New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-13
CALLS 1T CLEVER THEFT
Bookkeeper Charged zcith Defraud-
ing COmpany-Wfe Makes Scene.

Charles Z. Forbes. twenty years old.
head bookkeeper for three years past in the Of
fee OF the G. W. Cole Company. varnish man
ufacturers. at No. al Broadway, was arrested
yesterday afternoon on complaint of J. Noah
II. Slee. Of No. 1S5 West End-ave. treasurer of
the company, on a charge of forgery Forbes's
arrest was directly due TO his attempts to de-
post three checks sent to the company by Gus
toners or which he had forged the treasurer's
Endorsement 70 his own account in the Corn
Exchange Bank, at Broadway and Sixteenth
St, just before the close of banking hours yes
terday noon. These checks aggregated about
$3.50, but Mr.. See says that he is unable now
10 say what the gross amount of Forbes's pee
ulations may have been Forbes himself ad-
mitted when accused of the forgeries after his
arrest that he guilty, but said that he had
not taken more than S1.0Oo.
According 10 Mr.. Slices investigation, supple
mented by Forbes's own admissions, the book
keeper appropriated the funds of the firm in an
ingenious but simple manner. His plan. Mr..
Slee says. was 10 take the checks from the
company's mail, credit them as if they were
received. forge the treasurer's signature as in
dorsement, and then deposit them TO his own
account. He has had account with the
Corn Exchange Bank for the last seven months
and in that time. the officers of the bank say.
has deposited less than $500 Mr.. Slice
does not yet know how much of this represents
money taken from the firm. but Forbes says
that only $1,000 was the company's money.
Yesterday, it is said by the treasurer Forbes
appeared early at the office and took from the
mail three checks for S;i -. $9T fl and $12I -,
respectively, which had been sent the
pany by customers pay for merchandise.
These he indorsed with Mr.. Slee's signature.
and just before the closing hour at noon went
10 the Corn Exchange Bank and deposited them
10 his account. Within the last week the as
sistant manager Of the Corn Exchange Bank.
who examines checks deposited in this way,
and with whom Forbes has had previously to
deal, has resigned, and official was in the
bank when the bOokkeeper went there yester-
day. The cashier took the checks without
ment and allowed Forbes TO depart, but after
ward showed them TO Walter L. Frew, vice
president Of the bank Mr.. Frew thought il
advisable call up Mr.. See by telephone and
tell him OF the circumstance FIR. Slee went TO
the bank Immediately, and when he the
Endorsements he declared them to be forgeries
at once With Mr.. Frew he returned TO his Of
fee and accused Forbes of the forgery. After
telling several conflicting stories. Forbes finally
admitted forging the Endorsements on the three
checks, and said that he had stolen $1,000 from
the company in this way.
Forbes is said 10 occupy a handsomely fur
nished suite of apartments at No. 4oS Seventh
St. Brooklyn, near Prospect Park. His wife
sent for after his arrest. and she reached Mr..
Slee's Office before her husband had been taken
10 the station. She is a woman Of striking ap-
pearance and fashionbly dressed. and wore much
jeWelry. She broke down when told of Forbes's
arrest. and wept inconsolably, but she declared
that she knew nothing Of her husbands bust
ness affairs. and although he spent great deal
Of money on her, she didn't know where il came
from.