The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-12
LAWYER ACCUSED OF FORGERY.
Prominent IN His Profession. In Society
and IN the Church.


ROCHESTER,, N. Y. Jan. III. Fahy
Galligan. a young lawyer Of splendid family
connections, Ia under arrest charged with
forgery In the second degree. Most OF
the details OF the case have been sedu-
lously kept from the public, and h enews-
papers have been besieeed by dozens OF
Galligan's relatives and former associates
who implored them to let up on him, saying
that II tho press would keep quiet the
whole thing could DO settled up. When
the case was up In police court last Monday
Magistrate Chadsey said that he desired
the prosecutions case to be presented,
as he didn't wish to be a party to COM
pounding a felony. An adjournment was
ordered until next Tuesday.
Talk with various lawyers OF the city
who are conversant with the methods
used by Galligan shows that the young
man had developed into a second Jim
the Penman.' His forgeries were 30
cleverly executed that they almost defed
detection. When the news Of the young
mans arrest was given out many banks
where he had discounted notes took the
notes out and examined them. Much
relieved in mind to think, from their ex-
animation. that the notes were all right,
they replaced them. Then more startling
rumors were spread around. n banker
took a second look at the notes TO see that
they had not been mistaken on the first
examination. Not until they had brought
tho strongest magnifying glasses 10 bear
did they detect that they had forged paper
on their lands. The work had clearly
been executed by an adept In the business.
The genuine letters and figures had to be
erased and others substituted In their
place.
Then the full extent Of G~alligan's crime
was discovered. 1t was found that he had
q complete outfit for raising promissory
notes. His kit comprised acids for re-
moving the ink marks from the notes, and
a preparation which, when used. would
restore the paper to It's original smooth
ness and sllay all suspicion. Galligan
was a splendid penman, and this aided him
In his work.
It was ove a year g that the news
papers were made acquainted with the
details Of a crooked transaction on CALI
gan's part. and II was only on the strenuous
Representations of some Of the leading
ton of the facts was withheld. Galligan.
through his connection with the Matthews
estate, had absorbed about $1,000 that
didn't belong TO him, n he was called
upon to make Il good or submit to arrest
He settled, with the assistance Of a WELL
known Catholic priest of this city.
On the 4th inst. a warrant for Galligan's
arrest was sworn out at Police HeadQuar-
ters. The information charged tina CALI
gan had raised a ninety-fve-dollar note
TO sie5 after he had secured the indorse-
ment of Amsden Brothers, bankers. and
that he had the note cashed AT the Traders
Bank. Bail was ready and he was released.
Amsden Bros. discovered that the
young lawyer had treated all the notes
which came to them with marked impair
TALLY. The one on which the arrest was
made was one OF three Endorsed by John
b. Kiley, another Rochester attorney, as
an accommodation. Galligan had re-
auested sir. Kiley TO split up an original
note for a larger sum into three smaller
ones TO make il easy for him to pay them
After getting kiley's endorsement,
Galligan is said 10 have raised each OF the
notes 500, putting In a figure -one' In the
proper place and altering the other parts
TO suit. One OF these was what brought
about the arrest. A. lawyer conversant
with the facts says that an inventory by
lmsden Bros. has shown them TO be losers
20 the extent Of 81. 600 by the forgeries.
Here il another instance of the way the
Amsdens were mulcted Galligan got a
friend, il Is said. 70 indorse a note for $500
which he presented to the Amsden bank
and got them 70 become surety. Then no
was told To AXE IL 10 the Traders Bank
and get II cashed. Nv his secret process
Galligan raised the note TO $500, and In that
form presented it 20 the Traders Rank.
People in this CITY point at Gallgan.s
prominance in church. society and In his
profession, and wonder that he had 20
steal. II Il limited that there ~ a woman
in the case. but the more probable reason
Is that he went beyond his depth in snecu-
lation. II Il known that he spent consider
allie time In one OF the many broferage
- -. Il, Dn1haesar and most Of his mnTpN
Is said 20 nave vanished owe the ticker.
His legal ability marked him a. a leader
the Young 'aNyer- OF the cry.
He graduated from an Faster college,
and u a member Of the Theta Delta Chi
fraternity and OF the Union Club. the ex-
-,...a ~ ora,pfgat ION 81 the cit v.