The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-13
TW[LVF.Y[AR.OLD boy
COMMITS FORGERY
Father Cannot Control Him and
Asks Court to Send Him to
State Training School.

Although but twelve years of age,
Turner 0. Stark, colored boy, is prob
ably one of the cleverest forgers that
has appeared before a st. Paul judge in
years. The boy was brought into Judge
Finehout's court yesterday afternoon
by his father, who stated that he could
do nothing with him, and at his re-
quest his son was ordered sent to the
state training school.
HE is way past me; have whipped
him, lectured him and threatened him,
but can't do anything with him. Now,
l wish, judge, you would send him
somewhere where he will have to obey"
said Turner S. Stark, father of the boy,
who is employed as a porter by the
| Great Northern Railway company
For the past year, the father stated.
the boy has been forging orders for all
manner of things, and some of these
purported to be signed by his father
He has secured guns, knives, cameras
and clothes of all kinds.
FORCES His Fathers Name.
A week ago last Saturday he took his
fathers bank book from a bureau
drawer and went to the State Savings
bank. He told Cashier Willius that his
father wanted $40 and presented the
book. The cashier refused to give him
the money but gave him an order, tell
ing him that he should have his father
sign it and he could then secure the
money. The boy returned few min
utes later with the order signed in
pencil.
Once more the cashier refused to give
him the money, telling him that he
must have his father sign it in ink in
order to have it honored. The boy
was not yet frustrated, but, securing a
new order, left the bank and returned
shortly with it signed in ink.
The signature seemed to be that of
Mr.. Stark and the order for $40 was
honored. The boy took the money and
left the bank.
He went to Aliens livery stable,
| where his father is known, and stated
that his father had sent him for a
| horse and buggy. He paid the livery
bill and then spent the day driving
about the city. After returning the
horse, the boy took home the 81 which
he had left.
Last Saturday he appeared at the
livery barn again with an order bear
ing what appeared to be his fathers
signature and asked for horse and
| buggy. He was given one, and after
collecting a half dozen of his play
| mates, he drove them to Minnehaha
Falls and all over Minneapolis. He re-
turned the horse in a jaded condition
late that night
Father Decides to Ask Official Aid.
AS the horse was in bad condition
Sunday, Allen went to the boys home
to secure compensation from his father
for damages. He found that Stark was
in Portland, Or, and that the order
| was forgery He threatened to have
the boy arrested, but upon the mothers
plea decided to await the return of the
father, who arrived yesterday. When
Stark was informed of the boys latest
| offense he decided to place him in the
hands of the court. II hated to have to
do it," said Stark, "but 1 guess it is
| the only way to make a good boy out
| of him."
The boy is an intelligent looking little
| fellow, with dark. swapping eyes. He
| has been an unusually bright student
! at school and is an able penman for
one of his years. The forgeries of his
| fathers signature were nearly perfect.
The boy took his fate very stoically
and had little to say to any one as he
| was led from the court room.