore his crooked work would be-
come known