Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-29
CALLS FRIEND FORGER.
Dr.. Marshall D. Ewell, Handwriting Ex-
pert, Causes Arrest of Grant
Newell

CHICAGO, Ill, Sept. 23.-Years of
leniency for a friend who had betrayed
trust ended abruptly yesterday when
Marshall D. Ewell, handwriting expert
and former president of the Chicago
Kent College of Law, announced that
Grant Newell, an attorney and faculty
member of the same college, had per-
petrated a second betrayal of trust in
committing forgery. Newell was arrest
ed and his friend of many years was the
complainant. The first offense, for which
the arrest was made, was committed III
1890
By coincidence, DR.. Ewell, who is
one of the recognized authorities in the
country, was called upon to decide the
validity of a signature on a trust deed
sold by Newell His alleged discovery
that the signature was a forgery and
that Newell was responsible for it
caused him to question the pleas and
penitence Of the friend who, he alleges,
gwindled him out of $1,000.
Charge Denied by Newell.
Mr.. Newell is 40 years old and resides
ut $500 Beacon street a member of the
Chicago bar for many years, he has
lectured for years in the Kent college,
also acting as clerk in the Offices of
ex-Judge Russell NJ. Wing. Mr.. Newell
denies the forgery charges, and says the
trouble has arisen over a debt he owes
Ewell.
In obtaining the warrants before JUS
tice Shelton, DR.. Ewell said Newell APP
pealed to him in 1890 for $1,000 to re
place a like amount intrusted to him for
investment. The money was given him,
and as security, DIR. Ewell says. he re-
ceived q trust deed and recorders GER
tifcate bearing the signatures of the
county recorder and an official of the
Title and Trust company.
An accompanying abstract bore the
signature Of James 4. Sanders, said to
be a mythical name. Some time later
DR.. EWell had occasion to examine the
papers, and he says he found they were
forgeries. The abstract is said to have
been a copy of one on file in the record
er's office, in which the transfers Of the
property were traced from the date of
the government grant until 1898. This
and promissory note made payable to
"James A. Sanders" which was the final
name on the abstract, were given TO
Ewem as security.
Action Delayed Many Years.
When examination proved the papers
worthless DR.. Ewell is said to have aC-
cused his friend of forgery. Then, he
declares, Newell confessed and begged
10 be protected from prosecution, prom
Using to pay the amount as soon as pos
BibIe. Former friendship influenced DR..
Ewell, he asserted, and for years lie
took no action in the matter.
A trust deed for the same piece of
property covered by the original abstract
Is said to have been given i'll 1898 to
Clarence Palladium as security on a
loan. On the back of the instrument Il
recorders certificate was filled out. A
combination of circumstances caused the
holder to submit it to DR.. Swell last
week to determine its genuineness.
Satisfied that second forgery had
been committed, DR.. Ewell declares, he
questioned Newell and later caused his
arrest on two charges of forgery. The
prisoner was released on bonds of $1,000.
The preliminary hearing will be in the
court of Iustice Sheldon September 26.