The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-11-17
NEW AND ORIGINAL METHODS
USED BY CONVICTED CRIMINAL
By Means Of Electric Light and by
Placing Blank Paper Over Genuine
Signature, He Was Able to De.
ceive Even the Experts.

jail this morning after sleepless
night. 3
Van Vlissengen's confession, one of
the most remarkable in court annals,
preceded by only q few hours his
sentence by the court to an indeter-
inmate term of from one to fourteen
years in the penitentiary at Joliet.
Ordered from the midst of his bust
ness shortly after the noon hour yes
terday to appear at the states attor-
ney's Office, the real estate dealer
made full confession Of how for the
last eighteen years he had thrived on
the sale Of forged trust deeds and
notes. He said that more than twen-
ty-five people would suffer loss from
his Vaccinations. Telling how alone
In his Office he manufactured from
original and genuine notes, worthless
ones which could hardly be detected
by experts, he described his unique
forging scheme.
He had q plate glass top, he said.
30 arranged that by placing an elec-
trio light beneath he could readily
trace by the light thrown up through
a hole the signatures from the ori-
gtnals upon worthless paper.
Give me my punishment at once:
that's all ask" declared Van Wis
sengen when arraigned before Judge
Winds. The commitment of the pria-.
oner to the penttentdary followed in
less than four hours after his arrest.
AS soon as he arose today van. Wis
sengen inquired eagerly OF the sjailer
whether ~ sswUNla ~ taken 10 Joli6tE
at once.
II want to go Immediately; the
sooner this business ib settled the
better, said the prisoner, who showed
vistbly the nervous strain he had un-
dergone.
The rapidity with which the case,
was handled after the consultation
with the states attorney is shown by
the following:
1880 p. m.-Van Vlassingen, con-
fronted in his Office by detective and
asked to go to the states attorneys
Office in the criminal court building.
p. m.-Arrives at states attorneys
Office Ind after being told Of charges,
confesses.
3:15 p. m.-Grand jury, which had
been presented with evidence, returns
indictment.
4:15 p. m.-Prisoner brought before
Judge Windes and hearing begun.
p. m.-Sentence pronounced.
5:15 p. m.-Van Vlissingen locked
up in county Jail, preparatory to be-
ing taken to Joliet.
His Accounts.
All Of Van Vlissingen's accounts
were turned over to the Chicago Title
and Trlst company, pending an inves-
hgation of the exact extent Of the de-
falcations. Francis Lackener, coun-
sci for the complainants, said 1t would
be impossible for several days to make
complete list of those who will be
among the losers.
The notes on which Van vlissingen
was indicted were not due until 1911,
and 1t was believed that, as In many
previous instances, he intended to pay
them up before they could lead to dis
closures.
When confronted in his Office by the
detective Van Vlissingen made no ef-
fort to conceal the truth.
"Why am i wanted at the states
attorneys object" he asked.
because Of some charges Of for
gerry" replied the detective.
"Very WE'LL" replied the real estate
dealer, II am afraid the charges are
true"
He then put on his hat and coat and
followed the detective. In Mr.. Bar.
bour's Office he made full ocnfes-
sion and signed the following. 81.
Chicago, Nov. 16, 1908.
This is to certify that alone am
responsible for all the Irregularities
that have occurred, In my Office and
that no one In my employ or who
ever at any time was In my employ
has any. knowledge OF the irreguiari-
ties that have occurred at any time.
"(Signed)
Peter Van Vlissingen.' =
II want my punishment to come a.
quickly az possible" said Van Wis.
singer. II will interpose no techni-
cality against the indictment, arraign-
ment or sentence. Let the matter be-
attended to az quickly a. possible" J"
Under guard, Van Vlissingen was
then led to Judge Windes' court room
In another part Of the criminal court
building. Judge Windes was busy
with other cases at the time and the
prisoner, with the witnesses and At
torneys. had o;wait. The court, how
ever. soon disposed Of the cases and
Van Vlissingen was led TO tho bar.
Bowing his head and nervously shift
ing his feet, the prisoner frequently
lifted hin handkerchief to his eyes and
during tho silence while the Judge