The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-04-17
FELL|NT0LAW' sNE7
John Graham Is Charged With
Passing Bad Checks.
FORGERY LAID AT HIS DOOR
Handed "Phony" Paper to Two Busi-
men, Then TarrIed Too Long in
Town, Captured.
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
A stranger who gives his name as
John Graham, and his home as Milwau-
kee, is in the tolls of the law as the
result of a piece of criminal folly com
mitted Saturday evening. He says that
he had been working for John c. Nc
Namara. three and half miles east
of MapletOn, all last week, and when
paid off he came to Mankato Saturday
forenoon on the train. He says that
he brought nearly SIS in money with
him, but got to drinking, and does not
know what became of it.
Common Laborer; Looks the PART
Graham, who is a man fortv-f
years old, says that he is common
laborer, and looks the part, and does
not appear to be a professional crook.
He claims that he was drinking with
man that he did not know, i'm a sa-
loon Saturday afternoon, and this man
asked him where he had been working
and seemed to know the place. He says
that an hour later this man produced
checks which he asked him (Graham) to
90 out and get cashed. Graham says
that he does not remember whether the
man told him to meet him at the
union depot later or whether they were
to meet anywhere, and he does not
remember whether the proceeds of the
checks were to be divided or not He
claims to have been too drunk to re-
member much that was said.
Produced Bad Check.
At any rate Graham undertook the
job, and started in at $3.50 o'clock in
the evening, first visiting J. B. & d.
Richards store. John Johnson, a clerk
waited upon him, and sold him some
underwear to the amount of $l.55. Ora
ham walked up to David Richards and
rendered him check for $22.50, asking
to have it cashed, as he had no money
with him. He said that he had work.
ed for Mr.. Mcnamara, and had been
paid by check. He observed that he
had worked hard for the money. The
check was drawn in favor of ezra
ham Moore" but the fact that the en-
dorsement on the back resembled the
handwriting on the face did not attract
Mr.. Richards attention at the NOM
ent. He thought the man an honest
workman, and cashed the check, hand
ing out $20.95 in cash.
Took Second Look
As soon as the man had left the
store, Mr.. Richards took second look
as the check. and then became suspi-
cious. He called up J. Fl. Thro of the
First National bank and learned that
Mr.. Mcnamara had no account at the
bank j. B. Richards returned from
supper and a few moments later, and
he took the matter up with Chief Os-
ten, and a search was instituted for
Graham.
Played Second Came
After leaving the Richards store,
Graham crossed the street to Nyquist
& Iversons's and left the package re-
turning a few moments later, as he
had said he would purchase some shirts
overhalls, etc, all footing up to 1926.
William Deyling waited upon him and
he presented check for $l4.50, drawn
on the First National bank of Man
kato, in favor of Thomas Moore, and
to be signed by John C.
Mcnamara, but dated April 10, 1898.
Mr.. Deyling declined to cash the
check, but suggested that the man pay
for the goods in cash as he seemed
to have plenty. This Graham did, and
the two packages were wrapped up
into one bundle. Graham wanted to
treat Mr.. Deyling and Paul Iverson,
who had come in, and seemed to be
a liberal spender
Arrested About Nine O'clock.
At about nine o'clock Graham was
arrested as he came out of the Mint
saloon. He had 1850 in money the
package, and the second check. He
did not seem to be drunk, but had
been drinking. He later wrote out an
order upon the police, directing that
purchased of J. b. & ID. Richards tol
that firm to liquidate the check. David
Richards states that this is the first
time in twenty years that the hrm
has been caught on a forged check.
but feels fortunate to have caught the
man. and to have recovered most OF
the money and goods.
Bound Over to Grand Jury.
This forenoon Graham was arraigned
before Judge Comstock on warrant
charging forgery in the second degree
He waived an examination and was
bound over to the grand jury. As the
punishment can be as high as seven
wears in the penetentiary it was not IN
the jurisdiction of the court to Tx
the bail. Neither can the prisoner go
before the district court and ask for an
immediate sentence for the same rea-