The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-11
NOTED LAWYER ACCUSED
/. L, Blair, Counsel For Worlds Fair,
Charged With EmbczzIing'
FORGED NOTES FOR $4OO,OOO

Faces Serious Charges-Son OF the Noted
Missouri General Falls in = Fit and
Collapses While Making Emphatic
Denial-Ons-Tilne Employe in Role OF
Accuser.
st. Louis, Mo. Overwhelmed by
charges that have been laid before the
Grand Jury, naming him as forger,
an embezzler, a robber of his relatives
and a man who has led double life
of startling depravity, Attorney James
L. Blair. one Of the most prominent
men Of st. Louis. fell unconscious and
frothing ut the mouth while talking to
reporters, in q most serious state OF
collapse.
Judge" Blair, as he is known. was
until recently counsel for and direc-
tor of the Worlds Fair, and one of The
that national enterprise. Rumors af-
fecting his integrity caused him to re-
sign, but not until revelations OF his
alleged enormous thefts we're nade
public.
The story of Blair's alleged Jekyl
and Hyde existence was told TO the
Grand Jury by James r. Roberts. who
was forrerly a confidential associate
of Blair. In the long list Of charges
are assertions that Blair had victim
lied Dick Brothers & Co., bankers. Of
Philadelphia, his relatives. to the ex-
tent of $340,000, and that he had sto-
len $63, 900 from the funds Of the Blow
estate.
The startling accusations against
Blair have caused q tremendous sensa-
ton in st. Louis. where he was regard
ed as a man of the highest Integrity
and lofty purpose. He was the idol Of
q certain reform element and a favor
ite lecturer befor, Y. M. G. A. meet
ings, his favorite subject being "Busi-
ness Integrity" The charges made be-
fore the Grand Jury recite that while
Blair was making these lectures he
was planning deeds Of trust, embeZ-
zling trust funds. robbing his friends
and rela atives and breaking promises to
reform.
Blair has always been one of the
most strenuous fighters for the better
ment Of municipal conditions. He
raised fund of SIS, 900 to aid Circuit
Attorney Folk in his Doodle prosecu-
tions. His wife is President Of the
Board of Lady Managers Of the
Worlds Fair. President Of the Morning
Choral and the Women's Club, and 9TH
erwise a social and musical leader:
They have lived for several years in an
elaborate house at Kirkwood, suburb
and have entertained extensively.
Roberts says that he first discovered
Irregularities in Blair's business
through an account of about $1,000
with Miss Blanchard. a client Of Dick
Brothers & Co., in Philadelphia.
Roberts says that his first opportu-
nifty to investigate other branches Of
business transacted for the Dick firm
came when. in q search for other pa
pers in Blair's safe. bundle Of envel-
opes came into his possession. The en-
velopes. Roberts declares, bore the
names Of persons supposed to. have
borrowed money from Dick Brothers
& Co. In the envelopes, he says. he
found cancelled interest notes, portions
of certificates Of title and correspond
ence.
Investigat ton convinced Roberts. he
declared. that the loans were fictitious.
the certificates Of title spurious and
the notarial and Recorders seal forged.
1t is stated that the embezzlements
have been going on for ten years. and
that the money was used to pay inter-
est on forged notes. premiums on life
insurance policies and for extravagant
living.
Mr.. Blair is the son Of the J." Frank
P. Blair. one of the creates. d. lost
highly honored citizens Missouri ever
produced. His public work has always
appeared to be Of the highest charac-'
ter. In the political reformations
which nave been going on in st. Louis
be was an important figure.