The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-04

RECORDERS
SEAL
Serious Charge Brought Against
Attorney Blair Of St. Louis.
Indicted by Grand Jury.

St Louis, Dec. 4-James l.. Blair, the
attorney. has been indicated by the grand
jury on the charge OF forgery I'm the first
degree. The Indictment was returned yes
terday afternoon. Blair was formerly
the general counsel OF the Worlds Fair
| in the hospital
The Indictment is the result OF charges
filed by James T. Roberts an attorney
at one time employed in Blair's law
office Roberts. who had become familiar
with Blalrs private affairs, secured GER
tain paper and records. on which he after
ward based his charges that Blair was
juggling the finances OF the large estates
committed 10 his trust. That was more
than three years ago
The story. however did not become pub
lic until the present grand jury began
an investigation. Then Roberts, follow
Ing his appearance before that body, pub
hc.s' charged, among other things. that
Blair had forged deeds OF trust and mort
cages on which 900 was obtained from
the estate OF the late Peter Blow OF ST.
Louis, and that he conterfeited and used
the notarial seals OF the recorder OF deeds
of st. Louis and frequently employed
Walter r. Jenkins" purely fictitious
Blair characterized Roberts accusa-
tion as tissue OF falsshood woven
around a few grains OF fact" Blair acted
as a sort OF fiscal and investment agent
for the firm OF Dick Brothers OF Phila-
delphia and New York, of which Evans r.
Dick. a relative. Is the head In the Blow
estate he was co-trustee with Edward s.
Roberts
GAVE $4,000 BONDS
The grand jury requested the Dicks,
their attorney, George r. Graham and
others to come to st. Louis TO testify,
but the communication was ignored. The
grand jury deliberated over the Blair
case several weeks Bankers merchants
and others thought to have a knowledge
OF the case were summoned.
Owing TO his reported serious illness
Blair was removed from his home to a
hospital one month ago. Varying re-
ports of his condition have been given
from time to time to the public IL was
at first stated at the hospital that Blair
was rapidly declining and that his death |
was question OF only a short time. Fol- |
lowing this came the information that
the patient was on the verge OF insanity. |
He is now reported to have almost fully |
recovered.
A bench warrant will be issued for
Blairs arrest and ne will be required
to give bond.
Blair gave bond In the sum OF $4,000
early this evening to answer TO the two
indictments against him. Blair drove 10
the Circuit court In a closed carriage,
accompanied by Judge James A. Sedden,
his former law partner; John r. Lee,
close personal friend. and Attorney II. T.
Kent, and was received in Chambers by
Judge Taylor Less than Is minutes was
spent in arranging the bond.
Mr.. Blair was evidently I'm great pain.
He walked with crutches and was as
sisted by Judge Sedden and Mr. Lee
Nothing was said outside OF matters per-
tanning to the bond, and as soon as the
bond was accepted, Mr. Blair, Judge Sed-
den, Mr.. Lee and Attorney Kent returned
to their carriage and Immediately drove
back to the hospital
No statement of any kind was made by
Mr. Blair and all the gentlemen accom-
panying him declined to say anything.