The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-21
HEADED OFF$tO,0OO,OOO FRAUD
SETON. ". d ". FORGER, TOLD OF
PLOT TO TRAP RICH MEN.
He and His Associates. Colmey. Humphreys
and Smith. observation-disclosures Seton
Revealed Was a Stock Forgery Which
Would Have Staggered Community"

htNtdlPu we N otUCh EoTBCTs VIitt
Would Have Staggered Community"
Four members of the gang that took
par; in the forgery Of the Norfolk and
Western Railway stock certificates were
started for prison yesterday. In the pro-
ceedings before Recorder Cot before they
we're sentenced it was brought out that
10000 600 stock forgery was nipped
Just in time by the discovery of the Norfolk
and Western swindle.
If it hadn't been for the arrest of c.
Augustus Seton, said to be the head of the
Norfolk and Western forgery, the $40, 900 900
stock forgery might have gone through
and staggered the community" accord
ing to a statement made by Charles lie
Barber, Seton's lawyer.
Mr.. LIE Barber would not give any Of
the details of the $4,000, 900 forgery ex-
cent to say that some of the Norfolk and
Western gang were concerned in it with
others. Assistant District Attorney Gar
van, who had charge of the Norfolk and
Western investigation, refused to say any
thing about it.
1t is understood, however, that the names
Of some prominent men we're to be used
to float the scheme and that the intended
NlGIlIIlh Wtle IlCn IncH. " "dS cCIOH NV
gave the District Attorneys Office enough
information to start an investigation that
made the men behind the scheme drop it.
Seton was sem to Sing Sing tor eight
years. He was not sentenced forahis con-
nection with the Norfolk ana Western
sTindle, although he pleaded guilty to
forgery in the first degree. He got the
Galveston and lnterurban Railrsa d out
Of 1900. For this he was convicted be-
fore he made a confession of his Fart in
the Norfolk and Western forgery.
1t was explained in court yesterday
that three other men were being sought
some valuable information which had
been given out by Seton should be con-
sldered before sentence was. passed. Re-
corder Goff said he would defer sentence
on the Norfolk and Western forgery until
the investigation had been completed.
Col. T. {. Colmey of Nevada, sir. was
sentenced to seven years and six months,
CoImey is already under sentenc of four
year, and six months for selling a can
celled 81 900 bond Of the Hampstead and
Humphreys, who forged some OF the m
on the Norfolk and Western bonds, got six
years. Douglas z. Smith, who also COM
nItted forgery but is such a wreck that
he didn't know what he was doing, was sent
10 the penitentiary for a year.
II was a queer looking lot-Seton, Colmey,
Humphreys and Smith-that was arraigned
before Recorder Golf. They had been
standing W line with a fence, pick,
pockets and burglars. Seton took the head
He is a hoyish looking chap with a shrewd
lace, His wife, a blond young woman,
sat in the hack Of the courtroom.
Next TO Seton stood Colmey. His wife
and child we're in the courtroom. He is
: round faced, pudgy man, who made a
r i49q? SUI. lGF and 1%f tsgs snIs Attest ht thing &erf in a a asmSS
shirts. He glared at S%eton-they had just
had a squabble in the prison pen and
whispered to his counsel, Terence McManus.
Ihen came Humphreys, a ful, faced chap
Who looked like an overgrown boy. Smith,
almost deaf and looking like a wreck, stood
a. the end Of the line.
Mr.. NcManus made a short plea for
eolmey in which he called attention to the
iact that there were four years and six
TTa4e q long, speech in behalf Of Seton.
he said he had advised Seton to make a con-
lesion, and it was through him that the
sFindle was cleaned up +and confidence
IN he financial district" restored.
He has yet services to render" said Mr..
me other people here. Seton was the vic
YIN, There are two Others for whom the
Sistric' Attorney is looking. Seton is
eiptng find them. He is doing everything
sf 'sn to aid the State and county. He
Eonli have sta ggered the community.
Y vas a stock forgery Of SIC, 600, 200. He
ave he information on which it was
topped"
Ore Of the principal witness : against
loimev was Harry G. Thu mas, general
naeager Of the Hamilton Bank Note Com !
Esny, Seton in his confession said that
iIh9mas did considerable work for him,
iTpclldlng the printing OF the Norfolk and
Western bords. /