The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-22
HEAR STORY OF
L A N NiNG'S
DOWNF ALI.
Disgraced Former Post
master of FIorham Park
Brought to This City.

George M. Lanning, former post
master of Florham Park, who is serv-
ing seven-year term in State prison
for forgery, was brought to this city
today to be examined in bankruptcy,
and with tears streaming down his
cheeks he told of his operations that
made him a criminal in stripes, after
having been a respected citizen in his
home town.
The examination this morning was
before Atwood L. DeCoster, referee in
bankruptcy, and the prisoner was
brought to this city from Trenton on
an order from Judge Lanning shat he
appear In the proceedings of the banks
in regard TO the checks the former
postmaster passed as borough paper
and which were forgeries and resulted
in the Imprisonment of Lanning.
The examination of the convicted
man was by Assistant United States
District Attorney H. A. Lindabury,
counsel for Edward A. Quayle, of Nor
ristown, trustee of a bankrupt estate,
and Kinsley Twining for the Bernards-
Vile National Bank
With the tears streaming down his
face and his sadly emaciated frame
shaken with sobs the former leading
citizen of Florham Park admitted under
fire that his forgeries amounted to
$65, 900 and that he had operated since
the time of his marriage in 1876 He
shiyered when he was asked what he
had done with the money, and with a
pitiful quaver In his voice said, Gentle
man, that is sad story, and do not
want to speak of it, For thirty-two
years l have been guilty man, and
my little store did not suffice to keep
me-"
When asked why he did not leave the
town il he could not make living the
prisoner replied that years ago he had
made a promise to remain at Alton as
long as his father and mother remained
alive.
Lanning said that his first false step was
taken thirty years ago, when he discounted
a note for Silt on the National Bank of
Morristown. He added that the note was
a personal one, but that the Endorsements
were not right He said that he had been
issuing false borough paper for the last
twenty-five years. Under examination, he
admitted that he found ii easy TO get the
money from the banks in this way. and
issued the notes frequently.
II used one hand to wash the other
was the statement that was finally wrung
from the man under examination IN re-
gard to what he had done with the thou
sands he is said to have obtained He
supplemented this by saying that he used
the money received on one note to pay
another. and with a gesture OF despair
added. THAT life was living hell"
Ten years ago. he stated, he had specu-
lated In Wall Street but has done no stock
roll f,. Il. eofA !.
lost about $4,000 on the street." and after
to tell through what broker he
dealt. though he was put through a grilling
list of questions. Breaking down again he
exclaimed 'Oh, II was my poor dead
G. S. Goldberg who was
innocent of any crime. J would give him
the money and he would speculate for me"
He added that his brother-in-law was
dead for the last eight years. and since his
death he had NOT rislSed any money on the
'stre ct"
In naTating his story as to the methods
employed by him to make notes, Lanning
weepingly acknowledged that he did not
select anyone In particular when tempted 4
to raise money, but forged the names of
those Of his friends whom he thought Of
first.
He said that the last year he was in
business he cleared $1,000 and with this he |
paid off $1,000. With the remainder he
helped to keep himself and family. He
was asked by Mr.. Lindabruy what other
notes, If any he manufactured and OBJ
aimed money on. but aside from naming
Two citizens of Wordham Park the wit
less's memory failed him. When he left /
he witness stand he seemed relieved.
Former friends Of the former post
master who were at the hearing were sur
orised at the great change wrought on the
)ne-time respected citizen, and many there
we're who delared that the former post +
master would never live to serve out his {
Lannng was sentenced TO State Prison
,nly six months ago but he has failed
apidly.
WILL MAKE LOTS OF SMOKE.