Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21
PASSED BAD CHECKS
EVERYBODY INTERESTED IN A
WINDY CITY MANS METHODS.
Special Dispatch to the Star.

Special Dispatch to the Star.
NEW YORK, October 2O.-Arthur c. Bah
bitt who described himself as a consult
Ing engineer, was arrested at the Hotel
Navarro tonight, charged with uttering a
number of forged checks on Capt. William
S. Wheeler, retired army officer Of GO
West 18th street. Police Inspector Nc
Laughlin. who arrested Babbitt at the in
stance OF the Pinkertons and the officials
OF the Mutual Bank at Broadway and 33d
street, said that Rabbits forgeries would
total nearly 100000
Just How Muchp
Inspector Mclaughlin said that Rabbits
bogus checks might have kept on going
into the Mutual Bank for some time If
he had not neglected to find out just how
much money Capt. Wheeler had in the
bank. The swindle was discovered when
Rabbit, who had gone to Philadelphia
with a party of friends IN an automobile
for a few days lark early this week, sent
a forged check for 5000 to the Second
National Bank, 100 Fifth avenue, in which
Rabbit opened an account last spring,
when, the police say, he started his whole
sale system of forgeries. The Second Ma
tfonal sent this check to the Mutual, and
when the cashier of that concern, Hugh N
kirkland. came to look into Capt.
Wheeler's account he found that there was
only 81 ECO left.
The mutual officials then became suspi-
cious Of all the checks that had come to
them from the Second National, and when
they found that Capt. Wheeler's account
had been rapidly vanishing since last March
through the same channel they notified
their lawyers, Stern & Rushmore Of 40
Wall street.
Eldon Bisbee, a member of the firm,
went to work on the case.
He learned that Rabbit had opened an
account with the Second National in
March by depositing a check for $780,
which was drawn on the Mutual payable
Of William H. Wheeler. When the check
was sent to the Mutual it was paid with
out question, and, according to the police,
Babbitt then grew holder, began spending
money freely and issuing bogus checks for
big sums on Capt. Wheeler's account when
ever his funds ran low.
The lawyer Immediately called in the
Pnkerton's. They traced Rabbit and a
party of friends to the Continental Hotel
Philadelphia. where they had gone to see
the Corbett- McGovern fight, which took
place Thursday night. The detectives re-
ported to Mr.. Bisbee that Rabbit and his
friends were coming back to New York
today. Inspector Mclaughlin was informed
of the whole case this afternoon, and,
learning that Rabbit had been staying at
the Hotel Navarro since last June went
there looking for him tonight with Detec-
tive Sergeant Youngs.
Rabbit didn't seem much surprised over
his arrest, the inspector said. Il guess the
jigs up, all right" the inspector says Bah
bitt told him. Il felt little bit squeamish
when / sent in that last 5000 check and
heard that Wheeler only had 1920 left
I've had a great time with the money
while it lasted, so there is no use worrying
about it."
After Rabbit had been taken to police
headquarters, where he was locked up he
confessed, Inspector Mclaughlin said. that
he had drawn nearly 10000 of Capt
Wheeler's money. He said he had spent all
he wanted to and had lost the rest in
Wall street and at the race tracks. He
said he had balance Of s145 in the Mutual
Bank