The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-07-19
A SLICK FORGER
BROUGHT To Time.
The Man was Manager of
Rogers Farm Co. at
Burbank.

The way ofthe transgreSSor is hard
especially so when he happens 10 be
man who has by education and training
been enabled TO mingle with the social
Iy elect. He drops further and the con
tact with the Jail floor is so much NOR,
startling when he finally comes TO an,
realizes where he is at. 1t is harde
still when the culprit happens, as il
this case, TO have trusting wife of thu
clinging variety.
There was such case on before Jus
tice John f. Marshall at the Cour
House Tuesday afternoon.
Austin Buxton, manager of the Roger.
Farm Co. at Burbank was being exam
ined for forgery. 1t was charged tha
on June 26th he had note discounted
which bore the signature and endorse
ment OF Ford II. Rogers of Detroit
Mich, the president of the company
BuXton's standing was vouched for by
Chas. II. Seig, president of the New
South Farm and Home Co. Mr.. Seig
simply knew Buxton 10 be the manager
OF the Rogers Co. and therefore natural.
ly took il for granted that he was all
right The forgery was discovered
later and through telegram of enquiry
to Mr.. Rogers, and Buxton's arrest fol-
lowed. He was arrested by the sheriff
OF Marion county on the 10th inst and
turned over TO Sheriff Kennerly, since
which date he has languished in the
county jail
Mr. Rogers came down from Detroit
and was present at the examination. He
Swore that neither the signature nor the
endorsement were his; the man had
been in his employ as manager only a
short time; came recommended as a
man who had had experience on wes
tern ranches; didn't know anything of
his previous history.
Buxton insisted that the note was
both made and endorsed by Mr.. Rogers.
He was defended by Attorney Walker
of Jacksonville.
Hilburn & Merryday prosecuted the
case and when they had concluded the
examination of witnesses there was no
doubt in the mind Of the court nor of
any of those present but that he man
was guilty of the charge. Judge Mar
shall held Buxton 10 the Circuit Court
in the sum OF 81 800 and as he could not
furnish the bond he was led back 10
Jail.
But ii was pathetic scene: Buxton
and his wife occupied chairs at the end
of the long table, and when it became
evident that the case was going against
her husband, Mrs. Buxton was overcome
with grief; her frame shook with sobbil e
and she fell weeping into her husbands S
arms The man did his best to comfort
her, but his efforts had little effect.
Buxton sat with an unlighted cigar in
his mouth and put on a bold front
throughout the examination. AS he
was led off 10 Jail the wife kissed him
good bye and went down the street
with his lawyer. She has gone TO
Ocala where she hopes TO secure
bond.
Buxton is styliShly dressed, genteel
looking man of average build and about
IS years of age. He cultivateS an aris-
tocratic little moustaSche and golee, and
wears nose glasses He has more the
appearance of French count than a
no count farmer. II is said that Buxton
has obtained money on forged paper
before in this state and that he had sue
ceeded in getting off by compromising
with the party whose name was forged. |
The evidence against him in this
case is so clear, however, that there is
little doubt but that he will bring up in
the State penitentary.