The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-12
RETURN OF A
NOTED FORGER
Becker, Released From San
Quentin, VIII Reside In Brooklyn
WILL LEAD AN HONEST LIFE
Report That Bankers Association VIII Pay
Him $500 q Month to Refrain From
Further Grimes.
WILL LEAD AN HONEST LIFE

New York, Oct. l2.-Charles Becker.
who has pust finished five years term
In the California state prison at San
Quentin. is expected at his home No. III
Bradford street. Brooklyn, today.
Becker used TO be a great fayorte
among New York singing societies, and
to give him a hearty welcome. His faith
full wife, through whose efforts he op-
tained new trial when sentenced for
life, has made elaborate arrangements
for his home coming.
Becker says he intends TO lead an hon
est life. He will embark In the manu-
lecture OF paper, writing upon which
cannot be altered without detection. He
patented the process while In prison.
Becker was convicted for raising a $l2
draft on a San Francisco bank TO $22 600.
He was sentenced about seven years ago
TO life Imprisonment. A second trial was
granted becouse OF new evidence and the
jury disagreed. On the third trial Jos.
Creegan. known among his craft as Jim
the Penman," turned states evidence. He
was sentenced to three years and a half
and Becker TO eight years Imprisonment.
which. through good behavior, has result
y
HUNTING AND FISHING.
In prison Becker never did days
work. His wife sent SIS weekly for his
keeping. Much OF his time was occupied
in shooting and fishing, he having the
freedom of the prison grounds.
Although 90 years of age Becker looks
much younger. Previous TO this last i'm
prisonment, he served six years in the
King County penitentiary for counter
feiting. He was arrested in his counter
feiting den in the cupola of a house at
the corner OF Cypress avenue. now Cres-
cent street and Fulton, East New York.
The complete counterfeiter's parapher-
MALTA was captured in the cupola.
Not alone I'm this country is Becker
known and feared. Thirty years ago, af-
ire having robbed the Third National
bank Of Baltimore, Becker made tour
OF Europe with band of able assistants
and left weeping bankers in London,
Paris, Frankfort. Hamburg, Berlin, Vien-
ma, Smyrna, Constantinople and every
other city OF Importance on the continent.
All languages looked alike to Becker
when he was altering checks and he did
It 30 cleverly that his work was not dis
covered until the banks checked up with
one another
II was Becker who forced the Ameri-
can Bankers association in 1894 to adopt
the protective feature OF their organlza-
tion and employ detectives 10 run down
professional criminals. who preyed on
their members. Up to that time he had
comparatively easy time OF II. for
he surrounded himself with so many
safeguards. that Ii was practically i'm
possible 10 connect him directly with any
OF the crimes.
Becker was always accompanied by
band of crooks, who could be relied on
TO adhere 20 the maxim OF honor among
thieves and while he was ever ready TO
desert them. as he did many times they
seldom failed 10 protect him.
THEIR METHOD.
The method or the gang was TO buy
drafts for small sums and raise them
10 thousands OF dollars. Becker altered
the drafts. In removing the writings
with acids. restoring the delicate tints
10 safety paper and writing in thenew
amounts. his equal has never lived. When
the amount OF the draft was perforated
in the paper he would All in the per-
forations with paper pulp. press IL out
with hot irons, and perforate in the