The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-28
A. j. SIMPSON In COURT
HIS PRELIMINARY TRIAL on A
CHARGE OF FORGERY.
No Evidence by the De-
Tense and Simpson Is Bound
over in Bond of $4,000.

The preliminary trial Of Arthur J. Simp-
son. formerly a bookkeeper for Warman,
Black. Chamberlain & Co, at the Union
S~tockyards. was held in Police Court yes
terday and took up most Of the time Of the
court.
He was arrested a few days ago on a
warrant sworn out by EnOch Warman,
charging the forgery of a draft for $4,6SS.4O.
Yesterday two additional affidavits of the
same character were filed against him be-
cause of alleged subsequent discoveries by
the experts making examinations of the
books of the firm.
John S. Duncan represented the State
and the firm. He said there were other
such forgeries which could be attributed TO
Simpson. and that it would be shown that
there was a shortage of about $4,000. and
that it was believed there was a shortage
of a great deal more. but that the books
were in such a tangled condition that as yet
it was impossible to make anything like an
accurate statement.
Several books Of the firm were introduced,
and it was stated that the ledger, one of
the most important, was missing.
The draft which it is claimed Simpson
forged was upon ]. b. Stoffel. a horse buyer
at Charleston, S. c. Another of the same
amount was made first upon B. ]. Smiley,
but this name was evidently scratched out
and that of Stoffel substituted. Both of
these drafts were deposited for collection
at the bank and credit given TO the firm,
each being later returned and charged TO
the firm account, as were the collection and
protest fees. There was another draft for
a smaller amount shown, it being claimed
that this had been charged upon the firms
books but not deposited in the bank.
LETTER INTRODUCED.
The following portion of a letter writ
ten by Simpson to StOffel was introduced
to show the alleged irregularity of Simp-
/ sons dealings:
II don't know what was the matter with
me unless l was on your account and |
drew a draft on you instead OF IL. n. Nell
son. L don't know what to do, only TO send
you a check and have you take II up. l
got check signed without any Questions be
ing asked. and l want YOU TO keep the
mistake quiet. ! don't want any one TO
know it. for L have made two or three dur
ing the last month, and IL looks like care
less work. | drew a draft to-day on the
right party"
NJ. d. Butler. of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, showed the Following
copies of kilograms sent and received by
simpson:
y. b.. Stofel: VIII you take up draft,
az We just got word II wasn't paid?'
The answer from Stoffel reads:
NO. Sent check back. Don't understand
your movements in the matter"
1t was claimed by the firm that it had
no dealings with Stoffel after November
and none with H. n. Nelson during the last
six months, and the letters and kilograms
bore the date Of December. Other drafts
which it was claimed were forged in De-
cember were:
Dec. %. drawn by L. NJ Brown and pay
able TO p. II. Sandlin. ValdOsta, Ga,
60 100 E0. na0 % 6ra Uvp nv r A Sf1nlpV
and payable to william Stanley. Rutledge,
Ala. $3.50, and Jan. Z, 1902, drawn by M.
B.. Morgan and payable to William Burnett,
Springfield. Mass. $4.355.
no business with any of the men mentioned
during the last few years.
During the afternoon most of the time
was taken up with the testimony of clerks
from the Fletcher Bank, where the drafts
had been deposited, and Ross Hill. tie ac-
%cOuntant employed to make an examination
into the accounts of Simpson. Mr.. Hill
read from memorandum made from thu
rors in additions and entries, ranging from
$40 to $4,000. some of which were in favor
of and some against MIR. simpson as re-
CARDS his relations with the firm.
During the discrimination of the
members of the firm John w: Kern. the
defendants lawyer. brought out the state
mentS that there was nothing whatever TO
show that the firm had lost a cent through
Simpson. that he bad a cent of their mon
ey, or that they could tell of one instance
III Dl0 liz Adh OAAA ~ NAC 0A0AN
which it is claimed he forged.
ATTITUDE OF DEFENSE
The defense introduced no evidence what.
ever and allowed the case to go to the
grand jury without argument or protest.
Judge Stubs in commenting upon the case
said in the absence of any explanation of
the irregularities shown in the books he
must consider that they were not mistakes,
but intents to deceive. but for what purpose
he said he could not determine.
The defense declines to make any state
ments regarding the manner in which the
case will be fought if an indictment is re-
turned. 1t is thought. however, that an eff
fort will be made to show that the is
Suance of drafts drawn by 'men of straw
OF men of straw" is quite common in the
horse and stock business, dealers making
such drafts for the purpose of protecting
draft, upon which interest would have to be
paid. 1t is said that in such cases the protest
fees are much less than the interest. 1t will
also be shown, 1t is said. that the errors in
the cash book are such as might easily
occur during a rush of business. and il will
further be shown that Simpson was
crowded for time, and frequently when
confused would sit down and wait for a
crowd of buyers and sellers TO go away be-
fore going on with his work. An effort will
be made TO show that his duties were such
that, although a competent bookkeeper.
he did not have sufficient time to do his
work carefully and without interruption.
One of Simpsons friends intimated yester-
Gay that evidence OF a surprising nature
would be brought out If the case came
again into court. II is thought by Simpson
and his friends that no Indictment will be
fixed the total bond at $4,000. and this was
furnished by D. A. Chenoweth. who fur
nished the bond at the time of Simpsons
arrest.