Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-04
BOGUS CHEQUE.
Stranger Passes Worthless
Paper at Hotel North.
Proprietor Boynton Gets Onto Fac'
Also Gets the Man.
Who Is Na5hed at Augusta, in His
Flight for the West.

A warrant was sworn out at the
municipal court, Wednesday after
noon. by Geo. w. Roynton. proprietor
of Hotel North, against one II. E.
Johnson. charging him with evading
payment of board at the hotel.
Tuesday. The story of the case, as
told by Mr.. Boynton to a Journal re-
porter, is rs follows: Monday evening,
a man came to the house and took Il
room, registering as II. 3. Johnson.
In signing his residence. the writing
was scrauvled and illegible, but some
what resembled the word Kentucky"
On coming down stairs, in the morn
ing, Johnson appeared to be in IL some
what daZed condition, and complained
of feeling ILL., DR.. Friend was called,
and to him the man said that he had
made Il mistake and had taken the
wrong medicine. but on examination
the doctor found him to be suffering
from an overdose of morphine.
AS the day advanced. Johnson i'm
proved in condition, and eventually
worked off the effects OF the drug, and
on leaving tile house at night. got Mr..
BOynton to cash for him Il personal
cheque for Sio on the Peoples Banl,
of Hnrrisville, West Virginia. john
son then took train % for Waterville.
without paying his board bill. going,
it is said. to the Bay View hotel.
Not satisfied With the paper. and
mistrustillg that all was not right, Mr..
Boyntun teiegraphed the bank on
which the cheque WAS drawn, yester-
lay morning. a..G learned that it was
worthless. On receiving a reply from
The bank. he sWOre out the warrant
and placed it in the hands Of City
Marshal Brcen.
1t was learned that Joi;:son had lcf.
Waterville, yesterday, fer Bangor anf
Marshal Breen at once communicated
with Chief Bowen of the Bangor po-
lice, giving Il description of Johnson.
While the Bangor officers We're look
ing for Johnson he WAS at the Bangor
House. and happened to overhear in
Iuiries regarding him. Accordingly
he Left the hotel. and succeeded in get
ing out of the city On train =.
On the same train was a travelling
man named Marks, who knew John
son, and who also had heard that he
was wanted in Augusta. Mr.. Marks
is friend of Mr.. Boynton, and re-
solved to aid him by keeping an eye
on the other man.
Learning that q man was going to
leave the train at Pittsfield. Mr. Marks
got him to telephone RI. Boynton fronn
that town, and upon receipt of the
message. Marshal Breen was notified.
That officer hal, Il number of his men
at the train. and Oh its arrival in Au-
gusta. Johnson was soon located in one
of the sleepers. and taken into custody.
He will be given hearing this morn
ing. on the charge given in the war
rant, and on another warrant which
will be issued charging him with forg-
cry. Johnson professed to be much
surprised at his arrest. and wanted to
know what it was all about. When
arrested he was travelling on 4 mile
age secured of q young man on the
train, on Il promise to pay at Bruins
wick.
It was a good job all around. On the
part of Mr.. BoyntOn and Marshal
Brecn. and also was 4 most friendly
act on the part of Mr.. Marks, who was
greatly instrumental in the capture of
the man wanted.
johnson is man of about 30 years
of age. ) feet or 10 inches in height,
slender in figure, and weighing about
leo rounds. He is Of dark complexion
and smooth shaven, and speaks with
Southern accent.