The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-10-27


evening contained an account of the
arrest of well known Oklahoman.
Before going to Kansas City he left a
memento to Sam Parks of this city in
the way Of a worthless check for $40.
The following is what the Star says:
Henry B. Smith, who formerly was
arch-deacon of the southern half of
the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma and
rector of st. Phillips church of Ard
more, Okla, is in Kansas City, at the
prosecutors Office on charge Of pass
ing worthless checks If his own
statement is to be taken literally he
has been conducting himself in a man
ner that for unrestrained joyousness
seldom, If ever, has been exceeded
here Which introduces his statement,
corroborated by several persons.
Smith came here last Friday, as
agent for the Petroleum Development
company of Ardmore, OKLA He had
assumed that work after resigning, on
account of his health, the duties of
rector a year ago In the meantime,
Mr. Smith said. he had become addict
ed to the whisky and morphine habits.
Six weeks ago he sent his wife and
four children to stay with her parents
in Park City. Okla, while he went to
a sanitarium in Oklahoma City to seek
cure for his habits.
Last week he left the sanitarium, be-
Ilieving himself restored sufficiently to
take up business again. On the way to
Kansas City he began to drink. He
continued after reaching the Hotel
Baltimore. Then his fancy turned to
motoring.
Smith first hired touring car from
the Royal Motor company, in which he
toured some SIS worth, with two wo-
men he accumulated. He was so pleas
ed with the possibilities Of a motor
car that the day following he bought
one from the Chalmers Automobile
company, giving in exchange check
for 81 $50 on the National Bank of Ok
lahoma. The check was valueless.
Pending the delivery of the car
Smith obtained the Endorsement of J.
A. Nelson, president of the motor com
pany, on a personal check for $S5,
which he cashed at the Hotel BaIti-
more.
! But Mr.. Smith could not wait for the
arrival of the new car for more joy
rides. He hired car from the Lands
Auto company and ran up bill of SIT,
which he satisfied temporarily with a
worthless check. Also, he changed
his lodging to the Hotel Kupper, where
he was staying when arrested Myron
G. Albertson, president of the Royal
Auto company, says Mr.. Smith ar
ranged the purchase of another motor
car somewhere in the city. Mr.. Smith
says he may have done so, but does
not recall the particulars
At any rate the climax to his finan-
cial and motoring endeavors came on
Monday He presented a check for
$50 on the bank of Welch, Okla, at
the Southwestern National Bank, and
was told he must be identified That
was easy A young woman employed
in the bank as a stenographer was re-
ferred to by Mr., Smith. She had met
him year ago, she said, at Sulphur
Springs. and identified him readily.
When this last check was discovered
to be worthless Mr.. Smith was arrest
ed. He was registered under the name
of H. ]. Scott at the Kupper
At the prosecutors Office this after
noon, Mr.. Smith telephoned the Rev.
Father ]. Stewart Smith, rector of st.
Mary's Episcopal Church here. I'll be
right down. was the answer.
Il know Mr. Smith quite well" was
the rector's comment later. @At one