The Monticellonian., 1903-10-29
SOCIAL LEADER
 UNDER A CLOUD
The Smouldering Rumors Affecting James L. Blair, of St. Louis,
 Burst Into Flame.
THE STORY OF HIS WRONCDOING
 4 SEVERE SHOCK TO HIS FRIENDS.
A Name Hon0red in Missouri Is Now Coupled With Ofenses Which, If substantinted, VIII Prove One of the Hardest social Shocks Ever Felt in St. Louis.

St. Louis. Oct. 25.-For the past few weeks rumors have been current -af fecting the probity of James L. Blair former law partner of Judge James A Seddon, former police commissioner and former general counsel for the Worlds fair company. These rumors have been consistently denied by the friends of the gentleman named, and one newspaper publisher who had the temerity to publish them by inu-nde was threatened with prosecution for criminal libel
 The story revealed almost staggers belief, involving. as it does, forgeries, embczzlement and breaches of trust covering about $400 900, much of which has been dissipatcd in paying interest on forged notes, premiums on enor- nous life insurance policies and eX- travagant living.
 The GlObe-Democrat gives the fol- lowing synopsis of d story that takes up the greater portion of two pages of that journal
 The history of James l.. Blair's methods in the handling of trust funds and the story of how he is alleged tC have secured hundreds of thousands Of dollars by inducing Philadelphia bank CTS to accept bogus deeds of trust as genuine, or by misapprepriating trust funds was narrated in detail to the Oc- tober grand jury yesterday Among the allegations against him were the ut tering of forged notes and certificates Of title, the issuing of bogus deeds of trust. and the emBezz1ement of funds by trustee.
 The aggregate amount of his al leged crooked dealings was given as $403,300 Of this amount. s340. 900 was said to have been taken by him from Dick Bros. & Go. bankers. of Phiiadel- phia. Pa, for whom he acted as loan agent. and s63, 300 Is alleged to have been taken from the Blow trust estate for whom he acted as trustee
 In both instances Alr Blair is said to have confessed and to have offered to make restitution.
 His operations are said to have ex- tended over period of about ten years, and at a time when he was talk ing a prominent part in demanding re- forms of various kinds. Those whom he is alleged to have wronged placed the utmost confidence in his integrity They had chosen him because of his reputation for honesty. and were inex- presSibly shocked when the news was conveyed to them that they were losers thereby. It was hard for .hem to be- lieve that they had been mistaken in Mir Blair, yet they were furnished with evidence to substantiate the charges, and were forced to admit the awful reality.
 The story of MT. Blair's career fer the past ten years. as related to the GlobeDemocrat and to the grand jury, Is a revelation which will seen almost beyond belief to many who have known him and his reputation during that period.
 The man who appeared before the grand jury with what were declared to be facts concerning Mr Blair was Attorney James T. Roberts. who has an office in the Odd Fellows building, and who was formerly in the employ of MT Blair in the latter's Gfflee
 MT Roberts was before the inqulsa- torial body five hours. IL required that length of time to hear the details of his story. That the jurors were 1T ter ested is evidenced by the fact that they held him so long not even adjourning for lunch.
 The story was highly dramatic When the Dick brothers were first told of the alleged crookedness of MT. Blair, who is their relative. they absolutely declined to believe it, Roberts said Proof it is said, was shown them, and . then one of them hurried to St. Louis with Philadelphia lawyer to ascer- tain what he could relative to the startling charges.
 Evans R. Dick. the story is told, confronted MT Blair in his office and accused him. whereupon. it is claimed, Blair readily confessed. in the presence of Dicks attorney. and promised to make restitution and lead better life The attorney, it is alleged. desired to prosecute, but the client, the man who Is said to have suffered the heavy loss, declared that he would give the ac- eused an opportunity to redeem him. self