The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-20

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After Plante had received the money
from the bank and assured that the
sight draft would be forwarded to Den
Yer, he went to the home of his fiancee
lie expressed his intention of making
a visit to Denver in order that he might
purchase some clothing for the we'd
ding. He invited his intended brother
-in-law, Clarence .Cochrane, to accom-
pany him on the trip
The invitation was accepted and the
two arrived in Denver early. Prepara-
lions were then begun by Plante to
execute his plan to secure the money.
Cochrane went about the city with
Plante and upconsciously assisted him
in every way to procure the money.
From what can be learned of the
movements of the pair after their ar
rival in Denver, they went to the tele-
graph office at the Union depot. Plante
penciled the following telegram and
sent to the bank in the Equitable build
ing:
ITO First National Bank. Denver, Col
Let Geo. A. Plante check on US for
$4,000. G. E. WOODHOUSE
Sharon State Bank, Kan"
Plante then went to the First. Ma
tional bank and asked whether there
was any money to his credit. He was
informed there was not. He then in
quired whether the bank officers had
received telegram from the Sharon
bank, requesting them to honor sight
10 word had been received.
Suspected by Cashier.
Assistant Cashier c. S. Haughwout
with whom he had been conversing,
told him that the telegram had not
been received, but If he would return
he probably would receive his money.
Be fore an hour had passed the two
returned to the bank In the mean
while the bogus telegram, which was
sent by Plante had been received and
recognized as being a forgery. When
they entered the bank for the second
time the two met Assistant Cashier J.
c. Huston. He had not been informed
of the matter. it is said, and suggest
ed, after hearing Plante's story of hav-
ing a credit of $1,500 to his name in
the bank, that he send a draft to the
Sharon bank.
Plapte secured a blank draft and
started to fill it tout. In one place the
amount desired read, $1,000. In an
other place the amount was placed at
fifty hundred. In his ignorance he made
out the draft SO that he was drawing
on, himself to pay the sum to the CASH
Ter of the Sharon bank. The name of
G. E. Woodhouse. the cashier of the
Sharon bank, was forged at the bottom
of the draft.
Tore Up Drafts Which He Had Drawn
. Plante was ushered into the office of
Vice President Thomas Keely, and after
talking with that official for a few min
utes. realized that his attempt to secure
the money had failed and he was in
danger of arrest. He seized the draft,
which he had filed out and tore it in
bits.
Detectives J. r. Mcdonald and T. E.
Waters, employed by the bank, then
placed Plante and Cochrane under ar
rest. They were taken to the police
station where a confession was made
by Plante- He was taken to Jail while
Coehrane was released.
P1ante claims he was ignorant Of the
crime which he. committed. He claims
that he has proof that the money was
to be sent him, but can give no reason
for his numerous forgeries. That the
money is forthcoming, is the belief of
the chief and other officials who inves-
tigated the matter.
'"They will have to pay for putting me
in this JAIL said Plante. IT have
money back of me and it will be spent
to punish the ones responsible for my
arrest I have done nothing which
would warrant them placing me in jail.
Father told me he would send me
the money and that it would be in the
Denver bank not later than the first of
next year. have letter in Sharon
which will back up that statement
Plante does not seem to take the
shoulders. He seems confident he will
While being interviewed by the chief
should he be placed behind the prison