The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-06-29

Thaddeus G. Yorke, one of the
cleverest swindlers and energetic
bank forgers of the last decade, was
arrested in Seattle yesterday, and
this is of general interest here from
the fact that Yorke purchased con-
siderable property at Lake Chelan
and also considered making invest
ments here. Yorke appeared at Che
Ian about six weeks ago and pur-
chased the G. w. Hoxsey property
on the lake shore. This consisted of
149 acres and the purchase price was
about $500 Yorke also purchased
several tracts of land east of Chelan.
He paid cash for everything and
posed as rich miner who had made
his stake in the gold fields region.
He was held in high esteem by those
who knew him at Chelan and cut
quite swath there. His arrest came
about through the aid of the Pink
ertons. Sheriff Ferguson today re-
ceived telegraphic instructions to
attach all property of Yorke's at
Chelan. Though Yorke had the
habit of getting into the banks pref
ty heavy in other places, it is not
thought that the Chelan Bank was
a loser. Evidently it was Yorke's in
tention to secure property at Chelan
on which he might settle down upon
later on. He is about forty years
of age and is a smooth appearing
man.
The particular charge upon which
Yorke was arrested was that of Fleece
ing the American Bank & Trust COM
pany, of klamath Falls, Oregon, out
of $500. In addition to that he is
charged with working Chicago
bank for $1,000, a Bellingham bank
for $4,000 and a Seattle bank for
1889, all in the past year.
In speaking of the case, Mr.. Whip
pie, assistant superintendent of the
Pinkertons, said that his capture was
made possible at this time because
when in Oregon Yorke had had oc-
casion to have his cork leg repaired
and a new key made for the knee
joint. Inadvertently he left the old
key, which the Pinkertons obtained.
The Pinkertons then caused inquir-
les to be made at every house in the
United States, Mexico and Canada
that manufactured cork legs until
1t found where the key had been
made. There York's alias was dis
covered and the work of following
him made easy.
York's Alleged System.
In all his operations York is
charged by the Pinkertons with fol-
lowing the same system, depositing
forged drafts drawn upon the First
National bank Of Lexington, KY,
with the bank selected as the VIC
tim, and then after a few days OF
large talk about buildings and other
improvements, gradually drawing
money until he had obtained as
much as he thought the bank would
stand for, when he would disappear.
In the case of the Seattle bank he
is charged with operating under the
name of M. w. Sutherland. His
other aliases are said to be N. NJ.
Sutherland, John w. Lee, Frank p.
Houston and George w. Hampton.
Yorke was formerly a telegraph
operator for the Northern Pacific at
Oakesdale, Wash, and was accused
OF stealing $3.50 from the office and
fifty-six bank express money orders.
The money orders were utilized, ac-
cording to Mr.. Whipple, to the ex-
tent Of about $4,000.
Yorke Known Here.
Yorke was employed at the local
depot in the year 1904. Harry
Crowl and a number Of other rail-
road employees know him very well
He was here almost a year, and