The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-10-30
SOCIAL LEADER
UNDER A CLOUD
Runners Affecting James L. Blair,
Of St. Louis, Take Form.
SEVERE SHOCK TO HIS FRIENDS
k~me Honorcd In Missouri Now
Coupled With Oncnses which,
IL Substantiatcd. Will
Prove Its lndoinG.


fecting the probity OF james l. Bar,
former law partner of Judge James A.
Seldom. former police commissioner
and former general counsel for the
Worlds fair company. These rumors
have been persistently denied BY the
friends OF the gentleman named, and
one new spaper publisher who had the
temerity 10 publish them by inn-ndo
was threatened with prosecution for
criminal libel.
The story revealed almost staggers
belief involving. as it docs, forgerles'
embezzlcment and breaches OF trust
covering about $500 900. much OF when
has been dissipa.cd in paying iaterest
on forged notes, premiums on enor-
nous life insurance policies and ex-
travagant living
The Globe Democrat gives the fol-
lowing synopsis OF story that taxes
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 10
have secured hundreds of thousands OF
dollars by inducing Philadelphia bank
ers 10 accept bogus deeds OF trust as
genuine. or by misappropriating trust
funds was narrated in detail TO the DC
tober grand jury yesterday. Among the
allegaticss against him were the ut
tering OF forged notes and certincates
of title. the issuing of bogus deeds OF
trust. and the embezzlement OF funds
by trustee
The aggregate amount of his al
legged crooked dealings was given as
s4Os. 800. OF this amount, $4,000 was
said to have been taken by him from
Dick Bros 4 Co. bankers. of Philadel-
phia Pa. for whom he acted as loan
agent. and So 800 is alleged TO have
been taken from the Blow trust estate,
for whom he acted as trustee.
In both instances Mr.. Blair Is saic
to have confessed and TO have offered
TO make restitution
His operations are said to have ex-
tended over a period Of about ten
wears. and at time when he was TAX
ing 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 mex
pressibly shocked when the news was
conveyed to them that they were losers
thereby. IL was hard for mem 10 be-
lieve that they had been mistaken in
MIR Blair. yet they we're furnished with
evidence to substantiate the charges
and were forced to admit the awful
reality.
THE story OF Mr. Blair's career for
the past ten years. as related TO the
Globe Democrat and 10 the grand jury,
Is n revelation which will seen almost
beyond belief TO many who have known
him and his reputation during thai
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 emplo,
of Mr.. Blair in the latter's office.
mir. Roberts was before the inquisa
torial body five hours. II required tina
length Of time to hear the details o
his story That the jurors were inter
ested is evidenced by the fact that the
held him so long. not even adjourninI
for lunch.
The story was highly dramatic
When the Dick brothers were first toll
of the alleged orookedness Of Mr.. BlaI
who is their relative. they absolutel
declined TO believe Il. Roberts said
Proof. il il said. was shown them. an
then one Of them hurried 10 St. Lou
with a Philadelphia lawyer TO ascel
tain what he could relative to III
startling charges.
Evans II Dick. the story Is toll
confronted Mr. Blair In his Office an
accused him. whereupon. it is elaine
Blair readily confessed in the presen'
Of Dicks attorney. and promised
make restitution and lead better lif
TIE attorney. II is alleged. desired
prosecute. but the client. the man WI
is said 10 have suffered the heavy los
declared that he would give the a
cusod an opportunity to redeem hi
self.
BLOW Estate Matter.
n CCnrulnE 10 toDeiAS rNotst -,
bert wadsworth. husband Of Mrs. Ms
tha Blow Wadswc-:h one Of he Der
friar.cs of the Blow trust estate. hi
r,.i across the country from New 10
in response TO q message that II "
suspected that Mr.. Blair. as co-trus
OF the estate. had dlssipated sccurit
amounting TO more than $4,000
Mr.. Wadsworsh. too, Is Said 10 hs
confronted MIR Blair with accusatit
that he had abused the trIst impo'
in him, and again. IL is said, Nr. III
admitted the facts and pleaded fol
chance to repay the amount of the
legged embezzlernent.
In telling the story, Attorney Robe
omitted rome Of the retails. lie
earthed the evidence. II Is claimed. I
resulted In Mr.. Blair b, ing dropped
the aren't here FOR Dick Bros.
ard which forced him 70 resign as
trustee Of the Blow trust estate. the