Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-27
JAIL CELL FOR
VICTIM OF LOVE
0VERZEAL0US SWAIN MUST
FACE FORGERY CHARGE
BERT KLElER, SON OF coVINA
RANCHER, IN JAIL
Police Declare That He Has Admitted
Forgery of Checks to Buy
JeWelry for His
Wife

An overzealous sweetheart's desire
to please his affianced has resulted
in landing Bert Kleier, son of q
wealthy Covina rancher, behind prison
bars with charge of forgery beside
his name on the police blotter and also
the loss of his bride of two days, the
person for whom it is alleged the
young man Strayed from the straight
and narrow path.
Young Kleier, tired of ranch life,
came to Los Angeles and obtained en-
ployment as motorman in the en-
ploy of the Pacific Electric company,
but before he left he obtained the
promise of Miss Leola Erwin, a comely
Covina maiden, to become his bride,
when Kleier had prospered sufficiently
to make a home for two.
The meager wages which he earned
he did not deem sufficient to embark
on the sea of matrimony and he felt
that his scanty savings were not large
enough to provide a suitable wedding
ring, the necessary trousseau and other
incidentals for proper marriage.
Cupid Caused Trouble
His desire to make Miss Erwin his
bride was strong and after receiving
assurances of an early marriage ne is
said to have formed a plan of forging
checks in order to raise the money.
August 20 a young man entered the
jewelry store of Brock & Feagans and
asked to see some wedding rings. lie
selected handsome diamond solitaire
ring valued at $3.50 and in payment
gave a check for $3.50, signed u. c.
Walters"
AS the man wore the uniform of the
Pacific Electric company, no suspicion
was aroused and the check was ac-
cepted in payment for the ring.
1t is also said a check for 500 with
which stylish clothing was purchased
was passed by the same young man
at the store of Mullen & Bluett. Kleler,
who IS said to be the young man, sent
for Miss Erwin and bought her a
handsome trousseau at the New YORK
store, in payment of which another
check was given.
Miss Erwin became Mrs. Kleier the
next day, Saturday, August Il ana,
after drawing his pay at the PACING
Electric building, the happy BRIDE
groom and his unconscious bride went
on a wedding tour to the old home
in Covina.
Wheels of Law Moving
The wheels Of the law were soon In
motion and suspicion at once turned
to Kleier when the checks were found
TO he fOrger1eS. MONDAY MIS- hlSiCA'
a bride of two days, learned Of her
husbands actions and, returning to
him the ring and trosseau, left her
husband.
Detective Jones, after quiet investi-
cation, went to Covina, where Kleler
was found and arrested, Wednesday,
and lodged in the Los Angeles police
station Wednesday night. It was not
until yesterday that the reason Tor
Kleier's forgeries were brought 10
light and he frankly confessed to ms
wrongdoing and also the fact that MS
bride had Indignantly left him as soon
as she learned of his actions.
Kleier was arraigned before Police
Judge Williams yesterday morning on
the specific charge of having passed
a valueless check on the firm of BROCK
&, Feagans. His preliminary hearing
was set for August 80 and bail fixed IN
the sum of $500.
Guilt Is Admitted
At police headquarters yesterday ar
ternoon Kleier admitted his guilt and
expressed sorrow for his doings. but
especially at the loss of his wife. 1t
Is said that Kleier's father Is
wealthy man, and the son expects that
he will come to his rescue and attempt
to arrange a satisfactory financial set
tlement with those who lost by the
checks.