Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-03
Gray Haired Stranger Passes
Forged Paper at D. c. Viii
bur Store For S215
RECEIVES PART IN CASH
Check Drawn on LasaIe, ILL.,, Bank
Signed by A. 3. Warris, Passed by
Stranger Who Endorsed Name of
James smith-Tells Smooth Story of
Intentions.

\ successful forgery, involving a
check for $2l5 on the LaSalle State
Bank, of I-asalle, ILL.,, ives unearthed IN
this city this morning thru Chicago
bank. While the amount lost by ID. 6.
Wilbur, who eashed the bogus paper,
Will only be $l5 the holiness and
smooth cunning of the forger who
| signed the names of James Smith,
stamps him as q dangerous man to be
at large. The check, Which was drawn
on the Illinois bank bore the signature
lof A. B. Warrig, and was indorsed by
Smith TO Mr.. Wilbur in payment Of
goods purchased OF uhe latter A tele-
phone message from Chicago this
morning stated the paper WAS for
gerry, as the LaSalle bank carried no
such account Mr.. Wilbur secured the
goods, part of which lpe mad already de-
llivered TO the address left by the
stranger.
The man Smith visited the Wilbur
store on Wednesday evening, shortly
before closing TIME, and after spending
purchases, presented the check for s2i5.
The goods bought amounted TO $500,
and he was given the balance III cash.
Nothing was thought Of the matter un-
II Friday, Is part OF the furniture had
already been delivered 20 the address
gi.en. 3DI South First street On that
day Nh. Wilbur attempted to call the
residence number, intending to tell
them that owing 10 the rain he would
no, send down the balance of the fur
niture until today. He could raise no
one. and thought il peculiar at the
time but judged the family was not at
ZONE.
Tells Smooth Story.
Smith, who is a man about 90 years
OF age, told smooth story, and was so
affable and easy to please in his pur-
chases that Mr. Wilbur was wholly de-
ceived. He pretended 10 be y Great
Western engineer who had accepted a
position with the road here. and would
have charge of a switch engine in the
local yards, altho he expected TO be
sent out on The road nov and then. He
said he had already rented the John
Rel property at 3o7 South First street
t.i.u
there, as his family would arrive on
Thursday evening. He seemed to have
money, and gave in change Il $40 bin
for the So handed him Ia order that he
might get the SD due him. He then
left the store and has not been seen
since.
Chicago Bank Discloses Forgery.
Mr. Wilbur deposited the check
Thursday with the City National Bank,
and 1t in turn forwarded ii to its cor
respondent the Commercial National
Bank OF Chicago. which in turn, sent
1t to the LaSale bank, on which it
was drawn. The latter refusing pay
ment, saying no such account was on
its books The notification TO the bank
here followed. The Chicago bank this
morning said that this check was but
one of several which had been forged
by apparently the same person on the |
I.aSalle State Bank in the past few
weeks.
Real Estate Agent Loser.
NJ. c. Doolittle who rented the Bell
home to Smith is also q loser to the |
of 81. his commission for the |
deal. Smith even went SO far as TO
sign a lease for the property, and Sc
cured the keys. II is said. to the lease |
he affixed the signature of T. j. Smith |
but this could not be verified.
Had Peculiarities. +
Smith is described as a man about |
60 to 65 years Of age, and is from
five feet, seven inches, to five feet,
ten inches in height. He would weigh |
about Ito pounds. wears d smooth
shaven face. His hair Is slightly gray.
He wore a dark gray suit of clothes and
a soft black hat In walking he limped
slightly. and carried one shoulder a
Irifie higher than the other. When
N conversation he habitually rubbed
the side OF his head with his finger
lips. He is q smooNl conversationalist
and very pleasant. The sheriff's Of
icers, who were notified as soon as the
matter was disclosed, have been max
ng every effort to locate him. but it
s not thought likely that he is still
N the city. Up to late this afternoon
40 trace Of him had been found.