The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-03-04
SOUGHT BY SHOsHONE POLICE
j. Bruce Murray, the "Blue Book"
Man, is Wanted for Forgery in
ShOshOne, Idaho

:,
smooth and polished individual, who
has been travelling all over the state
in the interests of the Idaho Blue
Book" a publication which is sup
posed to contain biographies of the
Pioneers of Idaho and of Idaho's
best people, is being sought by the
police of Shoshone, where he is want
ed on a forgery charge of obtaining
money under false pretenses, as the
called Blue Book" has as yet
failed to materlize, and the easy ones
whose vanity was perhaps touched by
the smooth talk of the agent, have
not seen their life story in print, as
was promised them when they hand
ed over the subscription to Murray.
In furthering his interest in get
| ting subscriptions for the biographi-
cal sketches, Murray is alleged to have
used the name of Frank H. Parsons,
cashier of the Bank of Idaho, as
treasurer of the company and GUS
todain of the funds His operations
began early last fall and he worked
in towns all over the southern sec
ton of the state. From what has
been learned during the past few
weeks, it was easy picking and in
one town he was able to get S25
from each of five people, who were
very much interested>ip the blue
Book"
Frank H. Parsons, when seen yes
terday in regard to the matter, de-
clared that Murray was using his
name without any sanction from
him. 1T was some months ago."
said Mr.. Parsons, 'that Murray
came into the bank and wanted
money advanced on this project.
The scheme did not appeal to me
and | refused absolutely to advance
the money. That was the last
heard of the matter until some
months afterwards, when it reach
ed me through various sources that
Murray was using me as reference
and telling those with whom he was
endeavoring to do business that
was treasurer of the company and
custodian of funds. I have no con-
nection with the blue Book" at all,
either directly or indirectly. 1t is
certain that there is something
shady about the scheme for Murray
knows full well that | am not asso-
,iated with him.
Outside of the raising Of money
'or the book, which has every ap-
oearance of fake, Murray is want
I'd very badly down in Lincoln
county for forgery. He received
;heck for $40 fro1f>J. L. Baxter of
soldier. Baxter was Somewhat leery
# the scheme and made the check
payable to me as the supposed treas
lrer. Murray forged my name on
ne back and had it cashed by Matt
1cFall proprietor of the McFall house
n Shoshone.
"McFall is very anxious that MUIR
ay be apprehended and the charge
forgery will be preferred against
i'm. l expect that he has skipped
he country by this time, and it is
ute probable that he secured
mount of money. Those who wrote
me concerning the book and the
romises made by Murray, were very
luch surprised to learn had no con-
ection In any way with the publ
ation.
The scheme as worked by Murray. ~
as to go to the prominent men in an an
very city which he went to, and Co. g.,
ii them that the Idaho Blue Book" 10
as soon to be published and that W. W.
}, in the interests of the company. 70. TO-
as getting the biographies of the ny
st men in the state, and for a GER W.
in sum of money their history 80 90
ould be and included in the hand o GU;
me publication together with the p''
etches of Idaho's best and most
,nored citizens. That scores fell
r the scheme is evident. He men, F
med among other references in
Use, certain newspaper men who -
yer knew or heard of him or the +ho
ok either. wv
was very careful to con- ta pi
e his operations to towns outside W., NV
Boise, as no one in the capital OH
y Is known to have been bitten. CO
Murray was evidently long on 900
)mises, and in one instance it is ~
eyed that when he had been told
one man that he could not afford FRO,