New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-16
CAUGHT BY CLEVER RUSE.
ALLEGED WOMAN FORGER.
Many Banks and Firms Fleeced, the
Police Charge.

Ito West Thirty eighth-st., who was arrested
for forgery and taken to Police Headquarters
last night, the police believe they have in Gus
tody one of the most remarkable criminals in
the country. They also believe that in her cap
ture has been brought to an end the deluge of
worthless checks which have rained down on
several prominent banks in the last few weeks
The arrest the elimination of some clever
detective work the part of Detective Ser
geants Peabody, McConvile and Clark three of
Inspector McClusky's trusted men. Peabody
was chiefly instrumental in the woman's cap
ture. and in Broadway she took off her hat and
made a profound bow to him when she learned
that he was detective.
The incidents leading up to Miss Parker's ar
rest began with the arrest Thursday by De-
tectives Armstrong and Butts, of the West Thir-
tieth-st. station, of two men, James Parker and
James Reed, in the store of Rogers, Peet & Co..
Broadway and Thirty second-st. They had pre-
scented a check in payment of some clothing
they had purchased which the firm thought sus-
picious. Police Headquarters were called up on
the telephone, and word was sent to the West
Thirtieth-st. station, whence Armstrong and
Butts were sent to make the arrest. The two
prisoners. were taken to Jefferson Market Po-
lice Court, where they were remanded back to
Police Headquarters on a short affidavit
For some time Inspector McClusky had been
the city that they were being deluged with
forged checks The forged signatures were so
perfectly done that in most instances the bank
officials did not know they were forgeries until
they had rendered statements to depositors, re-
turning the checks to them. Even then in some
cases depositors were hardly sure that the sig
natures were not their own
WILLING TO WAIT FOR GOODS.
One day last week man went to the jewelry
store of Schumann Brothers, of No 937 Broad
way, and selected pair of earrings valued at
$40. In payment he offered a check for $500 on
the Lincoln Bank purporting to be signed by
Alice Kauser, of NO l 1872 Broadway.
Nov, you don't know me-" said the man,
who gave his name as Parker 80 I will leave
the check with you for a day two. You can
put it through your bank in the regular
course, or can send it to the Lincoln Bank to
be certified. I'll come around in a day or two
and get the earrings and the balance of the
money"
When the check reached the bank however.
the officials who had been imposed on several
times called up Inspector McClusky and told
him they had forged check. The Inspector
detailed Detectives Peabody McConvilIe and
Clark to round up the man Parker. They
watched the jewelry store, and Friday
week ago a messenger boy came from Hoboken
with a note from Parker, saying he couldn't
come himself and requesting that the jewellers
send the earrings and the balance of the money
by messenger A dummy package was made up
and sent over by the boy, the detectives follow
ing. Parker however failed to meet the boy,
so the de .ectives missed him on that occasion.
When the check which had been presented
was looked over at Police Headquarters. the po-
lice came to the conclusion that it not the
work of either Parker or Reed, and they were
puzzled S to who had perpetrated the forgery.
While they were in this quandary the woman.
Mabel Parker, went to headquarters In
spector McClusky and asked that she might be
permitted to see Parker, saying she was his
wife. She said that her husband was i'll and
she wanted TO leave him some medicine When
she left headquarters Detective Sergeant Clark
traiIed her to No 10 West Thirty-eighth- st.
and found she living there under the name
of Mrs James E. Singerly.
DETECTIVES CLEVER RUsE.
On Friday Detective Sergeant Peabody went
to see Mrs. Singerly." He introduced himself
as a second story" man who had been taken up
ION suspicion" by the police on Thursday even
ing, and who had been locked up. at Police
Headquarters all night in the cell with
Parker When told that Parker i'll the
woman said she would take him some medicine.
When arrested a bottle containing morphine was
found the woman
Peabody invited the woman to go to luncheon.
Together they had a meal at a hotel and after
it was finished the invited Peabody to
go to her house with her. The detective ac-
cepted the invitation. After desultory
conversation, he says the Parker said:
Il like you Wouldn't you like to make some
money!"
Peabody agreed that he would. Then he says,
she said:
Now, Saturday is a bad day to do anything,
but bright and early Monday we will go
downtown to some of the big Office buildings.
We will go into an office, asking for someone,
and, watching our opportunity, will get some Of
the mail that is sure to be lying around. I also
know how to get into letter boxes. When we've
got the mail, it's more than likely there will be
some checks in it. When we have the checks I
can forge the names Another way we can
make money is to go to some store, buy some
thing and give $50 or a 500 bill in payment,
say can't wait for the change, and have the
goods and a check for the balance sent to us.
When have the check 1 can get a blank
check and forge the name which is on the
BRIDESMAIDS check"
The woman gave an exhibition OF very clever
forging Peabody says After some further con-
taurant with him. On the way she told MN
that she had $500 hidden in her stocking, ana
that if by chance they got into any trouble she
would pass II TO him. When they emerged from
the restaurant Detective Sergeant Clark, VINO
had been following them, arrested them both.
Peabody winked Clark, who gave the woman
which he says, she did. 1t was soon after this
that abody told her his real occupation. ana
that she took off her hat to him.
According 10 the police, Charles A. Keene
jeweuer in Broadway. near Maiden Lane, cashed
a forged check for $3.50 for the swindlers;
r H. Macy q co: accepted a pad .o check loI