Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-23

the bank at the time the robbery oc-
CURED made 1t practically impossible
Tor any ono to have given particular
notice to n man lettering near VIM
hind the window efrectually prevented
Miss Ransome from seeing what was
taking place in the next booth.
LOOK FOR ROBBrsRs IN
BALTIMORE AND PHILADELPHIA
Correspondents of The Tmes-Dis
patch I'm Baltimore and Philadelphia
early this morning telegraphed this
paper that the police OF those cities
had been asked by tho Richmond po-
lice TO endeavor to locate the robbers.
Descriptions were furnished. supposed
ly Of the men who earlier In the day
had attempted to steal $4,000 from
the First National Bank. and the po-
lice OF the cities were also asked to
endeavor to trace them through their
rogues' galleries. According to the In
formation found In these dispat citss,
the Richmond police believe that the
robbers either took ar. early afternoon
train for the North or went to Nor
folk with the expectation of proceed
ing North by water.
Detective-Sergoant Wiltshire was
asked last night as to the authenticity
of the reports from the other cities
He admitted that he had succeeded In
getting line, as to the men's move
ments after the robbery OF the Cen
trail National Bank. but RETAINED from
discussing this portion Of the case at
that time. The detective said that any
contemplated work of the local de-
partment would be kept secret until
after something definite had resulted
THREE CHECKS on
PLANTERS' ARE FORGED
During the early afternoon officials
OF the Planters National Bank discov-
cred that three certified checks re-
turned to them from Lee FERGUSON,
Biggs Antique Furniture Company and
the Hall Optical Company, through the
American National Bank, were forge
ries. and SO notified the police and the
business houses concerned
THESE checks were presented to the
merchants named in payment for pur-
chases; and rs they were certified and
bore the signature. Of Richard II. Smith
cashier of the Planters. National Bank
they were cashed without question
TWO or the. checks were for $3.50 and
the other was for $3.50. Tho man or
men who presented them succeeded In
obtaining $3.50 on the $3.50 check
offered Biggs. the same amount on the
check for $3.50 given the Hall Optical
! Company, and S35 on the check given
Lee FERGUSON.
In each case these checks were made
payable to w. u. Bennett. and were
signed X. NJ. Simpson All of the
checks were dated December IS. and
each bore the certifcatfon stamp OF
the Planters National Bank. The sig
nature Of Cashier Smith had been
forged within the rubber stamp mark
| Ing. according to officials OF that In
stitution.
FORGED SIGNATURE OF
CASHIER IN CsRTIFICATION
Detective -Sergeants Wiltshire and
Bailey were sent to the Planters Bank
to investigate the checks as soon as
tho matter was reported to police head
| quarters. Tho detectives found that
persons In each of the three store.
where the checks were passed fur
nished different descriptions Of the
man who offered them. In no case
were the merchants able to give
I complete description OF the man or
men. and the difference in the general
appearances as noted by them led the
police to believe it possible that diff
ferent members of an organized gang
offered checks in the various stores.
AS In the case of the robbery Of the
Central National Bank. the police are
at loss for point at which to begin
their investigations. Representatives