The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-01-28
Reputable Merchants Induced
to Draw His Checks
AND SIGN THEM FOR
THEIR CUSTOMER
He is Alleged to Have Succeeded in This
Manner in Securing Sum of
Money--He Was Released from
: the Penitentiary Only Short
Time Ago, and Bears
VeryBad Reputation

At ths instance Of Detective Captain
Tomllnson. Julian 7. Lane, who wns
only released from the penitentiary last
week on a habeas corpus proceeding
brought in the City Circuit Court, was
arrested yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock
by Patrolnan Folkes, OF the First Dis
trict, on two charges Of forgery. The
officers are confident of securing a con-
viction In each case, although Lane
stoutly denies all knowledge OF either
OF tho crimes which have been laid at
his door.
The arrest Of Lane. who since his re-
lease seems to have been operating under
the alias OF J. I. Lowry, divulges one OF
the most remarkable criminal operations
with which the local police have ever
had anything to do. the cunningy clever
work OF the man being an absolute mar
vel, the like OF which has never before
happened in this city.
FORGERY CHARGED.
Desplta that Lane can neither read nor
write, 1t is alleged that he perpetrated
ono OF the smoothest forseries lima gina
ble by which two up-to-date, twentieth
century busiaess men were duped. one
after tho other. It is further claimed
that this man. who mas for the past sew
en- or eight years been confined within
the dreary walls OF the State penlten-
StiiSSStSo
which he used one firm as a tool to as
slst him In robbing another.
When the siount OF money derived by
Lane Is known. one is lead to believe that
the game was not worth the candle, hut
the officer attributed the size Of sw!ndle
to the fact that Lane during his long
confinement was led to regard one PEN
ny as the average man would look upon
q dollar. Money to the amount OF $40
1ooSe6 1iro, by a ey.copyict
small fortune.
While yet clothed In the garb furnished
by tho penitentinry officials at the ex-
pense Of the State and while his former
! fellow prisoners were envying the good
luck OF Lane and probably wondering how
he was enjoying his long g-sousht liberty.
the man. 1t 10 charged. was involving
| himself. alone but assisted, in crooked
| operation. which promises to send him
once more to the prison, in the event
| conviction Is secured.
WON THEIR CONFIDENCE.
| According to police statements, yester-
day Lane had succeeded in actually
swindling orc It. j. King G. COM
pany. OF No. asst Marshall Street
the amount L, s only STOP. But the
workings OF the operation, the manner
In which Lane played one firm against
the other. winning the confidence OF the
|
| tale than 1t does the truth
| Last Saturday Lane appeared at the
branch store OF the King Company on
Ea st Marshall Street. He saw the man
| ager. Mr.. r. E. Bruce, to whom he stated
| that he had been married only q few
days and was desirous of purchasing a
cooking range for his better half. Hs
had also promised his wife new lamp
and several cooking utensils. all OF which
ln vie aH "a paf r,,ie as e-i1, Ia
without putting the firm to any great
Inconvenience.
| Mr.. Bruce showed Lane several stoves
and the man finally settled upon ono
| worth about SIT. He was In no haste
to close the trade. however. and several
! times attempted to get small reduc-
tion for ca sh. This being denied him.
Lane set about buying the utensils and
| the promised lamp. 1t required nearly
| an hour to suit the desire of the man.
aller which in tho most straightforward
manner imaginable he told the salesman
| that he lived at Hanover Courthouse and
would want the goods shipped there.
TO CASH A CHECK.
Lane informed Mr.. Bruce that he would
| have to get a check cashed before paying
| for the goods, and would return later In
| the day. There was nothing strange In
| this, and Mr. Bruce thought no more OF
| the AFFAIR, having tho stove and other
| purchases laid aside preparatory to
| shipping them on Monday following.
| While in the store the man spoke OF sew
| eral prominent people at Hanover Court
! house with whom he was acquainted.
] this line OF converse tion impressing Mr..
Bruce that he was dealing with a WELL
known citizen.
Leaving the Marshall Street house.
| Lane sauntered around to the hardware
store OF Mr.. Fl. Clay Lynn. No. 400
| Brook Avenue. He found the proprietor
and told practically the same story to
| him as he had previously related TO Mr..
| Bruce. lie wanted stove for his wife
| and few cooking utensils
In tho sasna u,sthodical manner Lane
| searched the house from one end to the
other In the hope OF finding a stove that
! would suit Mrs. Lowry. he having in
| trodnced himself by that name, claiming
this time to live In Ashland Finally tho
range was selected. as was the lamp and
one or two other trivials. the entire bill
| amounting TO SIT
Lane then said that he WISHED the
! goods hhlppad TO Ashland on Monday,
but would pay for them at once. He
asked for check on the First National
| Bank, but as there was none IN the
| house, Mr Lynn changed a National
| Bank of Virginia check, turning it over
| to Lane TO fll out
SIGNED IT FOR HIM.
The tx-couv!ct said he could not write,