The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-12-13
DARING EFFORT TO
v|CT|M|zE A BANK
FO|LED,CROOKTAkEh
BY MEANS OF FAKE DRAFT TOM
WIDOWED sEcuPED FUNDS
IN COLUMBIA.
NOW IN CUSTODY or OFFICERS

Gave Columbia Bank & Trust Compa.
ny Draft on Texas Bank for $4,000
But Diligence OF Banks officIals
Saves institution From Loss.
A desperate and bold attempt tc
victimize the Columbia Bank & Trust
Company, by an alleged Texan giving
his name as Tom Mcdowell, was for
tunately nipped In the bud by the
alertness Of the banks cashier and
the quick work Of Nashville and Dick
son officers who affected the capture
Of the alleged crook lit Dickson while
on a train en- route to San Francisco
at late hour on Wednesday night.
The attempt to victimize the bank
was by means of a bogus draft drawn
upon bank at Austin, Texas by No.
Dowell for $4,000 and deposited in
the local institution. Mcdowell came
to Columbia about two weeks ago.
He had the appearance Of being a
prosperous farmer. He knew a mum.
Der OF people hereabouts having pre-
viously been here about two years
ago. There was nothing about his ap.
pearance to excite suspicion. Among
his acquaintances was a prominent
business man of the community, q
friend and customer OF the local
bank. To this acquaintance Mellow.
ell confided that he had $4,000 which
he wanted to invest here.
Seeking to do his bank favor this
friend brought Mcdowell to Cashier
Geo. Il. McKennon and introduced
him. The deposit was made. The 10.
called friend was simply duped and
his part In the transaction was in
perfect good faith.
Having made his deposit, Mcdowell
proceeded to make few purchases
from local merchants giving checks
on the local bank. These purchases
lprobably amounted to $50 and the
checks were paid. However, In or.
der to be absolutely on the safe side
Cashier McKennon wired to the hank
at Austin upon which the draft was
drawn. For some reason the nank
there did not reply to the telegram
and a second wire was sent which
ELECTED the information that the draft
was q bogus one. Immediately pay.
ment Of all checks was ordered stop.
ped.
However, Mcdowell had, the day
following the making Of the deposit,
secured an exchange or cashiers
check on the Nashville correspond
ent Of the Columbia Bank l. Trust
Company for $3.50. With this check
In his pocket Mcdowell went to Nash
vile. While In Nashville on Wednes-
day he made number Of purchases
Including $3.50 diamond ring from
la local jewelry store, about so In
silverware and from another store
some clothing.
The suspicious Of the Nashville
merchants being aroused the police
were notified but in the meantime NC
Dowell had left for other parts. Po-
lice were notified in other cities and
late last night the slick schemer was
taken from west bound passenger
train at Dickson and returned to
Nashville this morning.
4 As soon as he received intelligence
that the draft was bogus Cashier Nc
Kennon left at once for Nashville. ar.
irving there last night. When he
confronted Mcdowell, it is understood
that the latter made clean breast OF
affairs and pleaded for mercy. Nc.
Dowell had on his person the money
which he had procured from the cash
ier's checks and all Of the goods
bought in Columbia and Nashville for
which checks were given were taken
In charge as well as the money and
q ticket to San Francisco.
4 Su6lcient funds and goods have
been recovered to save the Columbia
Bank & Trust Company harmless
even for the small sum that was ad'
vanced. Through the diligence Of the
officers there will not be dollar OF
loss. Had the Texas bank promptly
replied to the telegram Of the local
cashier not dollar would have bssn
advanced.
4 It is admitted by all who came In
contact with Mcdowell that he is a
very smooth citizen. He seemed to
be familiar with old time residents Of
this section and even claimed to lie q
member of old families here and rak.
ed up acquaintances with local peo.
pie who once knew his "kinspeople."
His plea was that he had funds N In.
vest In a farm here and intended to
buy as soon as he could locate and