Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-09
STOPS PAYMENT GIN A CHECK
Maker Alleges that He signed Il to
Avoid Having His Throat
Cut.

HUMBOLDT. Neb.. March s.--(special.)-
Considerable excitement was caused in this
city yesterday afternoon among the crowd
Of customers in tine First National bank
when q farmer stepped up to the ~teiler's
window and handed In a check for 500,
sha maker OF the cheek. who had accom-
panied him into the building. called to
the cashier not to pay the check for the
reason that II had been obtained under
dur ess. stating that the holder Of the pa
per had threatened to take his life II the
check we're not forthcoming and had en-
forced his demands with a knife. Tho man
accused Of the offense wac at once taken
In charge by the ofhcers on a charge Of
drunkenness and locked up until q definite
plan Of prosecution has been arranged.
The story az told by DR.. J.. l. Candy,
who gave the check, Is as follows: For the
past season one Of the Doctors farms near
this city has been leased by Fred Renter.
a middle -aged farmer, end the doctor. not
being thoroughly satisfied with him as a
tenant had arranged to have the place oc-
cupied BY another party for the coming
season. To this end he notified Renter sew
erai months ago to look ELSEWHERE for a
farm, but this the latter failed to do. ana
when the arst Of March came was still In
possession Of the Candy farm. After
vainly endeavoring to persuade the farmer
to vaeate, Candy sought the aid Of a local
firm Of attorneys IND after much delay
Renter agreed to vacate for the sum OF
$50, and to this the owner agreed, the
money to be paid after possession had been
given. Things seemed to be all satisfac-
tory until this afternoon. when the farmer.
having vacated, came into town for his
money. This was paid by the attorneys and
q receipt given, the farmer departing ap-
p~arently satisfied with his bargain. Later,
after having niled up on liq-ior, he dropped
into the ONCE OF the doctor and finding him
alone demanded 800 more. stating that he
had been caused considerable trouble, and
the doctor. being a man Of wealth, could
easily afford to spare the amount. The
latter protested that the proceedings were
unusual, awhen the farmer drew a danger
Gus looking knife and remarked that he
meant business, and II the doctor did not
sit down and at once write him out a
check he would cut his throat. Seeing that
the man was hah crazy and doubtless meant
every word he said. the threatened man
thought It best to adopt eonciliatory meas
ures and drew up and signed the cheek az
directed, handing It over to the farmer, In
tending to stop payment By Telephone,
Renter. however, feared something Of this
kind and taking Candy by the arm gave
him TO understand that he was to accom-
pany him to the bank and see that the
check Was paid. Arriving at the bank door
the doctor again attempted to slude the
viaiiant captor and notify the bank presi-
dent. but the farmer baked his design By
mutteriag to him that he had better star
outside the railing. However. there be-
ing several other parties In the room, Candy
made the facts known as stated above and
not only saved his coin. but escaped injury
as well. Renter. when drinking, IL gen
orally recognized as q dangerous character
and it is claimed the assault was the sec
ond one for the day.