Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-13
CHARGED WITH FORGING
CHECKS ON DEAD ACCOUNT
Fugitive Just Twenty-One; Father
Is Heartbroken.
THEFTS BEGAN LAST SUMNER
Seven Thousand Filched at One
Time-Police Issue Descriptive
Circulars - Bonding Com
panies Offer Reward.

Charged with stealing $sOGo. John Ward
StIrgis, formerly employed as bOokkeeper
by the National Safe Deposit, Savings and
Trust Company, at 18th street and New
York avenue. is being hunted by the police
A warrant, based on one item Of $3.50. has
been issued for his arrest. on complaint
of Police Inspector Boardman. who made
a personal investigation Of the young
mans affairs.
This afternoon a circular was issued by
the police department for the arrest of the
fugitive.
Police Issue Circular.
The circular reads:
'Sturgis is twenty-one years old docks
older), five feet eleven inches tall. well
built, fair complexion. blue or gray eyes,
very red hair. combed pompadour: wears
nose glasses; slightly stoop shouidereo'
neat dresser; greatly interested in canoes,
motorboats, motorcycles (all Of which he
has owned). cunning and fishing.
He is a bookkeeper by occupation. but
will likely seek employment in the engi-
neering or surveying department OF some
railroad or other corporation-so ex-
nressed himself to friends before leaving
the city.
"Sturgis left here August n. and IL
known to have spent several weeks at
the Mastigouche Cunning and Fishing
Club of St. Gabriel de Brandon. Quebec,
Canada, and the 18th or 18th ultimo was
in New York city; is well supplied with
money. and will put up at first-class
hotels.
Reward of $500 offered.
"rhe United States Fidelity and Guaranty
rornanv of Baltimore, Nd. and the Ma
tional Security Company OF New 1ork
CITY Jointly offer a reward OF SoUV 1or the
arrest and delivery of Sturgis to TINS de-
nartment. said reward to expire SIX
months from date"
The circular also contains a sample
Of the young mans handwriting IN tne
shane of a message received from MIN
hv his father after he went to Canaoa'
This mart of the circular reads:
.I have secured a place on the sur
vev,np and engineering staff Of the Chi
capo and Northwestern Railway Com
many. which will be far preferable to
bank clerking.
Sturgis lived with his father. John
r. Sturgis. a proofreader In the gov
ernment printing Office. at 1914 FLORIDA
avenue northeast, and was memoer
of the Y M. c. A. and Interested IN
church work. 1t is alleged that his
method of stealing was to forge names
of depositors and draw on dead ac-
counts.
And the sad part Of the affair."" said
v;u,am u. Hoover, second vice presi-
dent and trust officer Of the company
interested. 'is that his peculations COM
menced last summer shortly before the
death of his mother.
Took 81, 600 at One Time.
Mr.. Hoover said today that $1,000 Of
the sS.065 was taken in a lump just
before August q. when Sturgis left to
enjoy his annual vacation. He had
been in the employ Of the institution
since February. 1907, and seemed to
have exemplary habits. He was fine
looking fellow, said Mr.. Hoover. and
his connections were such that there
was never the slightest reason for sus-
necting him Of wrongdoing.
It was not until some time after the
departure Of Sturgis that bank officials
detected evidences of his misconduct and
started the investigation which ended in
the police being called in. sturgis was in
with his father. writing
him from New York and Canada. and In
one letter he requested that his father
notify his employers that he would not
return to his desk. as he had obtained a
better position with the railroad COM
pany.
The young mans father is heartbroken
over the affair. He is trying to ascertain
definitely where his son now is, In order
that he may urge him to return and face
his accusers.
Trust Company Will Not Lose.
1t was explained by Mr.. Hoover this
afternoon that the bank will lose nothing.
as sturgis was bonded by the United
states Fidelity and Guaranty Company OF
CONTINUED on Second Page.)