The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-24

His footsteps logged by detectives as
he fed from city to city in this country
and Canada. first tasting the spice of
high life. and then the dregs OF poverty,
John Ward Sturgis. twenty-one years
old. alleged defaulting bank clerk, well
known in Washington as sportsman,
for whom the police have been searching
for six months. was arrested IN New
Orleans last night,
Driven TO desperation. sturgis, when
arrested. confessed to his captors. the
police say, betraying an eagerness to
return TO his home city. stand trial for
his alleged defaleations. and face his ac-
cusers.
VIII Bring Him Back.
The wish Of the bank clerk is the VIII
of the Washington police. and it is prob
able Sturgis viii return TO Washington
in a few days, accompanied by a detec-
tive.
News of the arrest OF Sturgis reached
Washington last night when telegram
was received at police headquarters from
w. J. o'Connor, Inspector of police of
New Orleans. 1t said a man giving the
name Of J. Ward Sturgls had been ar
rested by Assistant Chief of Detectives
Daniel r. Mouney.
A reply was soon flashed over the wires.
requesting the New Orleans police 10 de-
tain Sturgis until the arrival of a Wash
ington police official. and adding that the
prisoner was wanted badly" in the Ma
tional Capital. The police OF this city
hold bench warrant and copy Of an in
dictment, charging Sturgis with forgery
and grand larceny
He Is accused OF stealing more than
$500 from the National Savings and
Trust Company. New York avenue and
Fifteenth street northwest.
The Washington authorities may not
succeed in obtaining CUSTODY OF the erst-
while bank clerk, for sturgis Is also
wanted I'm Chicago, the police say. on a
similar charge.
Chicago Sent Out Call.
4 few days ago the Washington police
were asked by the Bankers Association.
of Illinois, 10 arrest a young man known
as Frank NJ. Stevens, who forged checks
on customers accounts and attempted to
negotiate cashiers checks while work
/ ing in a bank in Chicago
The young man obtained a position in
| the bank by responding to an advertise
ment. being Installed as clerk on Febru-
| airy last In few days he gained the
name of a good worker" and officials
Of the bank believed they had employed
a trustworthy clerk.
Frank Stevens, as he was known, dis
appeared eleven days after he was en-
ployed, when. It is alleged. bank officials
. learned of his irregular transaction. The
request TO the police of this city TO arrest
Stevens bore a facsimile Of a check al
legged to have been forged by the default
/ ing clerk.
The check was for $50. drawn on the
Peoples Stock Yards Bank, dated Feb
ruary I6. 1910. and signed H. c. Laycock.
/ The handwriting was almost identical
with that on checks forged by Sturgis in
Washington. the police allege.
A description os Frank Stevens was
also sent to the Washington police.
When compared with a description Of
Sturgis. It was seen that Sturgis and
Stevens were one, or enough alike In
| appearance, the police say. to be twin
brothers.
Sturgis disappeared from Washington
/ on August q last It is charged he has
been forging checks and drawing on
dead" accounts in the bank where he
was employed for six months previous TO
the date Of his disappearance.
/ Notified by Police.
/ Shortly after Sturgis severed his con-
nections with che banking company. his
alleged illegal transactions were discov-
cred and the police were notified Detec-
tive Patrick OBrien began tracing the
/ fugitive 1t was learned that the day
/ following his disappearance and for sew
eral days Thereafter Sturgis was in New
! York City. where he stopped at a fash
/ ionable hotel. registering under an as
sumed name.
Stdrgis told friends just before leaving
| Washington that he intended spending
vacation in Canada, where he said he
could enjoy a few weeks hunting and
| fishing In New York he purchased q
/ hunting and fishing outfit and started for
/ the Dominion.
He stayed for several weeks at the
Mastigouche Cunning and Fishing Club
Of St. Gabriel de Brandon, near Quebec.
! Detective O'Brien traced him to the club
but after he left 1t the fugitive disap-
peared and trace Of him was lost
The United States Fidelity and Guar
anty Company of Baltimore and the Ma
| tional Security Company OF New York
/ City Jointly offered reward of $500 for
/ the arrest OF Sturgis
sturgis was member Of a church in
Washington and was generally regarded
/ as model young man. He was an ath-
/ lete of repute John R. Sturgis, proof
reader in the Government Printing Office,
/ father OF the bank clerk, with whom he
klived at 1914 Florida avenue northeast,