Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-21

PASSED WORTHLESS CHECKS


Fooled Banking House and Jewel
ry Firm With Smooth Talk.
No clue to the identity OF the man who
is wanted TO answer cha. yss OF Eavir. &
obtained $3.00O worth Of 3 per cent United
States coupon bonds from the banking
firm o. Crane. Paris & Co.. in the Wyatt
building, and a Northumberland fifty dol
lar three-stone diamond ring from the
firm OF Gait & Bro, 1107 Pennsylvania
avenue, two days ago, has been obtained
by the police.
Inspector Boardman and members Of
the detective force regard the work as
one of the boldeSt cases of sWindliny they
have been called on to investigate. In
PRODUCING himself at both business es-
Establishments as Lieut.. Commander Henry
Knowlson. U. s. N, and displaying init
nected with it, the man had no trouble
gaining the confidence of those whom he
consulted
The bonds and jewelry were obtained
because he made such an excellent ap-
pearance. and because the papers pur-
porting to be certified checks seemed gen
uine. There was nothing about the con-
duct of the bogus naval officer or the
appearance of his checks. his victims
say, to arouse the slightest suspicion,
and surprise was expressed yesterday
afternoon when word came from finan-
cial institutions in Newport News, Va,
that the checks were worthless.
Police Notify Other Cities.
Shortly after Inspector Boardman was
advised Of the return Of the checks as
worthless he sent to New York, Phil
adeiphia and other cities the following
message:
Notify all banks and brokers to look
out four NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. three per
cent L. S. coupon bonds, numbered 166-
3O4. 1663O5. 166S06. 166307. and two num-
bered 1929 and 16629O. secured yes
terday am. by means Of forged cashier 8
check on Powell Trust Company, New
port, News, Va, by Henry Knowlson.
''Knowlson is thirty-hve or forty years
old. five feet ten. and weighs 100 pounds:
dark. healthy complexion, dark hair and
eyes, small black mustache. blue sack
suit. soft drab hat. small light society
button in lapel Of coat, neat appearance;
represents himself as lieutenant COM
mond ring clamp setting
/ The first heard OF the stranger in this
city was Saturday. when he called the
banking firm over the telephone and said
he wanted to purchase 5000 worth OF
bonds. He represented himself as being
Lieut. Commander Henry Knowlson, said
he was temporarily in charge Of the
bureau Of supplies Navy Department, and
did not want to take so large an amount
Of cash on a European trip with him.
Gets the Bonds.
Monday the supposed naval officer was
on hand to negotiate the purchase of the
bonds. He explained that his cash was
deposited with the Powell Trust Com
pany of Newport News. Va. He returned
Wednesday, presented tho certified check
and was given the six bonds. He put
the bonds in is pocket. his manner in
dicating that he had been in the habit
Of figuring in such transactions, and
walked out.
When he called at the jewelry store
and introduced himself he said he want
ed to purchase diamond ring. After
three-stone ring worth $3.50. He would
pay for the ring with certified check.
he stated explaining that the check
would be received by registered letter
Wednesday,, He promised to have the
check sent to the firm. and he was there
about the time the registered letter was
delivered.
The police have not yet ascertained
who sent the letter with the check from
Newport News, but it Is believed that it
was sent by confederate, and that the
latter was not far away when the two
transactions were engaged in.
There is no officer in the navy named
Knowlson the police have learned. nor is
Uh jc
thing like 1t.
Detectives Hewlett and Baur were de-
tailed by Inspector Boardman to inves-
tigate the case: They believe the man
bonds and jewelry. A circular is being
prepared by the police department to be
sent broadcast. 1t will contain a de-
scription of the swindler, the numbers
tain the offer of reward for his ar
rest.
Firms First Loss.
This weeks loss is its first in the
twenty-seven years since Crane, Par
ris & Co. was organized.
I'VE could have kept the loss to our
selves" stated Mr.. Paris to a Star re-
porter this morning. but we thought.
as a matter Of business. that the pub
lie and other banks should know Of a
circumstance Of this kind. and we re-
ported 1t within one hour of the time
we knew the check was worthless"
Mr.. Paris explained that the trans
action was not one that was consum-
mated in a few minutes, but followed
conferences which began four days be-
fore the bonds were delivered. When
he was called Saturday over the tele-
phone, he said. he was told that the
man at the other end Of the wire was
a naval officer and that he was soon
to go with the European squadron to
the Mediterranean.
He asked If Mr.. Paris could supply the
bonds he wanted. The latter said he did
not have them on hand. but that he could
probably get them in New York. Mon
day morning. Mr.. Paris stated. the Gus
toner called. asked the price OF the bonds
and said he wanted the amount stated ex-
actly. He asked that the bonds be ready
for delivery Wednesday. Mr. Paris said
because he was going to Indian Head
that afternoon to finish up some matters
pertaining to his trip to the Mediterra-
mean and would return Wednesday morn
ing. During their conversation. Mr.. Paris
said. he exhibited two Official envelopes
bearing his assumed name. They talked
about persons in the navy and the stran-
ger displayed such a knowledge Of men
Mr.. Paris knew that the latter did not